| FACTORS
TO CONSIDER |
SEED |
HYDROSEED |
TURFGRASS
SOD |
| Time
of year to install |
Not
recommended for winter or summer; possible in spring; best in fall for
most areas |
Year-round
installation, even on frozen ground if sod is available |
| Soil
preparation |
Same
for all types of lawn installation: Deeply till soil, add necessary
amendments and fertilizers, grad and level for smooth surface, remove all
debris, lightly pack and moisten. |
| Water
Requirements |
Highest
water needs - bare soil will dry quickly. |
Moderate
to high water needs. Mulch will preserve some moisture. |
Lowest
water needs - water at installation to a depth of 6-inches, then light
waterings for next 2-3 weeks. Grass will shade soil and prevent
drying. |
| Water
lightly for 3 to 4 weeks, keeping surface moist, begin to apply 1-inch of
water per week after first mowing. |
| Seed
Quality |
Extremely
variable because of germination rates, weed and foreign matter content;
unknown or unspecified varieties. Generally lower quality seed than
used in cultivated sod production. |
Typically
highest available sod quality, certified, elite seed. May be
certified to prove specific variety. Mixture and blends used to suit
area needs. |
| Wee
Control |
Multiple
applications of chemicals usually required to combat competitive weed
invasions until turf is well established. |
Minimal,
if any chemical control required. |
| Uniformity
of Coverage |
Seeding
varieties, rates, germination times, wash-outs (erosion), traffic, feeding
birds and rodents can create spottiness. |
99
to 100% uniformity with use of mature turfgrass sod. |
| |
Mulch
layer may reduce some problems. |
| Runoff/Erosion |
Heavy
rains or sloping areas will cause seed, chemicals and silt to wash onto
sidewalks and into sewer systems. |
Capable
of accepting heavy rains without erosion or damage. |
| Little,
if any protection for several months |
Mulch
should reduce erosion/runoff. |
| Visual
Impact |
Rough
texture and open soil |
colored
mulches act to camouflage soil appearances. |
Immediate
beauty of a "complete'' and mature landscape. |
| Useability |
Low
traffic use 2 to 4 months after seeding with faster germinating
seed. Normal to high use only after first year. |
Low
traffic immediately. Normal, high traffic levels within 2 to 3
weeks. |
| Installation
Cost |
Lowest
cost. |
Low
to mid-level cost. |
Highest
cost. |
| Cost
versus Value |
Higher
management and maintenance costs, compounded by increased water and
chemical applications, as well as delay of use, poor uniformity and
visually unappealing are trade-offs for lower installation cost. |
Installation
costs offset by added values of timing, useability uniformity and visual
appeal. Reduced maintenance, chemical and water costs. |
