There is nothing more beautiful than a lush, thick, vibrant green lawn. Everyone desires to have a nice lawn that makes their house and property really stand out.
If your lawn is currently less than ideal and you are fed up with dull, patchy grass then you might benefit from installing sod.
Whether you’re inheriting a property without a lawn or just wanting to start over, the first thing to decide is if you should use grass seed or sod placement. Below we will explore several pros and cons of using sod.
What Is Sod
Sod, also commonly known as turf grass, is cut sections of grass that have already matured.
It is grown by professionals and maintained by yourself or with the help of lawn care services and is kept together by an established root system.
Sod farmers are meticulous at making sure the sod produced is healthy and weed free.
Advantages of Using Sod
1. Instant Results
Probably the biggest advantage to using sod is the instant mature lawn it creates. As opposed to using seed, sod can be admired and marveled at right away.
Generally, it takes about two to three weeks for sod roots to become established well enough for them to handle foot traffic.
In contrast, using seed can take up to one full growing season or more to become strong enough to withstand foot traffic.
2. Flexibility
With sod there is a longer window of time during the year when it can be laid down.
It’s best to avoid placing sod in extreme cold and hot temperatures, but there still is much more flexibility in regards to timing than compared to seed.
For best results when using seed, you are limited to small windows of time during the year like early fall depending on climate type of the area.
3. Soil Erosion Prevention
Erosion is the loss of topsoil due to wind, rain, and other natural processes. Soil erosion can create big problems when it comes to keeping a lush lawn.
If you are concerned about soil erosion then sod placement is the best option. Sod acts like a blanket with its established roots, keeping the soil in place from the start.
On the other hand, with seed placement, since the roots are not established there can be a high risk of seed and soil washing away.
4. Good for Difficult Areas
Difficult areas such as steep hills and slopes are best covered with sod as opposed to seed. Seeding on these difficult areas often results in seeds washing away and bare spots.
Sod acts as a stabilizer and will create the lush lawn you want even on these challenging areas.
5. Less Weeds
Sod is professionally and meticulously grown, which means there is less of a chance that pesky weeds will infiltrate your lawn. Of course, there is no guarantee that all weeds will be eliminated.
Disadvantages of Using Sod
1. Cost
Often the biggest disadvantage to sod is the cost. It is dramatically more expensive than seed because you essentially are paying for a more finished product. You’re also paying for the time and materials for someone else to grow the grass.
2. Less Variety
Many people, when deciding on what they want their lawns to look like, have a specific grass type they desire in mind.
If this is the case and you want to use sod, you may have limited options.
There are far more varieties of seed than sod. This is in part due to the very short 24-hour transplant period sod has.
Call Gecko Green
Obtaining a lush green lawn is possible regardless of whether you chose sod or seed. Being informed on these basic advantages and disadvantages will help you get one step closer to your dream lawn.
Considering all these factors can be overwhelming. At Gecko Green, our lawn care experts are here to help. We can assist you in this decision and walk you through all the options available.
Give us a call and receive expert advice today!
