Art of Horticulture students create sod sofa

sod sofa

Taking advantage of the great weather this afternoon, students in the Art of Horticulture (HORT 2010) installed a crescent-shaped sod sofa in front of Fernow Hall on Tower Road. The experience is as much about building teamwork among the students as it is creating a living work of botanical art says  Marcia Eames-Sheavly, Senior Extension Associate and Senior Lecturer in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science, who teaches the course.

“It’s got a great view of the sculpture in front of Fernow, alumni field and the hills beyond campus,” she says.

Frank Rossi, associate professor and turf specialist in the Horticulture Section, provided additional coaching, and shared lively guidance that ranged from the science of working with turf, to how to lay sod. Cornell Grounds Department collaborated to have the materials on site, and supported the work in numerous ways.

The sofa needs a few days to firm up and dry out. So best to test feel the sod with your hand before testing it out.

View pictures and video of previous sod sofa installations.

Shaping the compost and topsoil that make up the base of the sofa.
Shaping the compost and topsoil that make up the base of the sofa.
Frank Rossi, associate professor and turf specialist in the Horticulture Section
Frank Rossi, associate professor and turf specialist in the Horticulture Section coaches students in shaping the base.
Art of Horticulture students install sod over the base.
Art of Horticulture students install sod over the base.
Testing comfort after sod installation.
Testing comfort after sod installation.

Time lapse of the installation:

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