Your yard: Seed vs. Sod.

The grass doesn’t always have to be greener on the other side: all you need is a little information to make the lush lawn you’ve dreamed of a reality!

There are two ways to create a beautiful lawn, each with their merits.

1. Sod. Sod are rolls of grass that have been grown professionally. They are installed by spreading out the rolls across your yard.

2. Seed. Rather self-explanatory, seeding your lawn simply means to spread grass seed in your yard and grow your own grass.

Money, Money, Money

Sod is by far more expensive than seed because you are essentially paying someone to grow grass for you.

Time

With sod, you can have a new lawn in a jiffy. The fall and spring are the best times to lay sod, but as long as plenty of water is available, it can be done at any time. Once it is spread, sod needs relatively little maintenance, though it should be aerated in the first couple of years to break the boundary between the existing soil and the soil that came with the sod.

Seed takes much longer to grow and should be planted in early fall for the best results. After planting, seed needs constant attention and water. In some places, it may not germinate and will require reseeding, which can be frustrating.

Pros and Cons

Sod is great for slopes or places where erosion has occurred (seed tends not to do well in these locations) but doesn’t do as well in shade. Sod is much cleaner because you don’t need to worry about mud. But, sod is not guaranteed to be weed free, which may be a nuisance in the future.

Seed comes with more selection (sod only comes in certain types of grass) and will likely provide a stronger root system. However, it can be quite the mess! Moreover, while seed is weed free, there is no guarantee that weeds will not crop up.

The Soil

Whatever you choose, make sure that your soil is in the right condition for grass. If you’re unsure if your soil is at its best, then you can conduct an at home soil test and add the correct fertilizer to create optimal conditions. Grass (whether seed or sod) does the best in sandy loam soil.

Remember, grass is always greener on the side you water.

Written by
Taylor Beaudry

Send your questions or qualms to Alpine Vista Landscapes at [email protected] or 403-701-7544