'Planting New Seeds or Sod Installation'-Find Out All Pros & Cons

If you are a new homeowner looking to finish up your landscape soon, a common question often asked is, "Should I seed or sod?" The best way to decide between grass sod and grass seed for your yard is to examine the advantages and drawbacks of both.

Sod: it is also known as turf, typically grown on specialized farms, where grass seeds are sown and nurtured under controlled conditions. Once the grass has matured and developed a strong root system, it is harvested by cutting it into rolls or squares, along with a thin layer of soil.

Seed: Growing grass from seed, Involves planting and sprouting your grass. Can be done yourself or hired out.

Soil analysis-- Before you install your sod or reseed your lawn, you should always start with a soil test. If you have low organic matter or nutrients, you need to apply specific supplementation for what you lack. You must start with good soil before adding sod or new grass seed. A good head start is always to furnish a healthy lawn long-term.

Advantages and drawbacks of Seeding

Advantages  

1. Planting seeds in new lawns or established ones are way less expensive than laying sod.
2. Grass seed can be used to repair bare patches of an existing lawn.
3. There are more grass types available for seeding. You can choose the best varieties of grasses and cultivars that are specific to your climate and even your specific soil.
4. Seeding a lawn is more DIY-friendly than sod installation. Just carefully monitor the lawn throughout the growing season and water regularly. Diligent care and maintenance can lead to a lush, healthy seed-grown lawn.
5. With seed, your grasses continue to grow in the same place where they germinate and produce a deeper root system.

Drawbacks

1. The most significant drawback of seeding is the time it takes to develop a mature grass stand. Initial establishment takes a longer time, also improper timing leads to failed seed or weak grass vulnerable to insects and disease.
2. Some unwanted weeds are likely to grow on bare soil. Grass seeds are vulnerable to weeds for water, light and nutrients.
3. The area is inaccessible until the seed is fully grown.
4. Until roots establish, seed and soil can wash away or pool in heavy rains and void your efforts.

Advantages and drawbacks of Sod

Advantages

1. With sod installation, you can create a near-instant lawn that will become well-established in just two to three weeks with proper installation and maintenance.
2. Sod can be installed anytime in the growing season, except in very high heat.
3. You can get instant accessibility to the area with sod.
4. It is grown on specialized farms. So good quality, state-certified sod has few or no weeds.
5. Sodded lawns control soil erosion on slopes. Sod works as a blanket to help hold soil in place from the start.

Drawbacks

1. Sod install carries a higher price tag than comparable grass seed coverage.
2. You need to hire trained professionals for sod installation. Improper installation leads to poor rooting and failed unsightly lawns.
3. Sod installation requires bare soil so you can’t lay it on the existing lawn.
4. Sod isn’t always available in a wide range of varieties because it has a short 24-hour transplanting period. This means fewer choices matched to your unique home and lawn goals.

Both seed and sod have a place when restoring your lawn. Your choice will ultimately come down to time, budget, and how quickly you need to be able to use the lawn.