Suffolk County Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance
B & B Maintenance Services, Inc.

A Suffolk County Landscaping & Lawn Care Maintenance Company. Office: (631) 567-0631 Cell: (631) 335-4056

Seed vs. Sod.

Suffolk County Seed and Sod Installation by B & B Maintenance Services, Inc.

 Which is better, to seed or to sod? The answer depends upon what you would like and what you expect.

With sod, you will get an instant lawn, along with instant gratification. However, sod is more expensive to install and maintain at first. Sod is also made up of mostly bluegrass, which gives it that deep green color, but it tends to be a little less drought resistant.

Seeded lawns call for more patience. Most seed is a combination of fescue, bluegrass and rye. The rye is used to quickly establish a seed bed for the fescue and bluegrass and dies off after the first year. Because of the fescue's pale color, seeded lawns tend not to have the deep green color of sod, however after a year or so of good care, few people can tell the difference.

Keep in mind, even sod was seed at one time! The truth is both seed and sod will flourish if you maintain and water them correctly. It really comes down to 2 factors; speed and expense.

Below is a comparison chart of seed vs. sod. Observe the chart carefully and make a decision to which type of lawn you would like or contact us for a free consultation.


 SEED 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 fertilizers, grade and level for smooth surface, remove all debris, lightly pack and moisten. Same for all varieties of lawn installation: Deeply till soil, add necessary amendments and fertilizers, grade and level for smooth surface, remove all debris, lightly pack and moisten.
WATER REQUIREMENTS Highest water needs- Bare soil will dry quickly. Water lightly for 3-4 weeks, keeping surface moist, begin to apply 1-inch of water per week after mowing. Lowest water needs- Water at installation to a depth of 6-inches, then light waterings for next 2-3 weeks. Grass will shade soil and prevent drying.
SEED QUALITY Extremely variable because of germination rates, weed and foreign matter content; unknown or unspecified varieties. Generally lower quality seed than used in cultivated sod production. Highest available sod quality, certified, elite seed or sprigs. Certified to prove specific variety. Mixtures and blends used to suit area needs.
WEED CONTROL Multiple applications of chemicals usually required to combat competitive weed invasions until turf is well established. Mulch layer may reduce some problems. Minimal, if any chemical control needed.
UNIFORMITY OF COVERAGE Seeding varieties, rates, germination times, wash-outs (erosion), traffic, feeding birds and rodents can create spottiness. Mulch layer may reduce some problems. 99 to 100% uniformity with use of mature turfgrass sod.
RUNOFF / EROSION Heavy rains or sloping areas will cause seed, chemicals and silt to wash onto sidewalks and into sewer systems. Little if any protection. Mulch should reduce erosion/runoff for several months. Capable of handling heavy rains without erosion or damage.
VISUAL IMPACT Rough texture and open soil. Immediate beauty of a "complete" and mature landscape.
USABILITY 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.
COST VS. VALUE Higher management and maintenance costs, compounded by increased water and chemical applications, as well as delay of use, poor uniformity and lack of visual appeal are trade-offs for lower installation cost. Installation costs offset by added values of timing, useability, uniformity and visual appeal. Reduced maintenance, chemical and water costs.

B & B Maintenance Services, Inc. - Your Suffolk County Landscaping Solution (631) 567-0631