Grass seed or sod? If you’re dreaming of a lush, green lawn this year, then these are two standard options to boost your landscaping and increase the grass on your property. While both grass seed and sod will deliver beautiful results with proper lawn care, there are some key differences to consider before making your decision.
What’s the difference between grass seed and sod?
Choosing between grass seed or sod is a big decision determined by your budget, time, and effort you’re prepared to dedicate to your lawn. Let’s start with the basics. What’s the difference between grass seed and sod?
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Grass seed is spread evenly over the ground before being raked into the soil. Depending on your grass type, seeds will begin to sprout in 1-2 weeks and will be ready to mow in another 3-4 weeks. |
Sod can be laid in squares or rolls for larger areas or plugs for smaller areas, typically by a professional. Because the grass is already grown, results are immediate with 1-2 weeks of watering to allow roots to grow. |
Once your soil is prepared, grass seed is simple and straightforward to spread. After planting your grass seed, it will require basic lawn maintenance, including frequent watering and special fertilizer to support healthy growth. While planting grass takes more time to establish, the quality of grass seed’s root systems far exceeds that of sod.
Now, let’s talk about the budget. The initial lower price to purchase and plant seed is one of the biggest appeals of choosing grass seed. On average, the cost of grass seed is $0.09-0.18/sq ft, making it significantly more affordable when compared to sod. Depending on your budget, you can easily spread the grass seed yourself or hire a local lawn care company to help with lawn care.
While laying sod is a quick solution to an “instant lawn,” it is one of the most expensive options to achieving your dream lawn. The installation is typically done by a professional, adding labor costs to the already pricier product. The average cost of labor and materials for sod is $1-2/sq ft.
A limitation that homeowners often run into with sod is the limitation of grass varieties. Only certain types of grass are grown for sod, which narrows down the grass options available for your lawn. With grass seed, you can create custom blends to meet the exact needs of your home. And while the roots of sod may establish quicker than seeds, they often do not establish as deeply as seeds.
When you’re finally ready to boost your curb appeal and get your lawn in tip-top shape, you’re faced with a big decision of how to achieve the lawn of your dreams. If you’re prepared to watch your lawn grow from the ground up, then planting grass seed is an excellent option that is budget-friendly and sustainable.
At Curtis and Curtis Seed, we source and process seeds of the highest quality to exceed your expectations. Sun exposure, shade, frequency of watering, and lawn care can have a huge impact on your results which is why we provide a variety of turf and native grasses to help you find the right seed blend for your home. Check out some of our featured products below.