Grass Seed vs. Sod—Which Is Better?

close up of landscaper laying rolls of sod on bare land

Appealing outdoor spaces reflect well on your commercial property. No outdoor space is complete without a layer of thick, green grass. If you’re ready to add healthy grass to your outdoor space, you might be wondering: Should I seed or sod? The answer depends on your space, schedule, and budget.

Differences Between Commercial Grass Seed and Sod

Both seed and sod are grass, but the way they transform into a lawn on your property is vastly different. If you choose grass seed, you have to prepare your soil, lay down seeds during late summer or early fall, and water your lawn at least twice a day for around a month without washing away seeds or sprouts. With sod, you have to fully tear out your old lawn, add new topsoil, lay the sod, and water consistently for a few weeks until it builds a root system.

Grass seed requires far more patience—you won’t see the full results of a seeded lawn until a year or two into the growing process. Sod, on the other hand, looks thick and healthy from day one because it comes in pre-grown squares. With both options, you need to be careful not to let pedestrians walk on newly planted areas.

If sod instantly gives you a vibrant lawn and takes less work to grow, why even consider grass seed? There are many benefits to seeded lawns, but the biggest benefit by far is cost.

Grass Seed vs. Sod Cost

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly commercial grass option, grass seed is the clear winner. Depending on the option you choose, seed costs up to 95% less than sod per square foot. In an ample outdoor space, these cost savings are significant. If you’re making your decision based purely on cost, grass seed mix is the better option.

Though grass seed is a cost-effective commercial landscaping option, it might not be feasible for you to spend a month watering your seed multiple times a day and making sure people don’t walk on seeded areas. Additionally, you might not want to greet your clients with a bare, muddy space for an entire month while waiting for your seed to grow. Before making your decision, consider what your short- and long-term goals are for your commercial landscaping.

Key Differences Between Sod and Seed

If you put cost aside, there are a few differences between sod and seed that influence which option is suitable for your commercial landscaping needs. Though both options can give you the thick lawn you’re looking for, each has its drawbacks.

Pros and Cons of Sod

Sod gives you an instant lawn immediately upon installation, which is a huge benefit for commercial spaces with a lot of foot traffic. You could sod your property in one weekend and have a full lawn greeting your clients and employees the following week. Additionally, you can lay sod at almost any point in the year. Warm-season grasses grow well in the late spring, and cool-season grasses grow well in early spring and fall.

If you want a variety of grass options to choose from, sod isn’t your best choice. You are limited to what sod growers cultivate. Sod also grows in full sun, so if you transplant it to an area with high shade, it may not survive.

Pros and Cons of Seed

Though seed takes a long time to grow, there are countless options that you can choose from. If you live in a difficult growing climate, you can find a grass seed variety that is a perfect fit for your area. Grown grass seed also works well in both sunny and shady areas, unlike sod. If your outdoor space gets limited sunlight, seeded lawns will grow better, and they will establish a deep, healthy root system.

Seed lawns don’t stand up as well to high traffic compared to installed sod, and they will only sprout during a limited growing season. The initial lawn care process is also much more intensive for seeded lawns.

Grow a Lush Lawn With Help From Varsity, Inc.

Regardless of the seed or sod option you choose, our team at Varsity can help you grow a thick, vibrant lawn on your commercial property. We help you select a lawn or turf grass variety that fits your needs and prepare your soil for a new lawn. After 40+ years in the commercial landscaping business, we have discovered the best lawn solutions for commercial spaces of all shapes and sizes.

If you’re ready to create an appealing outdoor space for your commercial property, contact us today to learn more about our grass installation and lawn maintenance services.