[Fishnugget]

I finally finished leveling my ground to the best of my abilities. I am ready for grass and plan to use bermuda Tifway 419 with the perennial rye.

I am having a tough time deciding between seeding my back yard or using sod. Here are the advantages/disadvantages I see to both. I am new at this so please don't be afraid to give me your input or call me out where I am wrong.

Sod

Advantages
-Instant gratification. No wait times for growth, instant green
-Wont need to seed Bermuda in the Spring
-Will make my ground more level? Let me know what you think about this one

Disadvantages
-More Expensive than seed $500 vs $50-100
-Will raise my ground slightly higher than seed, about 1/2" (prefer low ground)
-Installation more labor intensive than throwing seed

Seed

Advantages
-Cheaper
-Easy to install, just spread the seed
-Ground will be nice and low

Disadvantages
-No instant gratification
-Wait time for growth
-Will have to fill in spots that have no growth overtime
-Will have to add Bermuda Seed in the Spring

I don't know, typing it out now, I feel like just taking the $500 hit and adding sod. I don't think it will be that difficult to install.

I'm curious what everyone thinks, my Dad is helping and he is telling me to just throw the seed to save money. He says it grows fast.

You guys are the experts, I'm just an amateur. Let me know!

 

[Fishnugget]

Oh yeah, this is for 900 sq. feet of backyard. I live in Cali guys, real estate is pricey over here.

 

[Mightyquinn]

What is your plan for the lawn after it has matured? Going with sod will get you a higher quality turf over seed, generally speaking. It may be a little more work up front but once you are done all you have to worry about is watering it. With only 900 sq/ft you could be done in just a few hours.

If it was me, I would sod as it's not too much more money and you are almost guaranteed on the outcome.

 

[Redtenchu]

I agree with MQ, the Sod will also take less water and have less weeds during the establishment period. I'm guessing water will add some big $$ to your budget in the California market.

 

[J_nick]

If it's only 900 sqft then I would sod for sure. $500 seems high for 2 pallets of 419

 

[Mightyquinn]

If it's only 900 sqft then I would sod for sure. $500 seems high for 2 pallets of 419

You have to figure in the tax in CA :lol:

 

[Fishnugget]

What is your plan for the lawn after it has matured? Going with sod will get you a higher quality turf over seed, generally speaking. It may be a little more work up front but once you are done all you have to worry about is watering it. With only 900 sq/ft you could be done in just a few hours.

If it was me, I would sod as it's not too much more money and you are almost guaranteed on the outcome.

Thanks for your input Mightquinn.

My plan after lawn has matured is to keep it low like the golf courses out here in Palm Springs.

I didn't know sod would be higher quality turf than seed. I also calculate I can be done in 2-4 hrs because I am a newbie.

I agree with MQ, the Sod will also take less water and have less weeds during the establishment period. I'm guessing water will add some big $$ to your budget in the California market.

Thanks Red...
I don't know how much more my water bill will be because I have desert landscape in the front and dirt in the back.

Does perennial rye seed have weeds? Reason I ask is I bought a new home with a backyard full of dirt. I added irrigation and have been watering it and to my surprise have not grown any weeds for about a month now.

I figure it will be a lot more for water but I did install the Rachio Controller and its hooked up to a local weather station. So...I hope it saves me $$$ on water.

If it's only 900 sqft then I would sod for sure. $500 seems high for 2 pallets of 419

Im buying it at 55cents/sq ft. and that price is actually without tax. Add another 50 bucks with tax.

If it's only 900 sqft then I would sod for sure. $500 seems high for 2 pallets of 419

You have to figure in the tax in CA :lol:

Yes, everything in Cali is tax, tax, tax.

 

[Fishnugget]

Looks like I am going with sod....

Before I do that i will add concrete curbing for the planters. I think this will make it easier for me to install the sod.

 

[wardconnor]

My suggestion would be to get a gas powered reel mower first, THEN weigh out the options on whether to seed or lay down.

I am just kidding. I sorry to say that I can not offer an advise on bermuda seed vs sod. I mow a cool season lawn.

 

[Fishnugget]

My suggestion would be to get a gas powered reel mower first, THEN weigh out the options on whether to seed or lay down.

I am just kidding. I sorry to say that I can not offer an advise on bermuda seed vs sod. I mow a cool season lawn.

Well... I will admit I have my sights set on a John Deer reel mower but I want to get that sod down first.

 

[MasterMech]

I think the decision is real easy given you cannot establish hybrid Bermuda varieties like 419 from seed. What variety of seed were you planning to try?

 

[Fishnugget]

I think the decision is real easy given you cannot establish hybrid Bermuda varieties like 419 from seed. What variety of seed were you planning to try?

I did not know that....goes to show how much I know. :thumbup:

It makes no difference because I just laid down Tift 94 or TifSport today and my back, legs are hurting. It took me all day and I got about 80-90% of it completed. I will finish tomorrow morning.

From reading about Tift 94 it seemed like a better product than Tift 419.

 

[Fishnugget]

I got much more completed than the pic shows.

What do you guys think for a newbie? Not too bad?

 

[Mightyquinn]

Looks great Fishnugget!!! Looks like you also did a great job on your prep work as it already looks pretty smooth.

 

[Ware]

Looks great!

 

[pennstater2005]

Very nice!

 

[MasterMech]

Great job!

 

[Fishnugget]

Looks great Fishnugget!!! Looks like you also did a great job on your prep work as it already looks pretty smooth.

Thanks Mightquinn, it means a lot. I did put in a a lot of time in the prep work. However, I did find some low areas while setting it down but I am very happy with it. However, spending the time in the prep work made all the difference. It looks more professional.

To level the dirt I sectioned off an area using two galvanized conduit pipes and added dirt. Then I smoothed that out level with a 2x4. Sort of how they do it with the paver sand. It was tedious and tiresome but well worth the effort.

 

[Fishnugget]

Looks great!

Thanks Ware!

 

[Fishnugget]

Very nice!

Thanks! :thumbup: