The Advantages of Sod

Establishment

• Sod is the quickest way of establishing a yard. Gardeners sod delivered in the morning and then have a lush-looking lawn by late afternoon, depending on yard size. For those not willing to wait for grass seed germination or sprigs spreading, sodding is the best choice. Site preparation before sod arrives is important to its success. Sod doesn't produce healthy growth on top of unprepared soil.

Timing

• Sod is the quickest way of establishing a yard. Gardeners sod delivered in the morning and then have a lush-looking lawn by late afternoon, depending on yard size. For those not willing to wait for grass seed germination or sprigs spreading, sodding is the best choice. Site preparation before sod arrives is important to its success. Sod doesn't produce healthy growth on top of unprepared soil.

Weeds

• Lawns plagued by weed growth benefit from sodding. Colorado State University recommends renovating a lawn with sod because of weed growth or other problems. Weed seeds easily germinate on top of bare soil or within thinning grass, because of the lack of competition from other vegetation. Sod competes with weeds for the soil's nutrients, air circulation and sunlight. Grass seed has a difficult time competing with weeds. Unless it quickly establishes, you can have an unhealthy lawn full of weeds.

St. Augustine

• St. Augustine grass is a warm-season turf used in the Southern United States. Seeds for St. Augustine grass are difficult to find or not available in many nurseries, so gardeners buy sod. St. Augustine grass is often used for planting in shady parts of the lawn. Few warm-season grass types survive shade. Sod gives gardeners the opportunity to plant shady parts of the yard that hold up during hot temperatures.