**Sod vs Seed
SPRING – It’s almost here! The snow and ice are starting to melt and you are looking forward to seeing that lush, green lawn but what you start to see as you look around is vastly different than you anticipated.
You see the “ugly” yellow patch, the discoloured section on the “that” corner, or the brown section of nothing but dirt beside the curb. It’s the construction damaged, pet damaged, salt damaged, plow damaged, patchy areas of NOT green stuff that you are disappointed in seeing.
How do we fix this?
Inevitably, if you ask a group of friends one will say “Lay sod down” and another will say “No, sod won’t take there, you need to seed it”.
The good news they are both correct, the bad news is it’s a little more complicated in choosing which one is best.
There are many factors to consider when deciding Seed vs. Sod particularly in high traffic areas.
In both case soil preparation is necessary.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both:
SOD
PROS
- Produces an instant lawn
- Best laid in fall or spring
- Can be used to stop soil erosion
- Cheaper soil preparation
CONS
- Expensive
- Moderate installation
- Expensive material with less variety
- Requires moderate soil preparation
- Can be high maintenance for two weeks
SEED
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Easy to install
- Lot of variety
CONS
- Takes up to 2 years to produce a law
- Best laid in fall
- High maintenance (first months)
- Cannot be used to stop soil erosion
- Weeds may mix in with the grass
There are additional factors to consider when deciding if Sod or Seed will work best for a particularly area.
What is the condition of the soil? What are the growing conditions? How quickly do you want results? Do you have the patience to wait? What time of year is it? (Laying Sod in July is not recommended) Is the area favoured by pets?
What is your budget?
As well, watering is a factor, seeding or sodding requires quite a bit of water. If you don’t have an irrigation system, you will need a hose, sprinkler and water source to ensure the area gets the amount of water it needs to flourish.
Whether you choose Sod or Seed, it is wise to protect your investment.
Once the grass has been established, ensure you continue to nurture your lawn. Regular maintenance, cutting, aerating, fertilizing and weeding will ensure your grass/lawn is resistant to the elements and you have a lush, green lawn for years to come.
For more information on our sodding and seeding services click here.
*Resources; Fixr.com