Sod or Seed?
January 25, 2012 by johnf201
Undecided whether to go for planting grass seed or laying sod for your planned lawn? Here are some tips to help you come up with a decision.
Planting grass seed is easier than sodding and can be done by the homeowner himself. It is less expensive for sure and requires about the same time and effort in maintenance after planting. Grass seed costs about one cent per square foot. The cost of planting will vary depending on method used - rotary spreaders or blown out of a hose with a material that keeps it in place. Even if a homeowner chooses to hire a professional, the cost will still be lower than sodding.
Grass seeds must be watered frequently, to keep the seed moist during germination. The period between planting the seed and maintenance until the grass is at least two inches tall is what makes planting seed difficult. Birds and other insects, rainwater runoff can lead to germination failure causing an uneven growth or patchy results and one may need to seed again several times.
Experts say that seeded lawns are best grown in the north where summers are hot and winters cold. St. Louis is situated around the central part of the United States in the transitional zone between the humid continental climate and the humid subtropical climate. As such, it is subjected to both cold Arctic air and the humid tropical air coming from the Gulf of Mexico. It has four seasons with spring being the wettest and summer hot and humid. Come fall humidity is lower but is prone to bouts of heavy rainfall. Temperatures during winter sometimes fall below freezing.
Because of St. Louis' location and the weather conditions, sodding remains the best choice for an instant lawn despite the fact that it is more expensive than grass seed. No worries about germination failure or irregular germination pattern because the grass is, already, grown and harvested with the roots intact.
A homeowner can plant the seeds by himself, while a professional is needed to lay the sod. It has to be installed on the day it is cut to ensure healthy growth. That is why it is suggested not to buy sod from home or garden store because it may not be as fresh.
Sod is available in at least two installation types - squares and rolls. The square types are recommended for smaller areas or if just patching up the yard while the rolled ones are suggested for bigger yards.
Before installation, the ground on which the sod will be installed has to raked, leveled and removed of all weeds. Sods must be watered regularly keeping an eye for any fungal diseases characterized by large dead circular shaped patches in the lawn.
Sod can be laid in any place under various weather conditions. The location, however, has to be considered for the different types of sod. In the south, for example, St. Augustine grass, Zoysiagrass and Bermuda are popular. For St. Louis, the best option is a hybrid fescue blend, as this has proven to withstand and thrive in this particular regional climate.
The price of sod can be from fifty cents to a dollar per square foot plus installation charges ranging from one hundred fifty dollars and three hundred dollars per pallet. Because of the expense, some homeowners may opt to install the sod themselves. However, while it may save them on installation costs, it will be at the expense of their time and effort.
In closing, the decision to go for seed or sod would depend on the amount of money one is willing to spend and the location. Whichever one chooses, both produce lush and healthy lawns given the proper maintenance and conditions.
