When consulting with homeowners about their gardens, one common question comes up:
“Should we start the lawn from seed, or is sod a better choice?”
From an aesthetic perspective, a healthy, well-maintained lawn is one of the most visually appealing parts of a garden. So in most cases, choosing grass is a safe choice. However, recently, some homeowners are concerned about Chafer Beetle damage when establishing a new lawn.
There are two main ways to create a lawn: from seed or by installing sod. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Starting a Lawn from Seed
This method involves spreading grass seed directly onto the prepared soil.
Advantages:
- Relatively low installation cost.
Disadvantages:
- Takes a long time for the grass to establish, often over two months.
- Initial watering is crucial.
- Higher chance of weeds appearing alongside grass.
- It takes time for the seed to germinate and form a uniform lawn. During this period, weed seeds in the soil may also sprout, resulting in uneven initial growth.
Installing Sod
Sod involves pre-grown grass cut into mats, which are then laid onto the soil like a carpet.
Advantages:
- Quick lawn establishment.
- More uniform and consistent lawn quality.
Disadvantages:
- Higher installation cost compared to seeds.
- Sod establishes quickly, making it ideal for homeowners who want a finished garden in a short time.
Soil Preparation for Seeded Lawns
When seeding, the method varies depending on how much existing soil is removed.
- One approach is to leave the existing soil and add a thin layer of topsoil before spreading the seed.
- Another approach is to remove some of the existing soil and replace it with new soil before seeding.
Generally, more new soil helps seed growth, but it may also increase weed emergence. Achieving the same uniform quality as sod in the early stages is often challenging.
Chafer Beetle Damage and Lawn Establishment
Many homeowners worry about Chafer Beetle larvae damaging new lawns.
In this case, there isn’t a significant difference between seed and sod. Seeded lawns can also be affected during early root growth. Both methods are susceptible under similar conditions.
Severe damage that kills an entire lawn is rare. Even in soil with Chafer Beetles, sod rarely disappears entirely.
Spring and early summer are peak growth periods, so lawns grow quickly and can tolerate larvae damage better than in other seasons. The key is balancing the grass’s root growth speed with the larvae feeding rate.
Other Potential Issues
In areas with Chafer Beetles, raccoons may dig up lawns looking for larvae.
This is especially common in newly installed sod. In such cases, stakes or sticks can be used to secure the sod and prevent lifting.
Observations on Lawn Quality
From experience, seeded lawns often produce slightly lower quality than sod.
If you’re not concerned about uniformity or speed, starting from seed is a reasonable choice. But if you want a uniform lawn that establishes quickly, sod is usually the better option.
Written by Andy Lee
Owner of Andy’s Landscape Inc. – Landscape Contractor in Maple Ridge, BC