The Cedar Grove topsoli is fine :-) It is not pure topsoil anyway but enriched with Cedar Grove compost. And use the sod roller before laying as well. This will help to smooth and settle the soil. And rake to smooth and even the level first.

With laying sod, fertilizing immediately is not a concern. Let it establish first. And summer fertilization of PNW lawns is not very highly encouraged or recommended. Just requires too much watering.

I would recommend using a power raker on low to etch up the soil before. It doesn't really need the extreme turnover that a rototiller gives. You still need to get it etched up enough to have a smooth transition line for the roots to start establishing in. With this, you also don't have to smooth things out as much. Just use a metal rake to grade it perfectly before laying. Also, regular topsoil is perfect.

Also, you probably don't need the roller before or after. Using it before will compact the soil and if the ground is flat enough before applying the sod, there is no need for it after!

We always use a starter fertilizer after the sod is applied. Helps give it that extra boost to get the roots growing.

Goodluck!

Rolling sod or seed both before and after application is SOP.....at least here in the PNW. And starter ferts are just a marketing ploy....neither the seed nor the sod require it. All the sod need to grow is solid contact with the soil - which the rolling will ensure - and adequate water to get established.

SOP = Standard Operating Procedure

Tilling isn't really necessary. Just rough up the underlying soil as best you can and lay the topsoil on top. Much less chance for settling or unevenness to occur.

Thanks Gardengal, that would be nice to save a step but I wonder if your answer would change if the soil is currently pretty compacted? Previous people had liners and hay layed over this area so it is a little more compacted then the typical soil. I suppose a good watering and raking would help as well.

Do you have an old kitchen knife you can use? That will work perfectly well (do not believe the hori-hori is sharp enough). I also have used an old pruning saw that I recycled for this sort of usage. I would not go out and buy a tool specifically for this purpose......unless you anticipate laying a whole lot more sod!!

thanks! actually once I got the groove of it, the hori ended up working good enough. im almost done but I think it looks pretty good for a newbie. the 2nd picture was the before.

The sod looks great, but too bad you had to get rid of the yellow flowering groundcover and rowboat. :-(

Is that your new Usu Midori I see on the far right? Looking good!!