What is best for rebuilding a lawn....seed or sod? and whats the difference?

Question

What is best for rebuilding a lawn....seed or sod? and whats the difference?

Answer 1

This was a great question all I can tell you is my experience. I just laid sod in my front and back yard. The back yard is doing fine and opnly the are under my tree in the front took well and my lawn is beautiful ,but definitely not weed free.

The problem is that i soded in the dead of the summer and lots of it died form the hot sun ( it appears that he back did well due to more shade as well as thefornt shade under the tree.

I watered like mad and my water bill hurt a lot - however sod is teparamental and I apparently over watered some areas and created a fungus that also killed the sod.

If you want instant gratification then sod is the answer - however i suggest waiting until the fall - the end of September would be good. I also suggest to get a landscaper to care for the sod rather than doing it yourself it'll save money and time.

My two cents............

Good mulching!!!! lol

Answer 2

The first year I moved into my duplex apartment I laid down seed in the backyard—nothing grew. The second year I did it again, and I got growth but the grass was weak so it didn't survive the summer. It wasn't until I found some blog on a website that said if you don't get any sunlight, grass will not grow weather its seed or sod. Even if you were to buy sod or buy seed made for the shade—it wont grow if you don't get sunlight. Before you make your decision, make sure you know how much sun your getting. I would recommend seed because its cheaper.

Answer 3

Rebuild. You need to have a regimen for lawn maint. Have some money ready for attachments.

Spring

Dethatch, aerate, fertilizer/crabgrass killer

Spray weed killer

Sweep clippings for the compost pile

Summer

Water when nec

Fall

Dethatch, fertilizer

re-seed just before the snows fly

Answer 4

Sod is grass already growing, laid out in your dirt yard like pieces of a puzzle.  Comes in rolled up chunks that roll out to about 18" x 2 or 3 feet long.  You roll it out, water it and hope for the best.  If you don't keep it watered it won't survive.

Seed is exactly that, seeds you spread on the dirt, water, fertilize, and hope for the best here too.

As to which is best, I would say sod if you are in a hurry, and have the budget for it.  I know you are suppose to get less weeds in sod, but mine wasn't weed free.  Seeds will take longer, both take fertilizer & watering regularly.  I suppose it all depends on whether you want instant gratification or not.