Seeding and Sodding

Establishing a New Lawn

A lush, green lawn adds beauty and value to your property. Let us help you achieve the perfect lawn with our professional installation services.

When establishing a new lawn, a common question asked is, "Should I seed or sod?" The answer to this question is different for everyone depending on the area in question, as well as how much time and money you want to invest. What is your timeline and do you have a desired type of grass variety.

The most significant difference between seeding and sodding is the time it takes to establish a mature lawn. Seeding involves planting grass seed for a budget-friendly, customizable lawn that takes time to establish. We use the finest grass seed available to us. Sodding uses pre-grown grass mats for instant, mature results but costs more upfront and requires intensive initial watering. We partner with a local sod farm that uses premium blend of seeds that makes the Kentucky bluegrass more resilient.

Advantages of Seeding:

• Lower Cost: Significantly cheaper than sod, allowing for larger areas to be covered for less.
• Deeper Roots: Grass establishes in its permanent environment, creating a stronger, more drought-resistant root system.
• Greater Variety: A wider selection of grass types allows you to pick specific mixtures for Wisconsin's climate, such as shade-tolerant or high-traffic blends.
• Ideal Timing: Spring, late summer or early fall offers perfect conditions—warm soil for germination and cool air for growth—with reduced weed competition. 

Disadvantages of Seeding:

• Longer Establishment: Takes weeks or months for full, mature growth, keeping the area inaccessible or looking patchy initially.
• High Maintenance & Care: Requires frequent, consistent watering to prevent seedlings from dying.
• Weed Invasion: Bare soil is more susceptible to weed infiltration before the grass matures, according to GreenPal.
• Limited Timing: Seeding must be perfectly timed to avoid intense heat, drought, or killing frosts, which can damage new, tender seedlings. 

Advantages of Sodding:

• Instant Results & Usability: Provides an immediately usable, lush green lawn, allowing for walking and play within 2–3 weeks.
• Erosion Control: Superior for stabilizing soil on slopes and preventing mud/dust, which is crucial during Wisconsin's rainy spring.
• Weed-Free & Hardy: Generally free of weeds upon installation, offering a uniform, mature turf that thrives quickly.
• Flexible Installation Time: Unlike seed, which needs precise timing, sod can be laid anytime during the growing season. 

Disadvantages of Sodding:

• High Cost: Significantly more expensive than seeding, often costing thousands for larger, or even medium-sized, properties.
• High Water Requirement: Requires consistent, intense watering, especially for the first two weeks, to establish roots.
• Limited Variety: Fewer turf type options are available compared to seed, which may limit choices for shady or specific soil conditions.