Is sod different from grass?

Sod and grass may seem very similar at first glance, but there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we’ll take a close look at what sod and grass are, how they are grown, and the main similarities and differences between them.

What is Sod?

Sod refers to grass that has been grown and harvested specifically for the purpose of transplanting it as instant turf. Sod is composed of grass blades and roots that are grown together on top of a backing material such as soil, sand, or peat moss. Pieces of sod are cut into sections, typically rectangular in shape, that are then transplanted and used to establish lawns or turf areas.

Some key characteristics of sod:

• Grown on dedicated sod farms or turf farms
• Cut into sections, which hold the grass blades and roots together
• Provides an instant lawn that is ready for use as soon as it is installed
• Can be laid on top of soil or existing grass
• Requires proper installation for the sod to root into the soil

The grass varieties used for sod include bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass, and Bermuda grass. The grass is grown densely to produce a thick, lush section of turfgrass when harvested.

What is Grass?

Grass refers to any species of plants from the Poaceae family that have narrow leaves and hollow, jointed stems. There are thousands of different grass species, both cool-season grasses that thrive in temperate climates and warm-season grasses adapted to tropical and subtropical regions.

Some examples of common grass species are:

• Kentucky bluegrass
• Perennial ryegrass
• Tall fescue
• Bermudagrass
• Zoysia grass
• St. Augustine grass

When we refer to “grass” in the context of lawns and turf, we’re typically talking about turfgrass, or grass varieties that are ideal for creating lawns, sports fields, and other turf areas. Turfgrasses are valued for characteristics like their density, texture, color, and tolerance of foot traffic.

Unlike sod, grass from seed is grown directly on the site where the lawn or turf is desired. The grass seeds germinate and the grass plants establish roots down into the soil.

How is Sod Grown?

Sod is grown on specialized farms called sod farms or turf farms. Ideal sod is composed of dense, lush turfgrass that retains its form when harvested in sections. To achieve this, sod growers pay careful attention to several factors:

• Soil preparation – The sod is grown on top of a soil base. This soil is carefully cultivated and amended to provide ideal texture, drainage, and nutrients for the grass roots.
• Grass species and cultivars – Sod growers select turfgrass cultivars that are hardy, dense, and able to retain their form when harvested.
• Seeding rate – The grass seed is sown very thickly at high seeding rates to achieve a lush, dense growth.
• Fertilization – Balanced fertilization provides the grass plants with proper nutrients for growth and color.
• Weed control – Weed competition is eliminated so that the desired grass grows as densely as possible.
• Mowing – Frequent mowing helps the grass tiller and fill in densely across the sod farm.

It takes about 1-2 years for sod to fully establish before it is ready for harvesting. Proper irrigation is provided across the sod farms to keep the grass healthy and actively growing. Some sod farms rotate their production, growing sod in some fields while harvesting sod from others.

How is Regular Grass Grown?

Regular grass, meaning lawn and turfgrass not grown intentionally as sod, is established from seed rather than transplanted as already-growing sections. The process includes:

• Soil preparation – The soil is tilled and amended with compost or other organic matter to create a well-draining, nutrient-rich planting bed for the grass seed.
• Seed selection – Grass seed mixes are chosen for characteristics like climate suitability, sun/shade tolerance, durability, and color.
• Seeding – The grass seed can be spread by hand or with a spreader. The seed is dispersed across the prepared soil.
• Irrigation – Keeping the seedbed moist is crucial for germination. Light, frequent watering is needed until the grass sprouts.
• Weed control – Pre-emergent herbicides may be applied to limit weed competition with the young grass plants.
• Fertilization – Starter fertilizer provides nutrients to help the grass establish an extensive root system.

It can take 2-3 weeks for the grass seed to fully germinate and sprout. Proper watering, mowing, and fertilization are needed as the grass matures. It typically takes 6-10 weeks for newly seeded lawns to become fully established. Overseeding can thicken up areas as needed.

Similarities Between Sod and Grass

Although they are planted differently, there are some key similarities between sod and regular grass:

• Both provide dense, lush, green turfgrass as the end product.
• Common turfgrass species like bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue are used for both sod and seed.
• With proper care, both sod and grass can produce healthy, attractive lawns.
• Both act as ground cover and can tolerate foot traffic once established.
• Regular mowing, watering, fertilization, and weed control are needed for either to thrive.

Whether grown as sod or grass from seed, the desired outcome is a uniform, dense lawn or turf area with healthy, actively growing grass.

Differences Between Sod and Grass

There are also several important differences between sod and grass:

Sod	Grass
Grown at specialized farms specifically for transplanting	Grown from seed directly where the lawn is desired
Mature sections cut and transplanted immediately	Starts from seed and takes weeks to establish
Provides instant turfgrass lawn	Requires patience as grass germinates and matures
More expensive upfront cost	Less expensive for seed and starter fertilizer
Labor-intensive installation process	Easier for DIY planting of grass seed
Can be laid over existing grass or soil	Requires soil preparation and planting bed
Roots must establish into soil after transplanting	Roots establish as seeds germinate

As you can see, sod provides an instant finished lawn, while grass from seed requires more time and work to become established. Sod also avoids the patchy germination that sometimes occurs with grass seed. However, sod is more expensive upfront and requires carefully laying each roll and securing it to the soil beneath.

When is Sod Ideal?

There are certain situations where using sod is ideal over grass seed:

• Need instant lawn – Sod can provide a finished lawn area literally overnight for a special event, photo shoot, or open house.
• High traffic areas – Sod holds up better than seed to foot traffic like pet activity or play areas.
• Stopping erosion – On slopes and banks, sod holds the soil in place against erosion and runoff.
• Poor growing conditions – Sod may have better success than seed in shady, rocky, or contaminated sites.
• Anytime outside ideal seeding window – Sod can be laid in summer, winter, or whenever needed.
• Replacing damaged lawn – Sod patches can fill in dead spots and repair lawn damage.

The advantage of mature sod is that you skip over the seeding and germination process and have an established lawn transplanted right into place.

When is Grass Seed Ideal?

There are times when starting a brand new lawn from grass seed is ideal:

• Cost – Grass seed is cheaper than purchasing and installing sod.
• Large area – Seeding an acre or more can be prohibitively expensive with sod.
• DIY Project – Homeowners can easily sow grass seed themselves.
• Custom seed mixes – Unique seed blends can be used for sites like shady lawns.
• No instant need – Grass from seed works fine when there is time for it to sprout and mature.
• Overseeding – Seeding fills in thin or damaged spots in existing lawns.

For new lawns, large areas, budget-friendly projects, or times when instant turf is not needed, grass seed can work perfectly well with proper care and patience.

Key Considerations for Choosing Sod vs. Seed

If you are deciding between sod vs. grass seed for establishing a new lawn, here are some key considerations:

• How quickly do you need the lawn established? Sod provides instant gratification.
• What is your budget? Sod is more expensive upfront than grass seed.
• How large is the area? For acres of turf, seed is likely more affordable.
• How much maintenance are you able to commit to? Seed requires frequent watering at first.
• What growing conditions exist? Sod may work better than seed in poor soil or climates.
• How experienced are you with lawn care? DIY-ers can easily plant grass seed.

Also factor in the time of year and your climate. Cool-season grasses like fescue may be seeded in fall, while warm-season grasses like Bermuda sod are laid in spring and summer in warmer regions. An experienced lawn care professional can advise you on the ideal planting times.

Caring for New Sod vs. Seeded Grass

Once your new lawn is in place, whether from sod or seed, proper maintenance is crucial during the establishment phase:

New sod care:

• Water 3x daily for first 2 weeks, then 1x daily for 2 more weeks.
• Let soil dry between watering; avoid saturation.
• Roll sod to secure it flush with soil surface.
• Mow once sod roots secure it in place, about 2-3 weeks after install.
• Avoid heavy traffic until sod takes root.
• Weed killers or fertilizer should wait 6 weeks until sod is established.

New grass seed care:

• Water lightly and frequently, keeping top 1″ of soil moist.
• Mow once grass reaches 3″ tall, cutting no more than 1/3 height.
• Wait 6 weeks after sprouting for fertilizer or weed control.
• Avoid heavy foot traffic until lawn is mature, about 10 weeks.
• Reseed thin or patchy areas.

Proper mowing, watering, fertilization, and weed control will help nurture the new lawn as it establishes. Overseeding can thicken up areas from either planting method.

Conclusion

While sod and grass both provide lush green lawn cover, there are distinct differences between these two turfgrass options. Sod offers instant results perfect for many situations, while grass seed requires patience and care as it sprouts and matures into a lawn.

Cost, project scale, lawn use, climate, and maintenance commitment are all factors to weigh when deciding between sod and seed. With wise selection and proper installation and care, both sod and grass seed can result in a beautiful, healthy lawn that provides an attractive landscape.