Should You Use Sod or Seeds for Your Lawn?

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Should You Use Sod or Seeds for Your Lawn?

As a homeowner, you should take every aspect of your property seriously. That includes creating an amazing looking yard. Your lawn is a direct reflection to your commitment to your investment and it should be taken seriously when you are making landscaping decisions. Investing time, money, and effort into creating a great looking yard is definitely worth it. A nice yard can improve the curb value of your home as well as increase the overall value of your property. There are typically two main options for creating a great lawn, using sod or using seeds. A lot will depend on if you have an existing lawn or if you are starting from scratch. We want to help you learn the differences between both options and provide you with some valuable questions to ask yourself prior to making your decisions. If you have additional questions about your lawn or would like to purchase the best landscaping products on the market, reach out to Cal Blend Soils Inc. today.

Ask Yourself Some Important Questions Prior to Moving Forward

If you are mulling over options for achieving the right lawn, there are several questions you need to answer before moving forward. The first question to ask is applicable if you have an existing lawn. Figure out whether you want to work with your lawn that is already there or if you’d like to start over completely. Take a look at your current lawn and try to determine how many weeds you have, if you have dark spots anywhere in the yard, and if you feel like starting over completely. A good rule of thumb for existing lawns is that if over 40% of your yard is overrun by weeds, it might be better to start over from scratch.

Another important question to ask is if you want immediate results or if you are ok with a lawn that takes time to flourish. Sod tends to be the right option if you want immediate results, but it can also come with its fair share of disadvantages as well. Lastly, you need to figure out what type of budget you have for your yard. Your budget will have a big impact on whether or not you go with sod or seeds.

Choosing Sod

Sod is a great option for people who want to see results immediately and don’t want to have to work hard to achieve a nice lawn. Sod is grass that has been grown prior to your receiving it. It usually consists of mature grass along with a layer of soil that all gets held together by the roots in the grass. It’s sold in squares that are essentially ready to get dropped onto your property as is. There are quite a few benefits of sod to mention, let’s take a look at a few of them below.

Sod is great because it is easy to establish. It usually only takes 2 to 3 weeks for the sod to be rooted well and established on your property. If you are looking for instant results, sod is the right choice for you. You can purchase sod in squares that have pre-grown grass on them. You can achieve a nice looking lawn in a very short amount of time with sod, which is certainly attractive to a lot of homeowners. Another great benefit to sod is that it prevents weeds from growing. State-certified sod typically comes with no weeds and will outcompete weed seeds that try to take over your lawn. Sod also works as a blanket on sloped areas that are prone to erosion, which means its perfect for people who have property on an incline.

One downside to sod is that it can be more expensive to purchase upfront. It’s also expensive to have it installed the right way. You will need to hire a professional landscaping company to make sure they install your sod the right way. Lastly, you are fairly restricted in terms of the types of grass you can choose from with sod.

Choosing Grass Seeds

If you are the type of person that likes to get their hands dirty and stay involved in their yard on a regular basis, grass seeds might be the option for you. Grass seed is a great option because it is usually less expensive than sod. You won’t have to pay for professional landscapers to install grass seeds on your property. You can also choose from any type of grass you want, which is a big advantage for homeowners that want to create a unique look for their yard. Another great feature of grass seeds is that they can grow deeper roots systems for years to come after you plant them.

The downsides to grass seeds are primarily due to the effort it takes to find success. You will need to choose the right window for seeding as well as perform regular lawn maintenance until your grass seeds have taken root. There is also more potential for erosion with grass seeds, which can be a big problem for people with sloping properties and lawns. Weeds are also more prone to attack grass seed lawns, so keep that in mind when you are making your final decision.

If you are looking into the best way to create an amazing lawn for your yard, keep the points mentioned above in mind. Both grass seed and sod come with their own unique sets of advantages and disadvantages. It all comes down to how quickly you want results, what your budget is, and what type of grass you are looking for. If you have any questions about grass seed or sod, you can always contact Cal Blend Soils Inc. for additional information and insight. We can provide you with the best landscaping products on the market at the best possible prices.