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Seed — VS — Sod

Sod — VS — Artificial Turf

General Information

Turfgrass—Functional, Recreational, and Aesthetic

Being a true environmentalist begins right under our feet. The U.S. Congress has acknowledged these positive benefits to our environment.
"Turfgrass sod in urban areas and communities can aid in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the heat island effect, reducing energy consumption and contributing to efforts to reduce global warming trends."

Our Enviroment

The satisfaction of creating beauty within the landscape can be rewarding for you and the environment. With turfgrass sod, the rewards are practically immediate.

• A well maintained lawn and landscape can enhance the "curb appeal" adding as much as 15 percent to the value of a home.

Pollution Control

Today's improved turfgrass varieties are very effective in reducing pollution.

• Turfgrass traps and removes dust and dirt from the air.
• 2,500 square feet of lawn absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and release enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe.

Nature’s Air Conditioner

Another benefit that everyone enjoys, usually without notice, is turfgrass' tremendous cooling effect.

• On a hot summer day, lawns will be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil.
• The front lawns of eight houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. That's amazing when the average home has an air conditioner with just a three or four ton capacity.
• The cooling effect of irrigated turf reduces the amount of fuel that must be burned to provide the electricity which powers the air conditioners.
• Watered when the grass plant needs it, turfgrass will very efficiently and effectively use almost every drop.

A Natural Filter

Runoff water in urban areas carries many pollutants.

• Turfgrass acts as a natural filter, reducing pollution by purifying the water passing through its root zone.

Soil Erosion

The clean gentle strength of turfgrass is the most cost-effective method for controlling wind and water erosion.

• A healthy sodded lawn absorbs rainfall six times more effectively than a wheat field and four times better than a hay field.
• A sodded lawn will absorb greater amounts of rain than a seeded lawn; even after three years of growth.
• The cover and stabilization provided by sod reduces or prevents the effects of water and wind erosion of topsoil.

Fun & Games

The soft resilient surface of turfgrass is the safest and least expensive place to play.

• For backyard ball games or the Super Bowl, athletes of all sizes prefer the green cushion of turfgrass.
• Turfgrass is the only place for putting, picnics or just plain relaxing.

Our Mental Health

Turfgrass quietly adds to the beauty of our lives and even our mental and physical health.

• Doctors have shown that people recover faster in a hospital when given a landscape view, rather than seeing only the walls of adjoining buildings.

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Sod — VS — Seed

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.	Not recommended for Winter or Summer, possible in Spring, best in Fall for most areas.	Year-round installation, even on frozen ground.
Soil Preperation	Same for all types of lawn installation: Deeply till soil, add necessary amendments and fertilizers, grade and level for smooth surface, remove all debris, edge around beds and sidewalks.	Same as seed...	Same as seed...
Water Requirements	Highest water needs- Bare soil will dry quickly. Water lightly for 3-4 weeks, keeping surface moist, begin to apply 1-inch of water per week after mowing.	Moderate to high water needs. Mulch will preserve some moisture.	Lowest water needs- Water at installation to a depth of 1-inch under sod, then light waterings for next 2-3 weeks depending on time of year.
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.	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. Mixtures and blends used to suit area needs.
Weed Control	Multiple applications of chemicals usually required to combat competitive weed invasions until turf is well established. Straw layer may reduce some problems.	Multiple applications of chemicals usually required to combat competitive weed invasions until turf is well established. Mulch layer may reduce some problems.	No weed control should be required at time of installation. Proactive weed control practices should be executed as needed after sod is established.
Uniformity of Coverage	Seeding varieties, rates, germination times, wash-outs (erosion), traffic, feeding birds and rodents can create spottiness. Straw layer may reduce some problems.	Seeding varieties, rates, germination times, wash-outs (erosion), traffic, feeding birds and rodents can create spottiness. Mulch layer may reduce some problems.	Immediate 99 to 100% uniformity with use of mature turfgrass sod.
Runoff / Erosion	Heavy rains or sloping areas will cause seed, chemicals and silt to wash onto sidewalks and into sewer systems. Little if any protection. Straw should reduce erosion/runoff for several months.	Heavy rains or sloping areas will cause seed, chemicals and silt to wash onto sidewalks and into sewer systems. Little if any protection. Mulch may reduce erosion/runoff for several months.	Capable of handling heavy rains without erosion or damage. Sod on steep inclines should be stapled at installation for best resistance to heavy precipitation.
Visual Impact	Rough texture and open soil.	Colored mulches act to camouflage soil appearance.	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 use 2 to 4 months after seeding with faster germinating seed. Normal to high use only after first year.	Low traffic immediately. Increasing traffic levels within 2 to 3 weeks; normal to high use by 6 to 8 weeks.
Installation Costs	Lowest cost.	Low to Mid-level cost.	Highest cost.
Cost vs. 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.	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. Longer term weed control and water costs should be lessened when sod is optimally managed.

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Sod — VS — Artificial Turf

A discussion of sod versus artificial turf is often encountered when planning or renovating sports playing surfaces, but the discussion is applicable to any recreational use where sod and artificial turf are being considered. The decision whether to use sod or artificial turf is an important one. There are several environmental, health, and safety benefits to using natural grass or sod. Artificial turf, on the other hand, has many drawbacks that are often not advertised by the contractors or entities that promote its use.

To perform optimally, the construction and maintenance of natural turf and artificial turf fields need to be performed properly (see the factors to consider related to cost of installation below). Artificial turf fields can withstand heavy use year round, but they still require extensive maintenance. Although research is being conducted to investigate the sod versus artificial turf debate, there is still a lack of information on the long-term impact(s) of artificial turf surfaces. Artificial turf has evolved from a basic indoor-outdoor carpet-type material to a more sophisticated simulation of natural turf. However, the disadvantages related to artificial turf and its environmental and safety issues are still being evaluated.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER	Sod	Artificial Turf
Cost to Install	Cost to construct both types of playing surfaces depend upon: existing soil conditions and associated preparation, especially with respect to drainage issues end use of playing surface (type of sport/activity) and frequency of use local, annual weather conditions	Same as sod...
Durability and Maintenance	properly maintained fields require applications of water, fertilizer, herbicide and possibly pesticide mowing and aerating turf varieties have been developed for greater durability under heavy traffic conditions (turf growth naturally repairs traffic damage!) fields can be overseeded as needed to encourage more ground coverage when traffic damage has occurred	playing surface typically replaced every 8 to 10 years requires painting, “grooming”, sweeping, rolling, and watering (to cool surface) damaged areas usually require repair by outside contractor surface requires disinfecting against mold, bacterial growth, and bodily fluids
Environmental	reduces water runoff and increases groundwater retention (as compared to impervious surfaces such as roadways/ roofs etc, that lead to water runoff) temperature modification (absorbs radiation and reduces temperature extremes) builds topsoil grass clippings increase microbial activity generates oxygen from photosynthesis absorbs pollutants from the air	can increase water runoff if drainage system is not correctly installed or managed
Safety & Health	historically associated with a more “giving” playing surface (divots in natural grass are an indicator that the field is yielding to the player’s impact, lessening the chance of injury) good microbes are present in grass and soil that sanitize the playing surface by decomposing human body fluids, etc. good microbes also compete with harmful microbes (infection-causing microbes) playing surface temperatures are moderated by natural grass	field hardness (either too hard or too soft) can result in immediate or chronic injury lower incidence of beneficial bacteria, which allows build-up of harmful bacteria (and associated infections) and necessitates the use of cleansers to sanitize the field EXTREME temperatures occur on the artificial turf surfaces, leading to heat-related illness ground tire rubber that is often used as infill (cushion) is potentially toxic playing surface can be abrasive and cause injuries that are difficult to heal (especially associated with harmful bacteria that can be present)

For more information on this subjuct please see the folowing .pdf link. “Natural Grass and Artificial Turf: Separating Myths and Facts” The Turfgrass Resource Center

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