Sod Vs. Seed

Cost

• The cost of purchasing rolls of sod is higher than purchasing grass seed. In addition to the price of the sod, you have to pay the delivery cost unless you transport the weighty rolls of sod to the planting site yourself. Seed packets are cheaper than sod anytime and easier to transport. The initial establishment cost and labor cost of grass seed is cheaper.

Installation

• The method of preparing the soil prior to seeding or sodding is the same. While seeding time is limited to late spring or early fall, you can lay sod anytime during the growing season. Spread 4 to 5 lbs. of your desired grass seed per 1,000 square foot area using a fertilizer spreader. To ensure complete coverage, apply half the amount in one direction and the other half in the opposite direction. Rake the seeds lightly to cover them 1/4-inch deep in the soil.

  Lay sod on slightly moistened soil, along the longest and straightest part of your garden or yard. Stagger the joints like brickwork to give the area a natural appearance. Lay rolls flush against each other to keep weeds from infiltrating the space. Run a lawn roller half filled with water over the area to help the roots maintain good contact with the soil.

Establishment

• Although the initial establishment cost of sod is higher, it provides instant gratification because it rewards the homeowner with a lush carpet of lawn over the bare area. Sod covers mud and dirt completely and controls soil erosion. When rolled properly and flush against each other, the rolls of sod prevent weeds from growing in between, thus reducing competition for soil nutrients and moisture. Although seeding provides a wide variety for selection, it requires constant effort until established. Seeding a lawn poses threat of erosion and provides chances for competing weeds to establish. Foot traffic can kill grass blades before they mature, which limits activity on the grass for three to four weeks after planting.

Considerations

• Because grass seed is lightweight, it has a greater chance of being washed away with rain or wind when planted on a slope or hill. For this reason consider planting sod on hilly areas and those exposed to soil erosion. Although both sod and seed require constant moisture during the first two to three weeks after planting, sod dries out slower than seed because of its established roots. It is easier to reseed a bare patch in the garden as opposed to laying sod there.