If you are debating whether to use seed or sod for your yard, you’re going to want to keep reading. In this post we’re going to give you the advantages and disadvantages to both seed and sod for your Central Florida lawn. 

Advantages of Sod in Florida

One of the biggest advantages of sod is that it provides an instant lawn, with no wait time before your grass begins to grow.  You’ll also be able to start utilizing your lawn faster with sod, since the grass establishes itself much faster than with seed.

Another advantage is not quite what you might expect, which is that it can save you money. A Central Florida sod lawn might be a little bit of an investment at the start, but actually saves you money in the long run. With the sod lawn, you get it all at once as compared to grass seed that requires time and money for weeding, pest control, and even extra fertilization.

Lastly, with sod you’ll receive a much higher quality, denser lawn. Turfgrass is grown closer together, so you’ll experience less bare spots and won’t need to reseed, unlike when you use grass seed for your lawn. 

Disadvantages for Sod Lawns

Even though a sod lawn is almost instantly in place, it does require some work during the first couple weeks after installation – mainly ensuring that it is being watered properly (not too much or too little).

There is also some work to be done before the sod is installed, as the ground it will be installed on needs to be raked and leveled, and all weeds removed. 

Sod can also sometimes be more expensive than grass seed, as many turn to a professional to prepare their lawn for the sod and also to install it.  But once sod takes, it is easy to care for.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Seed for Your Lawn

Planting seed is often easier than putting down sod, but you will have to wait a significant amount of time before seeing the fruits of your efforts. 

You have to make sure to water the seeds frequently, but not too deeply, as the seeds need to be moist for their entire germination process.  Foot traffic must also be limited for a greater duration of time with seed than with sod, as the grass needs time to establish itself and grow to at least two inches tall before it can be walked on regularly. 

Also, if you decide to seed your lawn during a rainy season, you may have issues as it could germinate in an uneven pattern, causing an irregular yard that you would need to reseed in certain areas.

Conclusion

In the end, the choice between seed and sod comes down to how much time you have to work on your lawn, the time frame you are expecting your lawn to develop in, and how much money you are willing to spend.  Once you have considered all of these factors, you will know whether sod or seed is the right choice for your lawn. 

Ultimately, the choice of whether to sod or seed your lawn is yours. But know that if you want a lawn that is beautiful right away instead of waiting for months, sod will be the right choice for you.