When your lawn is brown, thinning, or dull-looking, it’s time to give it a boost. There are two ways to go about this: seeding or sod. There are pros and cons to each method, and while both are effective, one may be the better option for you, depending on your unique circumstances. We’ve broken down each process so you can understand the difference between seeding methods and sod installation and make the best decision for your yard.
Types of Seeding
There are three tiers of seeding, depending on the scope of work and size of the lawn in question.
Spot Seeding
This is the most basic treatment for problem areas of your lawn. As the name suggests, your lawn care technician will apply seed to bare or thinning patches of lawn, depositing the seed mixture directly on top of the soil. Spot seeding is good for small troublesome areas.
Overseeding
Overseeding a lawn will fix not only problem patches but also the overall quality of the lawn. Generally done in the fall, overseeding is typically cheaper than turf grass installation.
Hydroseeding
If you’ve got a larger lawn, hydroseeding may be the solution for you. As opposed to depositing seed directly on the soil’s surface, hydroseeding involves mixing the seeds with a “slurry” of nutrients. This allows grass to germinate quickly, produces a more uniform look than sod, and is more affordable than sod. There are some drawbacks, however. Using this method on a smaller lawn may not be as cost-effective. Additionally, the first few months after hydroseeding, your lawn will require extensive watering, so keep that into consideration.
To Seed Or Not To Seed
If more than 50% of your lawn is dead, bare, or thinning, you should opt for starting fresh with a sod installation. In these circumstances, you’ll be able to see immediate results by laying down sod, as opposed to waiting weeks for seeds to germinate and grow. If you’ve dealt with an unhealthy lawn for a while, being able to enjoy greenery right away is highly satisfying. Sod is also great at preventing underlying weeds from resprouting in the soil and has fewer restrictions on planting times, unlike traditional seeding. It is, however, more expensive than seeding.
In Conclusion
As we’ve discussed, there are many benefits of seeding and sod, depending on your circumstances.
Pros of sod: immediate results, used to prevent soil erosion, prevents weeds, low maintenance
Cons of sod: generally more expensive than traditional seeding, roots may not be as deep as traditional seeding
Pros of seeding: less expensive than sod, can have customized seed blend, good for fixing patches quickly, more grass varieties to choose from compared to sod sheets.
Cons of seeding: Grass may take weeks to fully grow, more restrictive planting times, may require extensive watering for several months
Choose Griffin Organics For Turf Installation
There’s no need to put up with a less-than-stellar lawn. Griffin Organics can help! We offer both turf installation methods, and our expert technicians will help you decide which one is right for you. And when it’s time to fertilize that lawn, you can rest assured we’ll only use organic, natural substances.
We Offer Lawn Care Services in Southeast New York
Whether your lawn needs patching up or a complete redo, the experts at Griffin Organics are here to help. We service these cities and more!
Call 914-788-9622 or contact us online here. For the latest updates on organic lawn care and service offerings, be sure to follow our blog and like us on Facebook.