[Mstrlucky74]

Have to to do my backyard which is about 25'x8'. I'm rototilling......then should I go for sod or seed? I live in NY and its part shade. If I go with seed someone suggested fescue. What do you think? Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... I buy contractor's quick green, 'n spike it with white clover,....

Carry a qt. behind the seat of my truck to fix issues,...

Sod is Alot more work too,...

 

[SPS-1]

Don't you just hate it when your text disappears as soon as you hit "Submit Reply" ?

Anyways....


Sod is so much faster.
Seed won't look good this year, and won't be 100% next year. And with the new grass, you will also bring up a bunch of weeds.
You still need to water sod regularly though.

For a small yard like yours, it won't cost much at all. Buy from a real nursery, not the hardware store ---- it will be fresh cut. The place near me takes orders and harvests once a week -- ready for pickup or delivery the morning after it has been harvested.

 

[SPS-1]

Sod is Alot more work too,...

Maybe I don't understand what quick-green is, but how is sod more work? Sod or seed, I do same prep on the soil. On a 25 x 8' lawn, he would have all the sod down inside of an hour. In the 3 weeks it takes for seed to start coming up, the sod is almost finished setting its roots. (You will see blades come up before 3 weeks, buts that's normally just the rye grass in the mix.)

 

[Bondo]

but how is sod more work?

Ayuh,.... I can carry a bag of seed in one hand, 'n a bale of straw in the other, spread the seed, 'n straw, 'n I'm done,.....

For sod, I'll have to borrow a wagon, go get the pallet of sod haul it to the location, 'n carry a pallet of sod in to place it,....

Either way, I've got a green spot in no time,...

 

[ZTMAN]

I prefer sod not only because it is instant results, but we have dogs, and you know what muddy paws are like. Makes a mess in the house.

 

[ddawg16]

I'll take sod any day.

Yea, seed might be quicker to put down...but takes a lot more work to get going. If you're only putting it down, you don't see all the work the home owner does to keep it going.

Sod? Perfect lawn same day....just needs regular water.

 

[Nik333]

Have to to do my backyard which is about 25'x8'. I'm rototilling......then should I go for sod or seed? I live in NY and its part shade. If I go with seed someone suggested fescue. What do you think? Thanks.

It really depends on you & how much you like growing things. Then it depends on your free time. If you are rototilling, raking & rolling the soil, you are already invested in this lawn.

Personally, I like watching grass sprout, then having a lush lawn that I helped create. To me sod is cheating. But, again, it depends on your time. Make sure to test your soil and fertilize appropriately. It should be ahead of sowing seed so the germinating seed isn't burned by fertilizer.

Fescue is commonly used, but there are different types. Check your USDA climate zone & what is appropriate for your area. I don't know if the other upstate NYers are the same climate zone as you. Have fun!

 

[jeffmattero76]

There are different types of fescue so be careful choosing. Some fescues are shade tolerant and fine bladed. Others grow in clumps and are thick bladed. The fine fescues dont do well with alot of foot traffic. I would suggest doing a soil sample first, then adding the nutrients/minerals required then planting the seed if you are going the seed route. I typically use a sun & shade mix that i get from my local landscaper supply house. My thinking with the mix is that the grasses that require lots of sum will do well in the sunny areas of my lawn, and the grasses that can tolerate more shade will do well in the shadier areas. Kind of like "natural selection". Also, the landscape supply house is where i get my soil sample done. Those guys are a wealth of knowledge.

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