Everyone is impressed by a beautiful green lawn. It’s inviting. It’s beneficial for the environment. It is the contrasting frame that accents your landscape plantings. And best of all, it increases the value of your property.
Which type of lawn is best?
There are a few common options for achieving a lush, green lawn. Sod can be rolled out for an immediate green look, seeding or hydroseeding are inexpensive options which allow you to choose the exact varieties of grass in your lawn, and artificial turf is a maintenance-free alternative that is especially appealing in desert areas.
Sod.
Sod is the most common option people choose, It has instant appeal, the initial maintenance to get it established is much easier, and it has a tight root system so few weeds grow into it. However, sod can be more susceptible to disease than a seeded lawn, and the initial installation costs more than seeding.
Seed.
A hand-seeded lawn is an easy option for homeowners who want to do it themselves. The advantage to seeding is that you can tailor your seed choices to the soil type, sun, and amount of traffic the lawn will get. The disadvantage is that when you create ideal conditions for lawn seed to sprout, weed seeds will also come up.
Lawn Installation Questions
When is The Best Time to Seed?
Best results are achieved during late summer/early fall. Warm days and cool nights are ideal. New grass has time to mature before winter without competition from vigorous weeds. Although sometimes necessary, lawn seeding in the spring and summer is not recommended. Newly emerging grass will struggle and be crowded out by fast-growing weeds and crabgrass. Hot temperatures can adversely affect delicate new grass. Although seeding can be performed at this time, some areas may require touch-up seeding in the fall.
What if My Yard is Shady?
Inadequate sunlight is often a major factor in lawn deterioration. Shading increases as nearby trees mature. Selective pruning or tree removal may be required to increase penetration of sunlight.