Are you not proud of your existing lawn?
It may be the best time to give it a makeover.
In this regard, the first decision you need to take is how you will commence the task.
To make this important decision, you need to stay in the know of the distinguishing factors between sod vs. grass.
If you are looking for the difference between sod and grass, read this blog till the end.
Difference Between Sod and Grass: 5 Primary Factors
Before you move on to picking one from sod vs. grass, consider these differences:
1. Time Required To Establish
The first comparison we will make is the time taken by sod vs. grass to thrive in your lawn.
Sod can begin to take root in as little as two weeks, depending on the quality and time of year.
You can walk on it as soon as its root anchors the soil.
In contrast, grass may take up to 10 days to germinate, depending on the season.
After that, it will take six to ten weeks for it to establish itself properly. During that period, you must water it thoroughly and refrain from treading on the area.
That means you need to be extra careful if you have kids or pets.
2. Restoring the Thin Lawn
Does your thick, lush lawn look thin and ugly with all those bare or brown spots? Then, laying seeds is the ideal solution.
Adding the seed is usually as simple as raking off the dead grass and using a rake or fork to slightly soften the soil. Similarly, overseeding is a simple approach to make your lawn look better if it’s generally fine but not as thick and lush as you’d want.
Sod must be laid appropriately to ensure that there are no gaps and it settles in properly.
We won’t label it as a tough process, but you require precision.
If you don’t know much about sod, we have our guide on What Is Sod: Top 5 Types of Sod that Thrive in Canada.
3. Maintenance of the Lawn
In the last difference between sod vs. grass, we discussed that seeds are better for thin grass.
However, if you are dealing with barren patches or slopes, you can choose sod.
A new lawn can be grown or an existing one repaired by spreading seed over well-prepared, level ground.
However, sod is a preferable option if the area that needs to be fixed is close to your home’s downspout, is heavily trafficked, or is primarily overgrown with weeds.
New sod is an excellent fix for places prone to erosion because grass seeds can be swept away by heavy rain, draining water, or even high winds.
Weed can overgrow after seeding.
Grass seeds don’t sprout easily in an area where there are a lot of weeds.
It’s more likely that weeds will take up moisture and nutrients from the soil, stopping grass seeds from sprouting. Remove the weed-infested lawn and revive it with sod for better results.
As a plus point, well-maintained sod may increase your property value by 15-20%.
4. Cost of Installation
The price point is another important difference between sod vs grass.
Grass seed is cheap. However, the total cost depends on the size of the yard. The lowest amount can be $100, and for bigger ones, the price may reach over $8000.
The cost of a single sod pallet that you can lay over 450 square feet may cost you $100 to $500.
In cases of improper sod installation, the grass may wither and die, adding to the workload of reviving a dead lawn.
Considering the high initial expense of sod and the possibility that it won’t take root and develop properly, planting grass seed could be a wise alternative.
To lessen the chance that the grass will die after installation, you can reach out to landscaping experts to lay your sod.
5. Preparation Phase
When deciding between sod vs. grass, you should also think about the effort and time that would go into the preparatory phase.
It’s relatively easy to seed grass, especially if you’re only covering small areas. You will need to take further measures, such as adding quality topsoil and selecting the appropriate kind for your yard if you’re using it to build a brand-new lawn.
One more distinguishing element between sod vs. grass is that you can keep seeds until you’re ready to use them.
Sod needs to be planted as soon as possible following delivery, no matter what. Furthermore, you can save the extra seed you don’t utilize for upkeep and repairs in the future.
The ground beneath the sod must be in good shape to provide the best possible new lawn and offer the sod the best chance of thriving.
You’ll need to remove all weeds and grass, dig out any large stones, and add topsoil based on the condition of your current soil. Therefore, even though sod will have an immediate effect, the preparatory phase may take a while.
Read More: Lawn Care Schedule: Bring Out the Green Side All Year-Round
FAQs
For new sod vs. grass, how frequently do you fertilize?
After sod installation, fertilize the lawn using a slow-release fertilizer. Meanwhile, with grass seed, apply fertilizer regularly according to the type of grass after the seedlings have become established.
How much longer does grass seed require than sod?
Full lawn establishment with grass seed takes several weeks to months, but germination takes 7–21 days. With sod, you get an instant lawn that can be used a few weeks after installation.
When selecting between sod vs. grass, are there any environmental factors to take into account?
In general, seeding is more environmentally beneficial. On the other hand, sod installation is an energy-intensive procedure that may cause gas emissions due to the machinery used for transportation to mowing.
Summary
These are all the differences between sod vs. grass that will help you decide which option to go with.
Cost, time, and effort are the main components supporting your final option.
If you have the budget and less time to take care of your lawn, sod is a quick low maintenance option.
Use seeds if you can wait for the lawn to grow in the seasonal window.
Those who want a pretty lawn but lack skills and knowledge in this area can rush to Falcons Landscaping for good advice and immaculate services.