Hydroseeding vs. Sod
Want a great lawn but not sure how to get there? You may have heard a bit about both hydroseeding and sod but are a bit unsure which is the right choice for you. There are pros and cons to each, so how do you decide? Let’s take a look at both options.
What is Hydroseeding?
Hydroseed is a mixture that contains seeds, mulch, water, and fertilizer, which is sprayed on bare soil. It usually includes two types of seed, blue grass and rye. Dark green and blue grass is the preferred variety, usually taking 22-30 days to germinate and 2 months for full growth.
Hydroseeding is typically used to seed grass on commercial sites (highways/motorways etc.). Grass will begin to appear faster than with regular seeding, though obviously you will not have the same-day lawn that sodding provides.
The cheaper option of the two, hydroseeding requires that all organic material such as existing grass and weeds be removed before the mixture is applied. Further, the seed can be damaged by the fertilizer and water it is mixed with if it is left in the hydroseeding equipment for too long before application. You also won’t be able to enjoy or walk on your lawn for about a month. Additionally, the hydroseed application must occur just prior to the appropriate growing season for the grass seed that is being used.
A hydroseeding sprayer is prohibitively costly to own and operate. This method is not something you’re going to be able to undertake on your own. Instead, you’ll need to hire a hydroseeding company to do it for you.
A landscape maintenance technician will always suggest to their clients to stay away from hydro seeding for a number of reasons. It’s noticeably more sparse and will never have the same density as sod. It’s not recommended for a back yard lawn because weeds germinate faster than grass. This leads to constant weeding and unnecessary lawn maintenance.
Hydroseeding requires an excessive amount of water. Not only does the seed application method itself call for a lot of water, but hydroseeding technicians will tell you to water your newly hydroseeded lawn up to two to three times per day.
The hydroseeding mixture includes a dye that helps the technician spot which lawn areas have received treatment and which are yet to be treated. Its bright, unnatural green color is easy to spot from far away. It will fade on its own in as few as 2 days, but until then, you’ll have a very tacky looking lawn.
What is Sod?
You have probably at some point seen neighbours sodding their lawn, especially if they wanted their lawn in top shape as fast as possible. Sod is grass that has already grown and been established on a farm. It is then removed by cutting about a half of an inch or less under the roots and rolling it up almost like a rug. These rolls of grass are then laid out at the destination, creating an instant lawn.
That’s one of the biggest draws of sod – its an instantly perfect lawn.
The cost is comparable to hydro seeding. You can expect to pay roughly 40 cents more per square foot, including labour and delivery. When sodding, pieces are fit tightly together to get a dense, even lawn. There are no bare spots in a sodded yard that would require extra work, like hydroseed or seeding for example.
Sod is the faster way of getting your lawn. It does need to be watered 2 to 3 times each day to get the roots firmly established in the new soil, but you will have your lawn right away, with little preparation.
Most varieties of sod are quite hardy and when properly installed and maintained will take root quickly compared to seed. While sod does require daily watering, there is a reduced risk of failure caused by neglect, loss of seeds to birds, or loss from wind or erosion.
Sod is grown by professional turfgrass farmers, giving your lawn a strong foundation for health and beauty. Wester Turf Farms has been a family owned business since the 1950’s, giving them the knowledge and experience necessary to grow a premium sod project. View a small selection of the turf projects here.
Which is right for you?
The correct lawn installation method for you will depend on your personal preferences.
Sod will be your choice if you’re looking to enjoy your lawn right away. The baseball field appearance of thick green grass is always a properly installed sod product. If you’re not looking to deal with weeds, or the unfinished appearance of hyrdoseeding, sod is best option for you.
Sod is the correct choice for most people. Determining which type of sod is right for you will depend on where you live. For advice on which type of sod you should choose, contact one our farmers today.
