To sod or not to seed—that is the question. And since you’re reading this article, it’s probably a question you’ve been asking yourself. Here in New Jersey, there are countless properties with sprawling green lawns. While passing by, you may have wondered: How did they attain such a beautiful lawn? Did they use sod or grass seeds? And truth be told, it could very well have been either one. In this article, we’ll take a look at how sod stacks up against seed when it comes to growing a new lawn. Both sod and seed are good options, equally capable of yielding a lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood. However, there are some differences in terms of how to get from A to Z. You’ll want to consider factors such as: how long you’ll have to wait before your lawn is usable again, how much activity will be on your lawn, and how much time and energy you want to put into maintaining your lawn.

How long do you want to wait until your new lawn is usable again?

The amount of time you're willing to wait until your new lawn is usable again can play a big role in helping you determine if you should use sod or seed. Sod, which is often called an “instant” lawn will give you the look of a beautiful new lawn the same day that it's installed. However, while it will look great on installation day, it will still be very fragile and will need some time so it can establish its roots in the soil. Usually, after about a month, you can start using your sod lawn like normal.

Seeds, on the other hand, can take longer to establish, so you will have to be more patient. Because the seeds need to germinate and grow, it can take them a little while before they are able to develop into beautiful grass blades. If you don't mind waiting, seeds are a great option to start your new lawn with. However, if you're not as patient, sod may be the better choice for you!

How much activity do you anticipate on your lawn?

If you’re planning to host a slew of backyard barbecues this spring and summer, or if you anticipate having a swarm of children running around on your lawn playing games, it might be better to go with seed rather than sod. Grass seeds establish deeper, stronger roots that can better withstand wear and tear from foot traffic.

However, if you know that you’ll be spending more time admiring your lawn from a distance rather than walking all over it, then sod is a fine choice. Sod can still handle a fair amount of foot traffic, so it's not a bad option at all. But, when you compare sod vs seed, seed will likely be the better option if your lawn will need to be able to withstand a lot of activity.

Sod requires less maintenance in the beginning than seeds do.

Sod typically requires less maintenance than seed because it is already established and mature grass, whereas seed requires regular watering and care until it is established. In the end, your lawn will require the same amount of maintenance, regardless of whether it began as sod or seed. However, in the early days of lawn cultivation, there is going to be a difference in the amount of maintenance you will need to provide. Sod takes about one month of high maintenance to help it establish itself. New sod needs to be watered frequently so it will establish a strong root system, and after that, you can start treating it like a normal lawn.

Seed, on the other hand, can require a few months of high maintenance until it is firmly established. You will have to water it very often for months after planting the seeds, and you'll also need to stay off of your lawn for longer as the new grass will be very fragile. If you're looking for an option that requires less maintenance, sod is the way to go. If you don't care about the maintenance requirements of your new lawn, both options are great!

You can usually start mowing a sod lawn after about 2 weeks!

We can help you get a new lawn via sod or seed. Give us a call to schedule our lawn renovation service.

At Stream Line Lawn & Landscape, we can help you get a beautiful new lawn via sod or seed. Whether you want to use sod or seed for your new lawn, we can make it happen with our lawn renovation service. We offer this service to property owners in Westfield, Watchung, Warren, NJ, and nearby areas. Give us a call at (833) 452-9666 to schedule this service today!