Have you ever been out doing yardwork and asked yourself “Is it better to lay down sod or fix my current grass?”. With visually unappealing patches of dying grass in the yard, many homeowners wonder if it’s worth the cost of restoration, or if it’d be better to just start fresh.
We want to help you make the best decision for your home’s exterior. This article will take you through the pros and cons of sod vs. old grass, and what to choose based on the state of your current yard and preferences. Let’s get started!
Sod vs. Fixing Old Grass: Pros & Cons for Cambridge Homeowners
Sod Laying: Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Sod Immediately Enhances Your Lawn’s Aesthetics: Laying down already fresh, lush, healthy grass makes your yard look good as new instantly, and eliminates any damaged or dying patches of grass.
- Sod Limits Weed Growth: High-quality sod has little to no weeds, which means laying down new sod can immediately act as weed control.
- Sod Fixes and Prevents Erosion: Sod can instantly stabilize the soil below it, even if it’s newly laid sod. The root system of the sod helps absorption and grows stronger over time, preventing future erosion and stabilizing already eroded soil.
- Sod Installation Can Be Done in Most Conditions and Season: Sod can typically be installed in most seasons or weather conditions. While cooler weather with sufficient moisture is considered the optimal conditions, sod can still be laid in dry weather by hydrating the soil manually. The only time sod can’t be laid is when the ground is frozen.
- Sod Helps Yard Drainage: The sod’s root system can help water flow more easily through the soil, preventing build-up and high water levels during heavy rainfall.
- Cons
- Sod is more expensive than consumer-grade fertilization products.
- To ensure proper sod installation, you’ll need a professional.
- There’s a chance the sod won’t “take”, especially if issues with the soil underneath aren’t resolved.
- You’ll need to avoid walking on your lawn for up to 2 weeks to ensure the sod establishes roots.
- Sod preparation involves removing the old grass, treating, and leveling out the area, which is labour-intensive.
When to Fix Old Grass
While laying down new sod offers immediate aesthetic appeal, repairing your existing lawn might be the best option if:
- The issues with your lawn are caused by pests, weeds, or disease, which can be resolved without laying down new sod.
- Your grass only has minor wear (a few sparse patches or browning), using grass seed and fertilizers might be enough to solve the issue without needing new sod.
- If your current lawn already has well-established roots, it might be worth the time to manually bring the lawn to better shape, rather than disrupt the root system by placing new sod.
- Older species of grass could have better roots and more drought resistance than newly laid sod would.
When to Install New Sod
However, if the following applies to you, sod laying may be a more efficient answer to the problem:
- The majority of your lawn (50%+) is dead and/or has a serious weed problem.
- You need quick, instant results, and want your lawn to look brand new within the next 2 weeks.
- You’re planning to sell your home in the near future, and need the lawn to look its best to increase the property’s value.
- The soil underneath your lawn is low-quality. Sod laying involves soil preparation, so any issues in the soil will need to be solved before the sod is placed (compact soil, lack of drainage or nutrients.etc).
Is New Sod Better Than Fixing Current Grass?
If your property is facing serious lawn issues — like dying grass, weed problems, a lack of drainage, or poor soil quality — laying new sod would be a better choice than fixing your current grass. While lawns with only minor damage will suffice with over-the-counter grass treatments, these products cannot resolve any underlying issues with your lawn, especially issues with the soil.
Book Your Professional Sod Installment
If you live in Cambridge, Kitchener, North Dumfries, or Paris, Ontario — book your professional sod installment with C&T Landscaping! We offer a wide range of lawn care services designed to keep your outdoor spaces looking stunning and healthy.
Why Choose a Professional Sod Installment?
Sod laying is labour-intensive and requires knowledge of soil preparation, grading, and watering schedules to ensure proper root establishment and long-term lawn health. Without the proper experience, it’s very easy to mess up a sod installation. Our sod professionals will address underlying soil issues and choose the right type of sod for your climate, ensuring that the sod roots effectively every time.