In most everyone's thinking, no yard is complete without grass. So, we designed a small, tidy patch of turf. Just a single pallet of sod went into creating this half-circle lawn. If this looks too difficult, don't worry. Laying a small amount of sod yourself isn't that tough, and we teach you exactly what you need to know.

Soil preparation is the key to having a nice lawn. We installed this one in a couple of hours, but getting the soil ready took about twice as long. Never buy sod until your soil is prepared and weed free, because it should not be allowed to sit on the pallet for more than one to two days.

Three weeks prior to laying our sod, we sprayed the site with Roundup to kill any weeds. A few days before starting to lay the sod, we tilled a pickup truckload each of topsoil and coarse sand thoroughly into the existing soil. Adding the extra topsoil and sand allowed us to raise the center of the lawn to ensure excellent drainage.

We selected 'Emerald' Zoysia for turf because its narrow leaf blades mesh together making a thick, cushiony carpet. It also grows well in sunny locations. Other warm-season turf grasses that work in these conditions are Bahia, Bermuda, buffalo grass, carpet grass, centipede, and St. Augustine. Bahia and St. Augustine are common in Florida, while buffalo grass is mostly grown in Texas.

If you live in the Upper South or upper Middle South, you may prefer a cool-season grass such as perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, or tall fescue that stays green all winter. Tall fescue also grows well in the upper half of the Lower South, provided it's watered regularly and grown with some shade. Centipede and Bermuda are common across the Middle South as well as the upper part of the Lower South.

If you don't know what type of turf you need, check with your local county Extension agent. Drive around neighborhoods in your area, and don't be scared to ask homeowners what kind of grass they have. Most people with nice lawns are proudly willing to share information.

Laying sod is hard work, but homeowners who don't mind getting dirty can do small areas. Just remember after the sod has been set out, you'll need to water, water, water.

During the first few weeks after sodding, the top 1 to 2 inches of ground should not be allowed to dry out. This is when the grass roots need to grow into the topsoil. Light daily waterings may be necessary to keep the soil damp the first couple of weeks. Avoid sodding during dry periods. Sod placed next to paved areas may need to be spot watered because these areas tend to dry out faster. As the turf roots in, water less frequently, but for longer periods. Lengthy waterings encourage the roots to grow deep into the soil. Try to keep people and pets off new turf. Walking across damp sod causes it to be lumpy.

Don't cut the grass until it has grown a couple of inches. Then, set your mower on its highest setting, and cut a strip to make sure you're not scalping the turf. Adjust your mower so that you remove only the top one-third of the grass blades. Cut your grass often or on a weekly basis while it's actively growing. For a manicured golf course look, invest in a reel-type mower.

Most grasses are heavy feeders and need steady doses of fertilizer. Use a timed-release lawn fertilizer that feeds over a period of weeks or months. Most grasses need a fertilizer formula that's high in nitrogen and lower in phosphorous and potassium, however, the necessary ratio varies according to the type of grass and the time of year. Look for a fertilizer specifically labeled for your type of grass, and apply according to directions on the bag. Never overfertilize. Too much nitrogen and too little water can burn a lawn and kill it.

To keep your lawn neat looking and in bounds, use a string trimmer once a week during the growing season to edge along sidewalks, driveways, and flowerbeds. Cut a trench around flowerbeds with a flat shovel once a year.

If you need turf, be sure to choose one that's right for you. To minimize maintenance, limit the amount of grass in your yard. A small attractive lawn can make a big impact.