EXAMINING OPTIONS FOR SOD OR SEED
Whether you establish your new lawn from sod or seed, all the personal and environmental benefits that natural lawns offer can be yours. Both approaches lead to beautiful, healthy, sustainable lawns, but the methods differ significantly from the start.

With sod, a sod farmer does the growing for you. Harvested sod consists of mature grass and a soil layer, held together by netting or severed grass roots. It’s sold in ruglike rolls ready to be unfurled, and it comes with a unique set of pros and cons:

Advantages of sod
Instant results. Newly installed sod offers immediate gratification. It’s not ready for normal lawn traffic, but it instantly gives the look of finished lawn. 

Fast establishment. Handled and installed properly, new sod generally takes just a few weeks to root well and become established. 

Immediate erosion control. On slopes or areas with erosion problems, sod works as a blanket to help hold soil in place from the start. 

Flexibility in timing. Sod can be installed anytime in the growing season, except in very high heat. Sod roots fastest when laid during the period of peak growth for the type of grass involved.

Limited weeds. Quality sod has few or no weeds. It outcompetes weed seeds that that try to move in early on.

Quick traffic turnaround. Once sod roots establish, it’s ready for normal lawn traffic, including entertaining, play and pets.

Disadvantages of sod
Higher initial cost. Finished sod carries a higher price tag than comparable grass seed coverage. Labor intensive. Improper installation leads to poor rooting, visible seams and failed, unsightly lawns. Less selection or control over types of grasses.

Different growing conditions. Growing conditions in your yard may vary significantly from where sod was grown. Adjustments to different light levels and soil conditions can be difficult. Most sod is grown in full sun, so shady lawns can be challenging for sod. Short transplanting window. Fresh sod must be laid as soon as possible after harvest, ideally within 24 hours of being cut.

With grass seed, you become the grower. This allows you to influence and experience every step of your lawn’s establishment, from germination and rooting to the development of thick, lush, green turf. Starting a lawn from seed has its own distinct set of considerations: 

Advantages of grass seed
Lower initial cost. The cost of premium grass seed is much less when compared to the cost of sod for the same size lawn. Can seed a smaller area whereas sod has a minimum of one pallet. 

More grass types and varieties to choose from. 

There is no thatch layer present which may harbor unwanted diseases or insect pests. 

Established in place. With seed, your grasses continue to grow in the same place where they germinate and root. Grasses can grow deep and healthy root systems, undisturbed.

Disadvantages of grass seed
Defined window for seeding. To establish well, seed should be sown during peak growth times for the grass involved. For example, germination and growth of cool-season grasses favor cool conditions, so early fall is the best time to plant these seeds. Improper timing leads to failed seed or weak grass susceptible to insects and disease.

Gradual initial establishment. Germination speeds vary between grasses, but newly seeded lawns may need up to 10 to 12 weeks before they’re ready for even light foot traffic. Weather also influences growing speeds. Greater initial maintenance. Watering is critical during seed establishment. Careful monitoring and attention are essential in this phase. Erosion potential. Until roots establish, seed and soil can wash away or pool in heavy rains and void your efforts. Weed competition. Grass seeds are vulnerable to competition from weed seeds for water, light and nutrients. 

Longer maturation time. A newly seeded lawn needs one full growing season before it’s dense, mature and established well enough to withstand vigorous lawn traffic.

The area is inaccessible until the seed is fully established.

SOD INSTALLATION
Minimum install is one pallet, which typically covers about 450 square feet. We charge by the pallet plus any applicable delivery fees and additional prep work that may be needed outside of a typical sod install.

Is sod right for your yard?
Sod is the quickest way to achieve lush green grass, but it’s not always the best option for every yard. We often hear, “grass used to grow here,” and there’s probably a good reason why it’s now dead. Things change: trees grow, there may be more shade, or maybe your dog really loves to run around in that area. Get to know your soil and its challenges before you move on to sod or seed. Take a tip from the pros and test your soil; it’s an integral part of any successful lawn project. Test results and recommendations eliminate guesswork with an in-depth look into essentials such as soil pH, organic matter and potential availability of necessary nutrients. With your starting point confirmed, you can fertilize and amend your soil with confidence and improve its ability to support dense, healthy grass.

Alternatives to sod: Sometimes a landscaping option is a better fit for shady or high-traffic areas. Expanding a bed or creating a seating area or pathway could be better long-term.

Is this the right time of year to install sod? We confidently install sod year-round and get great long-term results. Each time of year has different needs and initial appearances. Sod installed in the summer needs much more water to keep it healthy, but it typically looks great in this growing season. Sod in the winter needs less water, but it will be dormant and therefore a little gray/brown for a while. Spring and fall are somewhere in the middle. Whenever we install sod, we give our customers detailed care and watering instructions.

What kind of grass do you need?
Unless you are redoing an entire section, you probably want it to match your current yard. Then, you need to consider different turf requirements to determine which cultivar is best for you. Sod comes in several varieties. Some prefer full sun, some shade and others high traffic areas. It’s important to know the difference between the varieties, so you can achieve the lawn you desire.

 OVERSEEDING

When faced with an existing lawn, your first decision is whether to work with what’s there or start over. Carefully examine the lawn for weeds, undesirable grasses and areas that look weak or diseased. 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 overseeding existing grass and eliminating weeds 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 and totally renovate.

Overseeding your lawn during the growing season fills in bare spots to create thick and healthy turf that stands up to foot traffic, retains moisture, and looks great. We recommend overseeding during your annual Aeration service for optimal results!

You may also choose to overseed during times of dormancy with a winter seed to give you a green lawn year-round! This can be offered as a stand alone service or as part of a Fall Cleanup.

Before we complete your sod &/or seed installation, we need the following:
✓  50% deposit
✓  The type of sod you want installed (We can help you with this decision!)
✓  Date last herbicide was applied to your yard
✓  Name(s) of last herbicide applied to your yard
✓  Application rate of last herbicide applied to your yard
✓  Do you have an irrigation system?
✓  Do you have pets? If so, do you have a way to keep them off of the sod while it is taking root?
✓  Location of underground utility lines (Can schedule 811Dig to mark these)
✓  Location of sprinkler heads & drip irrigation
✓  Do you have a plan for fertilization, weed, insect & disease control?  New sod is highly vulnerable to insects & disease.

Sodding and seeding your lawn is an investment, and failure often comes from improper care and maintenance. After we install your sod or spread your seed, we will provide you with detailed care instructions to ensure the grass becomes established. Once established, it is important to follow a consistent lawn care maintenance schedule & guidelines from mowing, to irrigation, to fertilization, to weed control, to insect control and fungus control.

Contact us today to discuss whether sodding or seeding is the best option for your needs. Both options require prep work (determination of key issues if there are any, grass type choice, weed &/or grass removal, grading, soil amendments, etc.). 

We are more than happy to meet and discuss it all to get you started in achieving the lawn you desire!