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To Seed or Sod Your Lawn…THAT is the Question

So you need a new lawn, but you aren’t sure whether you should seed it or buy sod. When you choose sod, you are essentially transplanting a mature turf to your property which has been grown and nurtured by a professional. When you choose seed, the same process is used, but you are growing it in your yard from the ground up. You could hire a professional to seed your lawn as well, or do it yourself.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each can help you make an informed decision as to which one you should choose.

Cost

Seed is better for the budget conscious. Even if you splurge on the best seed mix, you will still be saving money, as compared to buying sod.

Sod is a much more expensive option because you are paying for time and materials for growing the grass and just having it installed in your yard.

Time

Seed obviously takes much longer because you have to plant it, wait for it to sprout, then grow…not to mention the watering. Seed demands a lot of time and attention. It is better to plant it in early fall because there is less chance of having issues with weeds as compared to the spring. There is also a chance that you may have to reseed due to poor germination in some areas or wash outs from heavy rain or irrigation

Need an instant lawn? Go from dirt to green in a day with sod! The installers will transport it to your property and roll out the pieces like a rug. Fall and spring are the best times of year to install sod. Roots can also get established quicker than seed (which are critical for the health and longevity of the grass), however, sod may not root as well. You will also be able to walk on it soon after installation.

Weeds

Sod is ideal for erosion-prone or sloped areas where seed would have a tough time surviving.  Sod is not always guaranteed to be free of weeds like seed is.  Sod can also shrink and leave spaces which weeds can easily invade.  When sod is laid, it should overlap to help prevent this.

Placement

Seed can be frustrating in the sense that you may have to reseed. This is because sometimes germination doesn’t take in spots or seed can be washed away. Seed is also messy because of the exposed dirt – it can become dusty or muddy.

Types

There are only certain types of grass for sodding, so your options are limited.  There is a wide variety of seed options, however, so you can choose what would work best for your environment and what will grow well in your area.

Soil

Regardless if you decide to seed or sod, the investment you place in soil preparation is crucial. Nothing will grow properly if there are issues with your soil. Therefore, it is very important to have your soil tested. The effort you put forth in ensuring that you have a solid base to work with will make a world of difference in terms of having a beautiful lawn.

Questions about seeding or sodding your lawn? Need lawn maintenance? Contact ATC Landscape today and be one step closer to having the lawn that your neighbours will envy!

Proudly serving the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody), Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge since 2001.

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