| FACTORS TO CONSIDER |
SEED |
HYDROSEED |
TURFGRASS SOD |
| Time of Year to Install |
Not recommended for Winter or Summer, possible in spring , best in Fall for most areas. |
Year-round installation, even on frozen ground if sod is available. |
| Soil Preparation |
Same for all types of lawn installation: Deeply till soil, add necessary amendments and fertilizer, grade and level for smooth surface, remove all debris, lightly pack & moisten. |
| Water Requirements |
Highest water needs - Bare soil will dry quickly. |
Moderate to high water needs. Mulch will preserve some moisture. |
Lowest water needs - Water at installation to a depth of 6-inches, then light waterings for next 2-3 weeks. Grass will shade soil & prevent drying. |
| Water lightly for 3 to 4 weeks, keeping surface moist, begin to apply 1-inch of water per week after the first mowing. |
| Seed Quality |
Extremely variable because of germination rates, weed and foreign matter content; unknown of unspecified varieties. Generally lower quality seed than used in cultivatied sod production. |
Typically highest available sod quality, certified, elite seed. May be certified to prove specific variety. Mixtures & blends used to suit area needs. |
| Weed Control |
Multiple applications of chemicals usually required to combat competitive weed invasions until turf is well established. |
Minimal, if any chemical control required. |
| Uniformity of Coverage |
Seeding varieties, rates, germinatin times, wash-outs (erosion), traffic, feeding birds and rodents can create spottiness. |
99 to 100% uniformity with use of mature turfgrass sod. |
| |
Mulch layer may reduce some problems. |
| Runoff/Erosion |
Heavy rains or sloping areas will cause see, chemicals and silt to wash onto sidewalks and into sewer systems. |
Capable of accepting heavy rains without erosion or damage. |
| Little, if any protection for several months. |
Mulch should reduce erosion/runoff. |
| Visual Impact |
Rough texture and open soil. |
Colored mulches act to camouflage soil appearance. |
Immediate beauty of a "complete" and mature landscape. |
| Useability |
Low traffic use 2 to 4 months after seeding with faster germinating seed. Normal to high use only after first year. |
Low traffic immediately. Normal, high traffic levels within 2 to 3 weeks. |
| Installation Cost |
Lowest cost. |
Low to mid-level cost. |
Highest cost. |
| Cost vs. Value |
Higher management and maintenance costs, compounded by increased water and chemical applications, as well as delay of use, poor uniformity and visually unappealing are trade-offs for lower installation cost. |
Installation costs offset by added values o ftiming,m useability uniformity and visual appeal. Reduced maintenance, chemical and water costs. |
