Having a hard time deciding whether to sod or seed? Here are some tips to help you decide.
True or False: It takes more water to establish sod.
False.
Yes, typically, especially in the hotter months, a larger amount of water is needed to install sod.
However, once sod has established a root system, less water is needed, compared to a seeding.
Rooting for new sod starts to “take” about 2-3 weeks. For sod’s roots to fully re-establish, it takes closer 12 months, typically.
New seeding requires multiple daily applications of water to maintain adequate moisture to prevent the seed from drying out. Germination can take 3 days to 3 weeks depending on the type of grass and the quality of the seed, but more water is needed during this establishment time frame. It takes closer to 18 months to fully establish a lawn from seed so more watering is needed overall for seeding.
True or False: Sod requires more fertilizer and herbicides.
False.
Compared to seed, sod is professionally grown, healthy and mature.
Properly grown sod that has matured in our fields for around 18 months or so has minimal (if any) weeds and pests … so, there is no need to apply herbicides to new sod that is properly maintained by “mowing right”, “watering right” and “fertilizing right”. As long as the sod is kept thick and healthy with proper maintenance, the grass will outcompete weeds and pests, so the chances of getting weeds or pests are slim.
Seeding will need multiple treatments of herbicides and starter fertilizers throughout it’s establishment. There’s so much open soil space with a new seeding that weeds and pests can easily outcompete the newly established grass. The young grass seedlings are also more susceptible to disease causing bacteria and fungus than mature turfgrass sod.
True or False: Sodding is more expensive than seeding.
Trick question – you decide!
Initially, based on initial costs up front, you may think sodding is more expensive than seeding.
However, for seedings, don’t forget to add up the costs of all the herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, watering’s, wash outs, dirty pets and kids tracking in mud, and the time and labor it takes to carefully crop your seedlings into mature turfgrass for 18 months!
There is also soil quality to think about. Seeding on less than desirable soils will leave you with especially unpredictable results. You may decide to try to add top soil into your current soil to get better nutrients to grow grass from seed, which adds to your expenses.
Sod can survive and thrive on all types of soils. If your soil is particular sandy or compact, especially if you don’t have a sprinkler system installed, Red Hen’s Fescue Sod (with a deeper root system) would likely be our recommendation, versus our beautiful / slightly higher maintenance Kentucky bluegrass sod.
Add in dogs – and seeding your lawn is especially tricky to get established.
When you opt for seeding rather than sodding, you have to decide if the trade off is worth it… and take into account at least 18 months of your time and labor and materials and potential disappointment.
Let’s not forget one EXTREMELY IMPORTANT important factor in seeding — TIMING! You are going to have the best seeding results when you time your seeding with Mother Nature in mind. There are a few annual small windows of time that Mother Nature cooperates the most when it comes to planting grass seed. Consider this link for more on TIMING and seeding tips, courtesy of the turfgrass science experts at Purdue: Establishing Turfgrass Areas from Seed: Purdue
On the other hand, sodding can be done anytime (as long as we are harvesting).
In the end, do you have a quality product even close to what is grown on a turf farm?
We view sodding and seeding costs to be relatively equal in the long run.
If you aren’t that picky about the quality of your lawn, you like to watch plants grow, your budget simply does not allow for sod, or have the time to nurture and learn about growing turf from seed, then seeding may be for you.
If you want instant gratification, and to NOT have to deal with washouts, weeds, disease, fungus, dirty floors from dogs and kids, and a lawn of questionable quality for at least a year and a half of your life, then your choice may very well be to sod your lawn.
For current retail pricing on sod, seed, fertilizer and more, check out Red Hen Turf Farm’s RESOURCE HUB, toward the bottom of the list of our hottest handouts. Call for a Red Hen sod quote at 574-232-6811 and prepare to be surprised that — at the very least — sod likely does not cost as much as you think it would. MORE on our 2 types of sod can be found HERE.
Some customers are quite successful at seeding. The most successful ones have had A LOT OF PRACTICE. Below is an example of before and after photos from a customer who over-seeded his lawn using a slit seeder.
Commonly heard here at Red Hen is, “I wish I would have sodded my lawn.”
Seeding is not for everyone.
Never fear, we are always here to help with questions whether you decide to seed or sod your lawn.
Measure up your area, call us and we’ll give you pricing on both sod and seed, fertilizers, herbicides and more.
Red Hen Turf Farm does not do installations / seedings, but we can usually give you a lead or 2 for a qualified landscaper in your area if prefer not to do D-I-Y projects at the moment.
Until next time,
– The Red Hen Turf Farm Crew!
Last updated 05/01/2025
