Seed or Sod?

Acquiring and maintaining a beautiful lawn can be tricky business:  There are lots of questions, and the answers can sometimes be elusive.  Many times there is no right or wrong — it’s just a matter of deciding what works best for you.  The choice between installing sod or growing grass from seed is just such a question.

When faced with an existing lawn, your first decision is whether to work with what’s there or start over.  As a general rule, if your lawn has less than 40 percent weeds, improving what you have is a viable option. It takes diligence; but aerating, overseeding, and eliminating the weeds from existing grass can turn marginal lawns around.  If your lawn has more than 40 to 50 percent weeds or numerous areas of dead or struggling grass, it’s best to start from scratch.

When establishing a new lawn, a common question homeowners asked is, “Should I seed or sod?” The answer to this question is different for everyone depending on the area or lawn in question, as well as how much time and money you want to invest.

Look to our next post that lists some of the advantages and disadvantages of each method.