In today's world of gardening, there exists a discussion so heated that puts even the age-old coffee vs. tea debate to shame. And it all began with one deceivingly simple question – should you seed or sod your lawn? As it turns out, both sides of the coin have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages and it is up to you to make the final call. Take a look at the differences below to make an informed decision that you won't end up regretting later.
Let's Talk Business
If Frankenstein was a gardener, then turfing would have been his lawn growing method of choice. Why? Because sod is, essentially, a patch of professionally treated lawn that is transplanted on bare soil. A very expensive patch of lawn that will save you heaps of time... if you know what you're doing. If not, there are many reliable turfing London companies who will gladly offer their help.
Don't have the extra cash? Don't worry – even the most expensive seed mix is infinitely more affordable than buying grass shaped like welcome mats. But keep in mind that it will take much longer than 24 hours for your lawn to sport the soothing pastel green that everybody knows and loves. In fact, you won't see any of it for several months on end!
Turfing & Seeding – The Good News
The main benefit of turfing can be described with two words – “instant lawn”. Lay the patches of grass closely together, fill the joints with a mixture of sand and soil, wait for about two weeks for the roots to develop and you'll be ready to throw a barbecue party. Another advantage it has over seeding is that you can plant the grass anytime you wish – as long as it gets its fair share of water, even winter won't hamper its growth. Sod is also virtually weed-free, can lead a healthy life even on erosive slopes, and can endure the foot traffic of children or pets.
Seeding, however, also has its uses. Here, you are not limited to a few types of grass and can plant as many varieties as you desire. But this is not a purely cosmetic benefit – you can get species that are tolerant to sun or shade, resist various diseases, and so on. Seeds do not require transplantation and will establish a much more deeper and stable root system. On top of that, locally grown seeds are not as water-thirsty as sod and can be used to also patch up a lawn as opposed to only grow it from scratch.
Turfing & Seeding – The Bad News
As revolutionary as it may sound, lawn turfing does suffer from several shortcomings. For starters, you've got a very limited selection in terms of grass species. This stems from the fact that not every variety can be uprooted and expected to thrive in a different microclimate. Because of its feeble roots, sod will also need to be watered well over the course of the next two or three months. Shade tolerance is non-existent – exposed to cool temperatures, turf will shrink and the gaps between the mats will grow larger. At this stage, it will be only a matter of time before weeds invade.
Unfortunately, seeding is not without its faults either. Unlike turf, seeds are heavily restricted by seasons – your best bet is to grow them between mid-spring or early autumn... and seed germination could take up to 10 whole days! For the next several months, any spotted weeds will have to be uprooted by hand, because the use of herbicides may stunt the development of your lawn. But your real enemy here is rain – a heavy downpour can easily wash away a significant portion of your seeds and you might have to start all over.
A Healthy Soil Makes a Healthy Lawn
When the grass starts to wither, many gardeners are quick to put the blame on the quality of their seeds or sod. While the latter is not impossible, the most likely reason that their grass didn't feel at home is because of poor soil preparation. That is why it's recommended that you conduct a soil test as soon as you feel like growing a lawn. Ideally, the results will show that you have a sandy loam soil, which is perfect for growing grass. If not, a bit of peat or other organic matter is all it takes to make clay soil and other varieties hospitable as well.
Before buying any seeds or turf, make sure to get rid of perennial weeds, such as bindweed or Dandelions, either by hand or with a non-residual weed killer. Try to stay away from commercial herbicides, because they can cause more harm than do good. It's all due to the fact that they contain highly toxic chemicals. Your next step is to finely grade the area for proper drainage. Then, consult with your soil test results and add as much potassium fertilizer, nitrogen, or phosphorous as needed. Once you rake the surface and use a roller to level and slightly compact the soil, you'll be ready to transplant or sow the lush lawn you've always wanted!
Comments