Sod vs. Seed

Time and money should be considered whenWhichever you decide, preparing the site is basically
choosing a new lawnthe same. The following steps are broad guidelines,
Want a new lawn? You've got two options: you canso consult a garden professional for specifics
plant seed and sprout your own turf, or you can buyappropriate to your area.
sod and roll it out like a plush new carpet. Either way,First, clear the ground of old or dead grass,
the results are the same. Which begs the largerundesirable roots and large stones.
question: To seed or not to seed?Water to encourage weeds to emerge, then kill
The answer boils down to time andthem with an herbicide and remove.
money—and which you can afford moreAmend the soil with organic matter and rototill.
of. "Sod is instant lawn. You can go from dirt toLevel the soil while it's dry, tamping with a rake or
grass in one day," says Jim Shaw, director ofroller. "Because sod is thick, you need to grade the
marketing at Superior Sod in Tehachapi, Ca. "It's likesoil an inch lower than sidewalks and driveways,"
getting a pre-roasted chicken at the supermarket.Shaw says. For seed, soil should be even with
We've done all the work for you."hardscaping.
Once the province of landscape contractors, layingApply a granular fertilizer and moisten slightly.
sod is now common among do-it-yourselfers. AfterAdd the grass. "Sod is perishable, so install it
all, few of us can resist the temptation to transformimmediately after delivery," Shaw says. Place the
our yards in the blink of an eye with grass harvestedpieces end to end in precise rows, with no gaps and
and trucked in from a commercial farm. The catch isstaggering seams like brickwork. Seed should be
that sod remains the pricier alternative.spread evenly at the rate prescribed on the package
If, however, you don't mind waiting three or fourand covered lightly with mulch. Netting helps protect
months while your lawn grows in, then starting fromagainst hungry birds.
scratch is cheaper. "Generally speaking, seed will costWater daily to prevent drying. For sod, keep the
about $20 per 1,000 square feet and sod will costgrass wet for one to two weeks. When using seed,
about 35 cents for just one square foot," sayslight but frequent irrigation for two to four weeks is
Stephen Knutson, vice president of Stover Seedrecommended to avoid washing seed away before it
Company in Los Angeles. Do the math and thatgerminates.
five-pound bag of seed translates into savings ofMow only after the grass is one-third taller than it
more than $300.should be. If you want it to be two inches, let it
Other reasons to consider seed include the widerreach three inches before trimming.
array of grass varieties to choose from, and theOnce your lawn is established, continue to water,
ability to cover hard-to-reach sites such as steepmow and fertilize regularly. Shaw and Knutson agree
slopes. And, according to Knutson, you won't importthat with proper maintenance, your lawn should
any potentially troublesome non-native soil either.remain lush and inviting regardless of its origins.