Should You Reseed or Re-sod Your Lawn?

If your lawn is in rough shape, you may be wondering what the best course of action is to restore your lawn to a green and healthy state. There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether you should reseed or resod your lawn. Both options have their own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered.

Evaluate the Condition on Your Lawn

The first step is evaluating your current lawn condition. Carefully examine the lawn for weeds, undesirable grass, disease and any damage. As a general rule of thumb, if your lawn is over 50% weeds it might be best to renovate your lawn and start over with new sod. If your lawn is less than 50% weeds, putting in the effort to restore your lawn by overseeding may be worthwhile.

You should also conduct a soil test to determine the availability of essential nutrients within your lawn. If your soil lacks nutrients, you may need to amend your soil with fertilizer, compost or other organic materials. Having a good base for your grass to grow is crucial for a dense, healthy turf. After evaluating your turf, consider the advantages and disadvantages associated with each.

Advantages of Resodding

• Instant results: While the lawn may not be ready for foot traffic, it immediately improves curb appeal and gives your home a finished look.

• Few weeds: High-quality sod should have very few weeds and be strong enough to outcompete any that try to emerge.

• Quick establishment: With consistent watering, your sod should be well-established within 2 to 3 weeks. This means your backyard will be ready for entertaining, pets and kids.

Disadvantages of Resodding

• Costly: New sod is more expensive than purchasing grass seed.

• Labor intensive: Installing new sod can be hard work and must be done correctly. If you’re less experienced, you may want to consider contacting a professional.

Advantages of Reseeding

• Less expensive: High-quality grass seed is less expensive than purchasing sod.

• Easier to complete: Overseeding your lawn is a simpler process than sodding and requires overall less labor-intensive work.

Disadvantages of Reseeding

• Weed competition: New grass seedlings have to compete with weeds for sunlight, nutrients and light.

• Longer establishment period: Sod can establish itself much faster. New seed can take up to 10 weeks before it is well-established and ready for foot traffic.

• Long-term results: While new sod can quickly transform your yard, reseeding can take a full growing season for new grass to appear dense, lush and green.

Whether you decide on resodding or reseeding your lawn, it is important that you keep up with regular maintenance including watering, fertilizing and proper mowing. Lawn care is a long-term and ongoing process that takes time, patience and commitment! If you ever have questions regarding the health or condition of your turf, please do not hesitate to contact Weed Man, we would be more than happy to help!

Brought to you by Weed Man Lawn Care: we care for your lawn.