From Plat to Place
The Step By Step Home Construction Site
Step 91 - Installing Sod
Landscaping Continues. Sod Installed.
The sod arrived for the yard and was put down right before a gentle rain, perfect timing. The front yard's sod, as well as the seeded grass in the back yard are Tall Fescue, a species of grass common to our area. The sod makes for a picture perfect lawn in only a few hours time and is very easy to install.
Things We Learned Along The Way
Sod or Natural Grass: What are the Differences?
All homeowners certainly want his or her front lawn to look its best. In order to achieve this, some people call qualified contractors in order to install natural grass or sod. The type of grass actually depends on what the owner wants the lawn to look like and how fast he or she wants to see results. Natural grass typically takes two weeks to sprout. Sod can be laid in one day and the yard is complete.
Sod is a carpet of dirt with grass already planted on it. It is installed similar to carpet; the sod is laid down over the soil just like spreading carpet over an area. One of the ideal ways to compare sod and natural grass is to look at how each type is used on athletic fields. Remember that synthetic grass is proven as a recommended type of grass that can be used in vigorous activities such as football, soccer and even baseball. Even concerts and other crowd-related events are ideal for sod. Natural grass, on the other hand, is focused more on the gardening aspects, as it can prove more beneficial to any seeds that are planted underneath the soil. A study has proven that sports played on natural grass allow the owners of the field to save money on expenses when it comes to field restoration.
The downside with sod is that installation and purchase of it is more expensive. Natural grass installation is simply all about seeds and gardening tools, whereas one will talk about miles and miles of carpeted soil when buying artificial grass. Take note that this option might also include an irrigation system, pesticides and regular watering maintenance. True, sod does not require any essential tending process, whereas the other natural choice is intended for gardeners and green thumb-owners alike.
Another thing the lawn owner needs to consider is that when it comes to planting natural grass, the placement of the seeds may be affected by wind patterns. Birds are even free to dive down and take seeds, which disrupts the process of germination. Natural grass planting is also highly susceptible to drought, since this type of grass relies on water in order to grow successfully. Turf or sod grass is able to solve these problems immediately. With the utmost care given, the newly installed sod will immediately adjust to its new surroundings and will prove effective after about 30 days. The best part about using artificial grass is that its status after 30 days of maintenance can even surpass that of the status of natural grass three years after planting.
It all comes down to the type of person who has the responsibility of taking care of the lawn. A laidback and relaxed lawn maintenance would simply require the choice of sod or artificial grass, whereas someone who loves gardening or someone with a spare time on his or her hands might opt to choose to plant natural grass. In the end, no matter which type of grass one selects, there is no denying both of their effects to the lawn, making it as brightly green as possible.
Check with your local landscaper for prices on sod, as opposed to planting natural grass. You may be able to find a reasonable price that will be money well spent. Sod is instant and gratifying. Natural grass may take time, especially if you miss areas and have trouble keeping up with the maintenance of it. Properly landscaped lawns always add a certain appeal to any home. Once you have an established budget for landscaping a lawn, check into several options and find out which one will best suit your needs.