As home and business owners seek to beautify the exteriors of their properties, the question often comes up: should you use sod or grass seed for a new lawn? The answer is not as simple as it may seem. There are numerous benefits to each approach, with considerations to be made for cost, style, maintenance, and care.
Overall, sod leads to instant green, lush grass, but keeping it that way requires a slew of maintenance, irrigation, and lawn care concerns. Grass seed takes more patience before the ideal look can be achieved, but with the correct choice of grass species, it can grow with slightly less maintenance than sod. Here are some pros and cons to using sod and grass seed for your yard in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and nearby areas of Minnesota.
Benefits of Sod Include Instantly Green Grass, Easy Repair, & Fuller Looks
Sod is a great way to provide your lawn with the instantly green look you desire. As soon as the crew has prepared the soil, the sod can be rolled out or installed in patches. Once the entire area is covered, you will have a green, lush lawn that looks great.
The biggest concern with a new sod installation is allowing the sod to take root. This can only be achieved with proper watering, fertilizing, and of course, soil prep. Crews will typically spend time aerating and dethatching the soil (where needed) before installing sod. Many sod installations will also require an irrigation system to ensure the newly planted grass takes root.
For home or business owners willing to invest in all of the peripheral expenses, sod is an excellent choice. Once the sod takes root, and the grass is exposed to the proper amount of sunlight, the perfect look is possible. From there, proper maintenance will be needed, which includes mowing, trimming, weed control, pest control, fertilizer, and of course; adequate water.
On the positive side, sod can be repaired with fresh patches should sections begin to die off. This can be costly, but again, the instant green factor is very appealing.
Benefits of Grass Seed Include Reduced Cost, Lower Maintenance, & More
In the case of natural grass, there will be sufficient work needed to bring the lawn to a healthy, green state. The process typically involves aeration and dethatching followed by overseeding.
Overseeding involves spreading grass seed throughout the yard using a walk-behind spreader. Once seeds are spread thoroughly, crews will usually lay down top-dressing, which is a nutrient-rich fertilizer spread that kickstarts the grass.
Just as with sod, natural grass seed will need plenty of water and sunlight to get things going. With any luck, the grass will begin to grow evenly after germination takes place. The process takes much longer than sod but can lead to an equally thick lawn. Lawn maintenance professionals will usually apply fertilizer, weed control, and pest control products to allow the grass to dominate the landscape.
Occasionally, property owners will struggle to succeed with grass seed because environmental factors can prevent proper growth. A trained lawn care team can help to identify what is plaguing your grass and help you to achieve the look you desire.
Call today to request grass seed or sod services!
Call (320) 293-1625 today with any questions, or to request grass seed or sod services for your lawn in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, or the surrounding areas.
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