Sod vs seed for patching concrete

While sod can be pricey and grass seed may not take in all areas, a third option to consider is hydroseeding. The fastest solution is to purchase sod that matches the lawn, dig out the bare spot to match the shape of the sod pieces, and patch the lawn. No waiting with sod, you instantly have a beautiful, manicured lawn. Its better for seed to be a little too thin than too thick. Because everything the seed needs is contained in the mat, you can even grow this sod on top of concrete, and supersod, in fact, sells a repair kit for lawnslittle squares of seed and. Remove the sod over the low spot if the area is bigger than a onefoot square, cut out multiple chunks, since a piece of sod greater than a onefoot square is hard to move around without breaking and set it aside. The sod arrives as a finished product on day one and seeding will take at least 2 years to compare. How to patch a lawn with grass seed ask this old house. Heres the best prices on some of my favorite amazon tools.

For large holes deeper than 24 inches, if turf is still. If the soil below the seed was dry, really soak it deeply. Sod is the quickest way to receive an instant lawn. Paul, minnesota with their two english springer spaniels and one feisty rabbit. There are two easy methods for restoring bald patches in your lawn.

Water the area, then amend the soil by working in either compost, leaf mold or finemilled peat moss to a depth of 3 to 5. Most sod is a blend of several kentucky bluegrass cultivars. Like the steel rollers, concrete material makes one of the most efficient rollers. It will take more patience and tending on your part, but for shady areas youll get better results with. If theres no sod present, sow grass seed on open soil. Stir concrete patching compound using a margin trowel or putty knife. Deciding on the right type of grass seed involves knowing what type of grass grows best in your specific region. Sod is more expensive than grass seeds, but it grows in much faster. A sod lawn is the most popular type of lawn for homeowners, because it is easier to establish than seed, has instant appeal, and is more reasonably priced than artificial turf. Find out just about everything you need to know by watching the video below. If you only need to patch a bare spot in your lawn or fill in where the existing turfgrass is sparse, you may choose to use plugs. However, a sod lawn may not be the right choice in every circumstance.

How to patch a lawn with grass seed this old house. Scotts ez seed patch and repair 10lb bermuda lawn repair mix. Both seeds and sod need to be soaked to a depth of 4 inches the first day, followed by daily, or even twice daily, watering until wellestablished. Costs vary, but in general, expect to pay at least 40 cents a square foot for sod you install yourself. A nice, thick lawn requires healthy soil as its base, but this can be difficult to do once grass is established. It outcompetes weed seeds that that try to move in early on. Sodding can be done when the soil is dry enough to work, and the sod will have enough time to root before winter. So, its no wonder why dozens of you emailed me, requesting i try patch perfect on does it work wednesday. Youll get better results in highly shaded areas using 12 lb.

Grass seed plays an important role in helping you maintain a beautiful, thick, green lawn. Use either fertilizer from your local garden supply center or compost from your. Many seed boxes have examples of what the right density of seed will look like. Its also important to choose the best grass variety for the sun and shade conditions of your yard. The best time of year to install new sod in warm season turf areas is late spring to early summer. Additionally, not all types of sod are of equal quality. Okay, well maybe its not consuming your everyday thoughts but if you currently have a yard of dirt, you may be pondering about whether laying sod or planting seeds is the better option when it comes to getting that green lawn of your dreams. So you wont have to cut the sod in odd shapes, remove the dead grass so that the prepared area forms a square. More durable sod isnt as fragile, at least initially. This mixture repairs stubborn bare spots quickly and seamlessly blends into existing lawns. Lawn repair for ruts and small holes in yard bioadvanced.

The unique combination of scotts high performance seed, premium continuous release lawn food, and superabsorbent growing material, make. A prime disadvantage of sod is the limited number of grass species included in sod mixes. When you buy sod to put in a shady area, it will have to adapt. When spread on the lawn you want to see 1520 seeds per sq. The grass patch mixture will be nice and dark when damp so it will be easy to see if and when it dries out. Concrete is more durable than steel as it isnt affected by rust. The process of adding a thin layer of soil on top of your lawn is a great way to improve it without disturbing existing grass. Setting the highest standards for the industry, we strategically placed sod farms and sod stores throughout the southeast. Heres to a summer of barbecues and games of frisbee on an impeccably green lawn. Okay, well maybe its not consuming your everyday thoughts but if you currently have a yard of dirt, you may be pondering about whether laying sod or planting seeds is the better option when it comes to getting that green lawn. Both seed and sod come in a range of different grass types, including fescue 1 and bermuda. Use a grass seed that matches what you already have in your lawn.

Top dressing with sand should i put sand on my lawn. Packed with premium smart seed grass seed, professionalgrade fertilizer and improved wood mulch formula, everything you need is premixed in the bag. When you need seed for your lawn, its important to consider the type of project you have and choose the correct grass seed product for your needs. For bare spots, the ideal product is scotts ez seed. You dont have to worry about the lawn being destroyed in the first few weeks. You can lay down sod at any time during the gardening season. Because everything the seed needs is contained in the mat, you can even grow this sod on top of concrete, and supersod, in fact, sells a repair. Since it is alive, keep it moist until youre able to install it. Make sure the sod makes good contact with the prepared soil bed. Easier and more economical to diy than other methods. Included was fully sodded front and side yard, plus 5 feet around the back of the house next to the foundation. It will take more patience and tending on your part, but for shady areas youll get better results with seed.

You can purchase mixed grass seed that is designed to meet specific needs, such as droughtresistant grasses or mixes that you can grow to repair damaged lawns seed mixtures. Seeds should be watered lightly and regularlyevery couple of days. Spread the seed, then water frequently with a gentle spray until the grass is growing. Remove excess concrete and construction debris from the driveway edges, being. In this video, this old house landscape contractor roger cook and host kevin oconnor patch a lawn with grass seed. The strengths and weaknesses of each offset the others to keep your lawn green and healthy. Reseeded and hayed this past aprilmay, seeds germinated nicely, but our fertilizer guy, who claimed to know all about eco lawn and its fescue mix, put some mild broadleaf weed killer on the eco lawn way before it reached the 3. Once this soil is graded, its time for grass seed, fertilizer and topdressing. Sod is pregrown grass that comes in rolls of about 2 feet by 5 feet.

A great way to view and understand your building or repair project before you get started. One of the two major factors involved in the decision to sod or seed is expense. All coolseason sod lawns are planted by seed, and after they mature in 3 to 4 months, they are harvested by knife and shipped to your door for installation. Seed germination blankets made from wood fiber keep seeds and soil in place for erosion control. But, in the long run the amount of watering, fertilizing, care risk of failures or washouts, and weed killing applications will be much more expensive than sod. Compare sod vs seeding a lawn costs compare product choices. And in southern states, which favor warmseason grasses like bermudagrass, zoysia grass, and centipede grass, sod is the best way to cover the yard at any time of year, since these turf types cannot be grown from seed. But again, hydroseed needs a lot of water, but you should be able to mow the grass 46 weeks after seeding.

Oct, 20 planting sod in bald areas is something that you can do after youve properly prepared the soil. Although kentucky 31 has been specially adapted for the cool planting zones that are unique to the northeastern states, it also does very well in some warmer areas of the u. You can rent a sod roller at home depot or pretty much any rental yard. The sod itself usually costs about 10 cents to 30 cents per square foot, depending on the type of grass you select. Planting seeds its the question on all of our minds sod or seed. Sod, on the other hand, should be watered thoroughly as soon as it is. Cost is one of the main factors when choosing between sod and seed.

Super sod is one of the souths largest suppliers of turfgrass sod and seed. When it comes to caring for your patched lawn, water is essential. After you sow seed or lay sod, watering is crucial. Step 5b spread and texture the concrete patch to match the surrounding concrete. Sow seed at the rate recommended on the package and scatter by hand or with a spreader.

Diy protips to help you decide when to use one or the other. And sod can be installed yearround, while seeds are generally planted in the spring or fall. Seed does take up to 2 years to fill in completely, however, while sod will give you a new lawn within one. The mix may also contain fertilizer, mulch and other additives to help the seed take root. Prepare for sod or seed landscape innovations fayetteville, ga. Sod vs seed my wife and i are building a house in southwest ohio and were scheduled to close at the end of october.

Repair broken edges and corners on concrete steps, curbs, slabs and walls without the use of forms with quikrete quicksetting cement, along with quikrete acrylic fortifier. If you have shady areas that need patching, stick with seed rather than sod. This easy method is inexpensive and requires only about 20 minutes of your time, plus some upkeep until the first or second mowing. Those of you that live in the northern parts of the us and grow coolseason turfgrasses like kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue or turftype tall fescue, you can either seed or sod the areas that require repair. Rake in the seed to cover with a thin layer of soil, about 12inch. Topdressing to improve the soil in your lawn todays homeowner. The heavyweight material is ideal to flatten lawns and flower beds on small and large areas. Sod the success of a sod farm starts with the quality of the seed that is planted. To get the grass seed to actually grow it is critical to keep the seed damp until the grass is established. Fill holes and areas to be repaired with the mixture. The grass seed or sod that most people have in their lawn is not the same as the grass on golf courses. Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of working with sod.

The product makers even call patch pefect grass seed on steroids. Next, mix enough grass seed so you see plenty of seed in every handful. Nick and cindy germann are young diyers living in st. If budget is your main concern, then seed is definitely the way to go. There are many options for cultivating a beautiful lawn from good oldfashioned seeding to laying sod. Here is everything you need to know when choosing sod vs. Our team of experts are committed to providing superior, fresh sod and excellent customer service for each client. You can purchase it by the pallet, and a pallets worth of rolls usually covers 400500 square feet. Measure topsoil with a ruler or measuring stick to make sure you have the right amount. Keep soil damp but not soggy until seed germinates.

Hydorseeding involves spraying grass seed mixed with water onto a specific area. We can help guide you through the maze of decisions and move you toward the goal of a lush. Add plenty of water and your lawn should be as good. The short answer is that all sod lawns start from seed except for warmseason grasses that are grown from stolons. Place at least 4 inches of topsoil over the concrete. Sod simply put, sod is the most expensive option because you are essentially paying someone else for time and materials of growing the grass. Its drawback is that it will take several weeks for the patch to fully blend into the. Homeowners will pay more for quality sod, but the extra expense is always worth it for sod that is in good condition and free of weeds and disease. As a homeowner, its important to weigh all options while taking into account your priorities for lawn care such as budget, time, and the overall aesthetic value.

Farmers harvest the grass in these strips with up to 2 inches of soil intact, so that the soil, root systems and grass stay together like a mat. Scotts ez seed patch and repair bermudagrass is a revolutionary seeding product designed to grow in tough conditions. Be sure to cover the area with the seed, but dont use so much that you create a pile. If there is thickly matted dead grass or thatch covering the spot you want to seed, you would need to remove that as your first step. Sod july 23, 2015 marcus reed youve probably seen those large bricks of sod placed on a yard for the instant lawn look, but there is a variety of other options for creating a new lawn. You may want to plant a mix of types of grass seeds. Sometimes sod gets a bad rap, but thats usually because of mistakes people make while laying it, says roger. If your lawn is patchy and thin, you have several options for bringing it to life.

Seed germination blankets made from wood fiber keep seeds. Planting and growing grass seed step by step from allyn hane, the. Prepare the damaged area by removing all dead grass and 1 to 2 of soil 34 past the edge of the dead grass. If you prefer to learn how to patch a lawn with seed, you can to do this by hand or using a spreader.

Also, although it isnt always necessary to match the variety currently growing in your lawn, try to select a seed variety that is similar in color or. Sod can be installed anytime in the growing season, except in very high heat. Some seed mixtures combine several different grass types in one seed package. Quick question soil height adjacent to concreteblacktop. Use a grub hoe to remove the damaged grass and weeds, but leave the topsoil. Gently water new seeds with the mist attachment of a sprayer or a gentle sprinkler. Spot seeding and overseeding with do it yourself grass patch. Shovel enough topsoil into the hole that, once you replace the sod, the area will be even. Lay sod squares tightly, because it may shrink initially stagger squares so the seams line up like bricklaying.

In addition to containing common grass varieties such as rye and fescue, these hardy seeds include kentucky bluegrass for a green, lush lawn. A nice, lush, green lawn is desired by most home owners but sometimes it can be quite difficult to achieve. Whether a sparse, weedy lawn needs renewing or youre facing a barren backyard, laying sod is the easy way to an instant, lush lawn. Sod and seed will both eventually lead to a beautiful green lawn that your family will enjoy all summer long. I wouldnt scratch the soil too much after rolling, it can change the grade. Plugs are small sections of sod that contain grass, roots and soil.

Choose one of penningtons varieties to give your turf the appearance, vigor and drought tolerance of a proven winner. You can sow in some new seed to fill the area, but this is best done when the temperatures are not too hot so the tender plants dont get scorched. If you hire a landscaper to do any sort of prep work, such as ripping out the old grass, removing stumps andor regrading the lawn, plan on paying. We add the final touches by hand raking the entire lawn and leaving a 1 lip at the edge of all concrete surfaces so the sod goes in flush to the concrete surface. I just priced out a sod job for a customer yesterday. If you dont know, bring a sample to a local nursery. Sod roots fastest when laid during the period of peak growth for the type of grass involved. Golf courses also generally receive more maintenance than the common lawn, such as fertilizing and watering, which ultimately helps correct deficiencies created by the addition of sand.

Lay sod squares tightly, because it may shrink initially stagger squares so the seams line up like bricklaying if you have questions about choosing lawn type, fertilizing your lawn or if youre unsure whether to seed or sod, call the grounds guys. Lawn patch products combine grass seed, fertilizer and mulch blends in one bag. Kentucky 31 have designed their tall fescue grass seed to grow into a lowmaintenance lawn that has a high tolerance to heat, so it is ideal for areas that experience a lot of sun as it is drought resistant. Designed by turf scientists, it combines three highquality components that work in harmony. Hydroseed will take less time then grass seed because it has a blanket with a fertilizer mix that holds the seed in place. Sod can provide a lawn in a shorter time than seed. I received an email today saying that theyre looking to save money and want to look into seed rather than sod. The unique combination of scotts high performance seed, premium continuous release lawn food, and superabsorbent growing material, make it possible for grass to grow in tough conditions, guaranteed. If you have questions about choosing lawn type, fertilizing your lawn or if youre unsure whether to seed or sod, call the grounds guys.

This mix contains 20% more grass seed and covers more bare spots than any other lawn patching. Seed does take up to 2 years to fill in completely, however, while sod will give you a new lawn within one day. With proper watering and a glass of lemonade, youll be. Seed is typically available in a wider range of options than sod, however, giving you more choices for color, hardiness, and lushness of the lawn.