What are the Pros and Cons of Sod vs Seed Grass?

October 28, 2022 Joshua Ramirez

Sod and seed grass are two popular choices for people who want to quickly and effectively add green space to their property. If you’re trying to decide between sod and seed grass, you’ll have a lot of factors to consider, as each type of grass has its pros and cons. This article will take a look at these two options in-depth and will help you choose the right kind of grass for your needs and property.

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Sod vs Seed Grass

Your lawn could use some sprucing up, but there are pros and cons to both sodding and seeding your property. Check out this guide for the lowdown on sod vs seed grass so you can make the best decision for your lawn!

What is Sod Grass

Sod is a piece of turf that has been harvested from a lawn and made into a roll. Sod can be used to quickly establish green grass in an area, but it will require more maintenance to keep it looking good. Sod also requires watering to survive during droughts or if there is no rain for extended periods.

It takes six months for the sod to grow deep roots which makes it susceptible to drying out quicker than seed-sown grasses.

Sod may need as many as two mowings per season where as seed-sown grass may only need one.

What is Seed Grass

Seed grass is best for those who have time to grow their lawn from scratch. You must prepare the ground, sow seeds, and then wait a few weeks for them to germinate before you can water them. This process can take up to six weeks, but it ensures that your lawn will be green all year round.

It is more suitable for those who want instant results.

Sod vs Seed

Sod is the grass that has been pre-grown in a nursery, whereas seed grass is grown from seeds. It provides instant green lawns while seed grass can take months to grow. Sod provides a lush green lawn, but needs more water and fertilizer than seed grass. When it comes to cost, sod is more expensive than seed grass because it has already been grown in a nursery which includes labor costs. If you want instant gratification, sod will be a better option for you, but if you have time on your side and money on your mind, then seed grass might be the better option.

You will also need an area larger than 200 square feet to use sod because it doesn’t come in small patches like seeds do. With seed grass, you’ll spend less time mowing the lawn because of its quick growth. With either choice there is some work involved; with sod, you’ll have to keep watering and fertilizing it regularly or with seed grass, you’ll need to wait for 4-6 months before it’s ready for mowing. However, sod is always looking lush and green no matter what season it is. It can take up to 6 weeks for the sod to arrive at your home once you’ve placed an order with a sod company in Seattle. Many other factors should be considered when deciding between these two options so make sure to look into them both before making a decision.

Sod and seed grass are two different ways to create a new lawn. While both approaches provide lush, green grass, the similarities end there. Here are some pros and cons of sod vs seed grass to help you decide which way will be best for your lawn.

Pros & Cons of Sod Grass

Sod Grass Pros

The roots grow much faster with sod than they would with seed grass.
Sod doesn’t have to be watered as often as seed grass, which makes it less work for homeowners who don’t want to spend hours on end tending to their lawns.
Sod is much more forgiving than seed grass. If you make a mistake while watering or fertilizing your sod, you won’t need to worry about all of your hard work being wasted because sodded areas will bounce back after a short time.
Many people choose sodding because it takes very little effort to maintain over several months.
One major downside to sod is that it can cost an arm and a leg if you’re looking for quality high-end varieties like zoysia grass or Bermuda turfgrass.

Sod Grass Cons

Sod is usually more expensive than seed grass.
It takes less time to install sod than it does to plant seed grass.
Sod grass can be difficult to maintain, especially if you do not have a lawn service come out regularly to help with mowing and trimming.
Sod may require watering during the summer months.
If your dog has an accident on your lawn, you will need to remove all of the sod in that area and start again from scratch. -Sod grass can be difficult for a beginner to install themselves as there is more work involved.
Some people say that seeded grass looks better than sod when it’s fully grown.

Pros & Cons of Seed Grass

Pros of Seed Grass

Outdoor lawns have a natural look because they are not completely uniform in appearance.
Seed grass is cheaper than sod, especially if you can find it on sale.
In most cases, seed grass will require less maintenance than sod.
Seeding is usually done over weeks versus one day for sod installation.
Seeding may take longer to establish than sod installation. -It’s hard to match the color of newly seeded lawns with existing landscaping, so your yard might look mismatched until new growth has time to fill in.
Purchasing seed grass means that you’ll be responsible for watering, fertilizing, and maintaining your lawn yourself. If this sounds like too much work or too much money, then installing sod might be right for you.

Cons of Seed Grass

It takes more time to grow than sod.
It can be difficult to find seed grass in certain areas.
There is a higher risk of soil erosion with seed grass because it is thinner than sod.
It requires more maintenance, such as watering, fertilizing, aerating, and mowing.
Mowing needs to be done more often for seed grass, which means it’s not easy on your lawnmower blade.
Seeding may require specialized equipment that may not be readily available everywhere you go (lawnmowers don’t always have attachments for seeding).