Our Cash Crop Pays Us $6,534.00 An Acre

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I must admit that I was somewhat pessimistic when we placed our first 75¢ ad in the Penny Press. After all, who is going to be interested in buying someone ,else's lawn? Lots of people, that's who! It wasn't long after that initial ad appeared until we were out there in our little field, cutting and rolling sod.

AND HERE'S HOW YOU CUT IT

If you keep your stand of grass mowed down to a height of one and a half or two inches—leave it a little longer in hot climates, so it won't scorch—you'll always be ready to cut an order of sod on one day's notice. And do cut and roll your sod only on order: This "crop" is somewhat fragile and should be kept moist and put in place in its new home as quickly as possible.

The night before you're to deliver an order of sod (or, if you're lucky, the night before you're to prepare it for pickup), flood or soak the area to be harvested. Really wet it down. Drench it.

Then, the next morning—using stakes and string to keep the rows straight—mark that section of your plot off in strips that measure either 1" X 5' or 2' X 5' (sections of sod this size are relatively easy for one or two people to handle).

Now you're ready to cut! We do the job with a sharp—the sharper, the better—lawn edging tool. Just use the implement to cut a line two or three inches deep all the way around one of the sections you've marked off. Then insert the edger under one end of the strip, nudge up a two-inch-thick "pod" of roots and soil, and start rolling the sod into a "jelly roll".

If you try to peel up less than two inches of roots and dirt, your sections of sod won't hold together very well. Nor will the strips stick together the way they should if they're too dry. So wet your sod down really good the night before you cut it and then skin off a good, consistent two inches of soil and roots as you roll up each section.

ADDITIONAL TIPS AND INSIGHTS

The beat sod commands the best price, so—as you cut and roll it—cover each strip of the "harvest" with wet burlap. It's also a good idea to keep the rolls shaded. redampen the burlap as necessary, and—of course—see to it that the sod is laid in its new home as quickly as possible.

In most cases, you'll find that your customers will want you to cut, roll, and deliver the sod they buy. The purchaser will then pay you 15¢ a square foot and lay the sod himself. It you're requested to do that part of the job too, however, your price should escalate into the 20 to 26¢ range. It's up to you to decide whether or not you want to get into that end of the business.

Some states insist that all sod raised for commercial sale must be sprayed with pesticides before it's hauled from one location to another. Other states have no such law on the books. Check out the situation In your area before you're ready to make your first sale, instead of after.

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