It’s that time of year again in the Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington area when landscape projects become a top priority. As we begin these projects, we quickly realize we have many decisions to make. One of those decisions, when replacing or installing a new lawn, is between using grass seed or sod. This blog will cover the pros and cons of each.
Completion Time
If you’re concerned with the amount of time that is involved in installing a new lawn or if your goal is to instantly have a lush-looking lawn, then it would be best to go with sod installation. Sod can be installed any time of year (although the best time of year is fall or spring) as long as it is being properly watered. Sod installations can occur quickly and, depending on the size of the planned lawn, can, most times, be completed in a day; a brand new lawn in just hours! Lawns started from seed, on the other hand, can be a time-consuming process, that requires a lot more overall care and attention than sod.
Quickest Install Time: Sod
Affordability
If you are on a budget and concerned with the cost of having a new lawn installed, then the seed option will be your best option. A large bag of seed is far cheaper than purchasing numerous rolls of sod. When you think about it, it makes sense that sod would be more expensive. Essentially, when using sod, you are paying for the fact that someone else has already started, grown and cared for the grass. Whereas starting a lawn from seed is affordable because you are the one performing all of the care for what will eventually become your lawn. Even the fanciest seed you can purchase is far cheaper than purchasing sod.
Most Affordable: Seed
Quality
Deciding between seed or sod when it comes to affordability or completion time is relatively simple; if you want a lawn quickly, go with sod, if you are looking to save money, go with seed. However, it is somewhat tricky to decide which of the two is of higher quality. They both have their pros and cons.
Quality of Seed
Installing a lawn from seed allows for the early formation of healthy root systems. Healthy root systems result in a healthier, happier, lush-looking lawn. Furthermore, seed is started and grown in the same environment that it will live its entire life. Unlike sod, which will be grown in one environment, removed and placed in a new, potentially very different, environment. This could shock the turf causing it to suffer from the transplanting process. Your selection for grass types is far more expansive in seed form than in sod form. Sod grass types are dependant upon what grass farmers are growing at the time, in your area. Whereas, with seed, you have a plethora of different choices.
Quality of Sod
When installing sod, you have far less to worry about in regards to erosion than you do when installing seed. Heavy rain, winds, or even wildlife, can carry off the seed, spreading it in unwanted areas, and leaving bare patches where turf should be. Sod, on the other hand, goes excatly where you want it and, generally, stays where you want it as well. Sod requires far less attention after install than seed does. The seed must be well-cared for, especially in the early stages of the seed’s growth.
Highest Quality: Seed and Sod
Deciding between seed and sod when installing a new lawn can be a difficult task. If money is less of an issue, you would like an “instant lawn,” or you have any issues with erosion on your property, sod is most likely your best bet. However, if you’re on a budget and would like a wider array of grass types to choose from, seed will be your best option. If you’re in need of landscape services of any kind, call Urban Eden today at (360)567-6399, contact us here, or fill out our FREE estimate request form.