You know you want a beautiful, luscious lawn but you can’t decide between grass seed and sod. Whether you’re establishing a new lawn, trying to revive patchy grass, beautifying your front yard, or landscaping a commercial property, how do you know which one is right for your project? What are the pros and cons of grass seed vs. sod? In this article we will compare growth speed, success rates, and the price of sod and grass seed. We will also discuss factors to consider when choosing a grass type. Let’s find out whether installing sod or planting grass seed is right for you!
Growth Speed
Wait time is something to heavily consider when choosing between sod and grass seed. Some people are more patient, and some project timelines are more pressing. How long are you willing to wait for a beautiful lawn? Let’s compare the growth speeds of grass seed and sod.
Sod: Instant Lawn
One of the main benefits of choosing sod over grass seed is the instantly beautiful lawn. Sure, it takes a little time for sod to take root and truly grow in your yard, but the sod looks green, lush, and beautiful immediately after installation. Plus, most sod installation jobs can be completed in a single day. So, if you’re tired of staring at a barren lawn and speed is your top priority, sod is the way to go.
Grass Seed: Patience Required
Growth time for grass seed varies depending on soil quality, weather, and care, but the type of grass seed is the biggest variable. The fastest germinating grass seed takes about a week while slower germinating grass such as Kentucky Bluegrass can take 30 days or more. Germinating isn’t the finish line though; it’s the starting point when the seed begins to sprout. So, how long does it take grass seed to grow into a full lawn? Depending on the factors mentioned above, growing a lawn from grass seed takes 9-14 weeks.
Grass Seed Price vs. Sod Price
How much does it cost to transform your lawn? The price obviously varies considerably based on the yard size and which grass you choose. But we will do our best to give you a rough price comparison for grass seed and sod.
How much does sod cost?
Sod is typically sold in pallets that cover 400-500 square feet. The price of a sod pallet also varies by grass species. On the more affordable grass types such as Black Beauty Fescue, Bermuda, and Bluegrass fall in the $200 range per pallet while more expensive grasses such as Zoysia varieties are in the $400-$500 range per pallet.
To put this into perspective, let’s look at the price of sod for a 5,000 square foot lawn—a typical suburban yard size. Depending on the type of grass you choose, sodding a 5,000 square foot lawn will cost approximately $2,500-$6,000.
If you’re curious about how much the sod would cost for your project, get a sod estimate with this handy sod calculator.
How much does grass seed cost?
Grass seed is significantly cheaper than sod. The price depends on the type of grass. More expensive grass seeds such as Zoysia can cost $70-$100 for a 1 lb. bag. More affordable grass seed such as Fescue costs roughly $3-$6 per pound. So, how much grass seed do you need to cover your lawn? We hate to sound like a broken record here, but it depends on the grass type. Luckily, most grass seed containers offer a recommended number of pounds per 1,000 square feet.
To help you compare the overall prices of sod and grass seed, let’s look at that 5,000 square foot lawn again.
- For Tall Fescue, the average recommendation is 8 pounds per 1,000 square feet. At $4.50/pound, grass seed for a 5,000 square foot Fescue lawn would cost about $180.
- On the higher end, let’s look at the cost of Zoysia grass seed. 10 pounds per 1,000 square feet is recommended for Zoysia. If your grass seed costs $70/pound, a 5,000 square foot Zoysia lawn would cost $3,500.
The affordability of grass seed is tempting, but don’t forget to weigh the risk/reward of going with the cheaper option. We’ll explain more in the next section.
Success Rate of Seed vs. Sod
If it doesn’t grow, it’s a waste of money. You’ll be back at square one staring at a bare, brown, or patchy yard, and out hundreds or thousands of dollars. With so many variables to consider and the unpredictability of nature, there’s no 100% guarantee that your yard will turn out perfect, it’s always a gamble. However, the odds are far from even when comparing grass seed success rates and sod success rates.
Grass Seed is a Gamble
Grass seed has a higher risk of failure compared to sod. Many of the reasons that grass seed fails are linked to the fact that the seedling and early germination stages are highly vulnerable.
- Lack of Nutrients: New seedlings require nutrients to start growing. If your soil lacks nutrients (which you probably do not know), growth will be limited or fail completely.
- Poor Seed Quality: Old seed loses viability over time. Cheap, poor-quality seeds have a low germination rate. Low quality seeds are difficult to identify and frequently sold.
- Natural Threats: Seeds and seedlings are highly vulnerable to the following.
- Birds & Bugs love to feast on grass seed and new seedlings and can potentially eat up your whole lawn.
- Weeds: Weeds germinate quickly and grow aggressively compared to new grass, often outcompeting it for nutrients, water, and sunlight.
- Fungus: Fungal diseases commonly kill young seedlings in overly wet conditions.
- Erosion: Heavy rain, strong winds, or steep terrain can wash away loose or newly sown grass seeds, causing bare patches or a thin lawn.
- Improper Watering: Overwatering leads to rot or washes away seed while underwatering causes seeds to dry out and die. Improper watering is one of the most common reasons grass seed fails.
Sod is a Safe Bet
Sod has a higher success rate because it is heartier and therefore less vulnerable to natural threats. It’s a far less risky investment compared to grass seed. If you do your homework and take care of it properly, sod is almost guaranteed to yield a beautiful lawn.
- A Head Start: By purchasing sod, you surpass the vulnerable early stages of grass growth. When your sod arrives it will already be robust and strong enough to fight off most of the factors that prevent grass seed from growing.
- Expertly Grown: Sod is grown by experienced farmers who carefully cultivate strong grass crops. They ensure that the sod is ready and properly harvested before it leaves the farm.
- Fresh and Viable: A reputable sod farm will ensure that sod is fresh when delivered to maximize viability.
- Weed Resistance: The dense mat of sod covers the soil, blocking sunlight from weed seeds which prevents them from germinating and growing. Sod’s established root system smothers and outcompetes weeds for resources.
- Erosion Control: As opposed to grass seed that is vulnerable to erosion, sod stabilizes soil in areas prone to erosion.
Choosing the Right Grass Type
The success of your grass is largely dependent on choosing the right grass type for your property.
Factors to consider:
- Climate
- Sun Exposure
- Soil PH
- Foot Traffic
- Seasonal Appearance
- Maintenance Level
- Water Needs
- Resilience
- Visual Preference
Choosing the right grass is the difference between wasting money and investing in something you will appreciate for the foreseeable future.
Trusted Sod Experts
If you get your sod through a quality sod farm, their staff will help you choose the right grass type for your project. They will discuss all the factors above and can even visit your project site to evaluate the variables themselves. This attention to detail sets you up for success.
Grass Seed Guesswork
It might be easy to walk into a garden store and grab some grass seed, but choosing the right grass type isn’t so easy. Unless you have extensive knowledge of gardening, grass, and landscaping, the factors above will be difficult to compute and the odds of choosing the right grass type at random are slim. Even if you find a helpful store employee, they won’t be able to see the project site in person and their knowledge will most likely be broad rather than grass specific.
Grass Seed vs. Sod Summarized
Grass Seed Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Cheaper
- Easy to plant
- Variety/Availability at most garden stores
- Cons
- Higher risk of failure/unpredictability
- Vulnerable to weeds
- Susceptible to erosion
- Long wait time—takes months to mature
- Strict installation windows
Sod Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Instant results
- High success rate
- Reduced erosion
- Weed suppression
- Broader installation windows
- Guidance from sod farmers/sellers
- Cons
- Higher Cost
- Limited variety
- Transportation & Labor
At a crossroads? We’re here to help!
If you can’t decide between sod and grass seed, Crossroads Sod Farm is here to help! There’s no shame in the grass seed game, but we would love the opportunity to provide you with information, grass options, discuss your project, and give you a sod quote so you can make an informed decision.
Crossroads Sod Farm is a full-service sod company offering sod installation, sod pick-up, and sod delivery in TN and AL. We have a network of expert sod farmers who grow excellent grass and quick sod delivery because we know that freshness is key! We are family owned and operated and truly passionate about what we do. Take the first step toward a gorgeous green lawn, contact us today! Want to know more about pricing? Use our free sod calculator to get an instant sod estimate.