Grass Seed or Sod: How to Choose

Everybody wants to leave an impression on their friends and family where their home is concerned. Just focusing on the walls of your house is not enough to make a statement. Your front curb, your lawn or even your backyard can work wonders and leave people in awe of your housing skills.

If you plan on improving your landscape or if you’ve got a new property, you’re probably asking yourself a question that everyone that has been in your shoes has asked — seed or sod? Which one is better?

Read on as we investigate the advantages and disadvantages of both, and hopefully, you’ll be able to answer the question yourself.

First, Let us Understand What Sod and Seed Are Individually

Sod or turf is grass that remains attached to a small part of the soil. The root system of the grass acts like a glue that holds together the soil and the grass blades together. Or in other words, it is the surface of the ground. If you choose sod, you get a carpet of grass that has been maintained by a specialist. It may not be easy to install and as such professionals have to be hired.

The seed is a small embryonic plant that is encased in the seed coat, sometimes even with food. When seeds are buried in the right conditions, they turn into plants. If you choose seed, it’s a very simple method that requires the investment of time so be prepared for that. You have to bury the seeds in the soil and then water it. Though this can be done by you, you can hire people as well.

The Main Differences between Seed and Sod Explained

Here, we have listed out the main differences between seed and sod. This will help you make a more informed decision based on your needs and preferences.

Seed vs. Sod: Overall Appearance

The good news is that both seeds and sod come in a wide array of grass types. Seeds are available in a variety of choices but they take way longer to fill in the lawn. Sod is way more efficient here. You will not have to worry about empty spaces and your lawn will be ready in a day.

If you want your lawn to look a specific way, you should pick seed. But, choose sod if you want quicker results.

Seed vs. Sod - Total Expense Incurred

The process of seeding has a very low cost when compared to sod. Sod will always be more expensive even when we purchase the best quality seed mix in the market. The reason for the increased cost is because you get a mature turf that has been completely cared for by someone else. So, when you buy sod, you are paying for that person’s time and materials used for growing the grass. Then there are the installation charges. Again, sod needs to be planted by professionals and as such are costlier. Labour charge for sod is nearly 3 times to 8 times more than seed.

If you have a tight budget, seeding should definitely be your pick. As sod has a way higher price point.

Seed vs. Sod - General Maintenance to be Done

Whether you pick seed or sod, you have to maintain your lawn for it to be in top condition. Even after installing, both will require a little care. Sod needs daily watering after laying out. After 45 days, it has to be mowed by cutting around 3 inches of the grass blade.

The maintenance required for seeding is much more. It needs daily watering after installation. You will have to keep in mind certain conditions when watering as seeds should not be watered all at once. It may even require special fertilizers to facilitate growth.

If you do not have time, sod should be your pick. Seeds require a lot of time and effort, especially in the initial stages.

Hence, seed and sod, both have their own set of pros and cons. Choose one which is more suited to your needs, preferences, and budget. The end result will be the same but the time to achieve the result will differ. But, the most important factor to have a flourishing garden is your soil. You have to prepare your soil in the best way possible. We’ll recommend a soil test so that you know the characteristics of your soil and can prepare it accordingly.

Resources— Garden WeaselPennington

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