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Seed vs. Sod
I recently received an abbreviated question from a reader and though that this is a problem many new homeowners struggle with.
Hi Carson,
My husband and I, along with our three hard-working teenage children, built our dream home (contracted it out ourselves) four years ago on a acre property in Cow Bay (20 minutes from Halifax), N.S.
We have done a lot of the work. We did have an excavating company come in and grub and level the yard last summer, but unfortunately, weeds have started to pop up due to not getting to it quick enough.
We have been going back and forth on seed or sod. We have even considered hydroseed, but can’t seem to get enough positive feedback to make that an option.
We are considering seed due to having the varieties of species good for Nova Scotian climate and a drastically reduced cost (especially with three kids to go through university soon), or instant grass, but at a much higher cost, (may lay ourselves). I talk to some people who swear by sod then others the opposite. A neighbour did sod in front yard and seed in the back yard, and says the seeded area is far superior. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
There are definitely pros and cons to both seed and sod. Here are a few you should consider before you make the decision that works best for your own space
Sod is instant. You can have a lawn in a matter of hours. Seed at a minimum takes 21 days to really see any growth and two- to three months before it will fill a space.
Installing sod is hard work. When saturated, each one of those rolls can weigh more than 20 pounds, and if you have to do a large space, you could be unloading several hundred rolls. That’s quite the workout! Seed is much easier to install. All you really have to do is make sure you get even coverage and that the seeds have access to the soil. Hydro seeding makes this process even easier by mixing seed with a soluable solution that is sprayed all over then lawn.
While not impossible, it is tricky to find sods that use blended grass varieties. This is important, as most of our lawns are a mix of sunny and shady spots. One type of grass won’t work in every situation. Using seed allows you to create you own custom blend of fescues, rye grass and Kentucky blue in for the areas that are best suited to each variety.
You should mow sod for the first time when it reaches 3.5 inches, often in two to three weeks. It will take a seeded lawn four to five weeks. In both cases, consistent watering is required. If you are on a well, or a restricted watering schedule, you will water sod significantly less as it comes with an established root system.
There is one other thing to remember when choosing between seed and sod. If your yard is already full of weeds, then seeding it will do nothing to stop their growth. Some weeds may still grow through a thick matt of sod, but it will be a significantly smaller amount.
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