At Bōde we want to ensure our homeowners have access to the best home service providers in your local area and will connect you with vetted Prōs to provide value at every step of the home transaction and owning experience.
Meet CLS Landscape! Your one stop shop for quality landscape materials. Let their experienced team help you prepare material estimates, coordinate deliveries, or carefully load your vehicle with your next weekend project.
The team at CLS Landscape Supply share the vision and values of their community and are driven by the idea that the best work is born from diligence, craftsmanship and passion.
Whether you just purchased your new home, looking to make some improvements before selling, or simply want to make some upgrades to your abōde CLS Landscape have some valuable How-To Guides and breadth of info in their Knowledge Center. Don’t feel like picking up the shovel? Ask one of their team members about quality installation services to help you achieve your dream space.
Some How-To Guides to Help you Create your Dream Outdoor Space
Written by Kaylee Stanlick, CLS Landscape
How to Install Sod
Laying sod can be labour intensive. It is best to install sod with a helper, and ensure that you take adequate breaks, especially during warm temperatures. The ground should be fully prepared prior to receiving your order of sod to ensure your sod is laid when fresh.
To prepare the ground for sod:
1. Remove all debris from the area.
2. Grade and shape the ground to your desired contours.
3. Topsoil should be at a depth of 8-10cm. Add more topsoil if needed.
4. Prepare the soil by rototilling one way and then the other. Add fertilizer at a rate of 20lbs per 1000sf, and rake or rototill to a depth of 5cm.
5. Rake the top 3cm to a smooth even surface and roll lightly.
**HOP compost is a great additive to the top layer of your topsoil if you are lacking nutrients. Also, spreading some of our Scotts Lawn Starter before laying sod gets your sod off to a great start!
As mentioned, sod should be laid within 24 hours. Stack sod in the shade prior to use.
To install sod:
1. Locate a straight line, such as a curb or driveway, or run a taut string up the middle of the area to be sodded. Work along this line to establish the first row.
2. Smooth the area immediately before you sod. Lay the sod in a staggered bond fashion to minimize the appearance of lines and running bonds. Lay all joints butted tightly together, but not overlapping.
3. Cut the sod with a sod knife or hatchet along edges or curves.
4. Using a lawn roller, filled one-third, go over the entire laid area. This ensures that the roots are pressed to the soil, ensuring they will root well.
5. Water the area immediately after installation. The soil should be moist to a depth of 4cm.
How to Lay a Patio
We get a lot of customers who are looking to save money by installing either a natural stone or a paving stone patio or walkway themselves. We don’t mince words when we help these customers – laying a patio is a lengthy and labour-intensive undertaking. However, if you are up to the task, you can save money by completing the work yourself. We always recommend researching the subject fully and following the specific installation instructions of the manufacturer of the product you are installing.
Remember, the base is the most important part of any installation – it’s a lot of work to dig down 6+ inches, but by providing this good base, your patio will last years and years to come. It’s much more work to have to lift and re-lay a patio again the following year!
Barkman and Rosetta Stone installation instructions can be found here.
Expocrete/Belgard installation instructions can be found here.
Build a Wall
Building small garden walls are well within the range of doable DIY projects that can be completed by the homeowner. Retaining walls on the other hand require engineering and special consideration of site conditions and surcharges, which may be out of the scope of what most homeowners can handle on their own. We firmly recommend utilizing the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer of the specific wall products that you are installing.
The key to successful retaining wall construction is a level foundation of blocks. Your wall will be much easier to build if you start with a level base and level each additional course as you go. The foundation course must be partially below ground level so that the soil holds it firmly in place.
Barkman and Rosetta Stone wall installation instructions can be found here.
Belgard wall installation instructions can be found here.
