Grass Sod vs Seed for a New Lawn

Anyone considering renovating or installing a new lawn will invariably face the dilemma of planting grass seed vs. laying down sod. If money were no object, we'd probably all put down sod, which is fully grown grass that gives us a nearly instant lawn. Seeding a lawn from scratch can take several months to fully fill in, and any number of environmental challenges — wind, pelting rain, sweltering heat, a drought — can make new lawns difficult. As for value, seed is still usually the best bet; initial costs of sodded lawns make them 10 to 20 times more costly than seed. Here are some cost variables to consider, however:

Avoid covering the seed with straw, which can be $7 or more per bale. A thin layer of compost is a better option.

Determine your water cost. Seeded lawns typically take up to three times more water than sodded lawns to get established.

Buy your sod direct from the grower, especially if you have a big job. The local garden center marks up the cost of the sod, but many growers will sell to consumers who purchase a certain minimum amount. If you're interested in finding sod for your climate, visit turfgrasssod.org.