To create a new lawn, you will always have two options to try. You have to either lay turf or spread grass seed to get your lawn. The turf is the ready-to-use grass carpet that is expensive. On the contrary, grass seeds are just the cheap seeds that you have to spread and let germinate. However, new lawn makers often get confused about these two options, and that’s why I am writing this content. Here, you will get all the essential information about Grass seed vs. turf.
The Facts of Comparison: Grass Seed or Turf
We have found out some of the most common facts about Grass seed or turf in terms of creating a lawn. If you are confused about these two options, you can check out the brief discussions on the facts. You must get a clear idea about which one is perfect for you.
1. Cost: Seed Vs. Turf
Cost matters, whatever the fact it is. Basically, there is a huge difference in the case of the cost when the fact is seed vs. turf. You must know that to get a lawn with seed, you have to wait for a long time, and turf gives you an instant lawn. Indeed, turf is like a ready lawn for your yard. So, it has to be expensive for sure.
Generally, turf and seed both have a lot of variations, and accounting for their varieties, the cost varies as well. In general, ground preparation for seed and turf is quite similar, so we are not counting the cost for ground preparation. Except for that ground preparation cost, turf is pretty much more expensive than seed. Eventually, it is ten to twenty times more expensive than seeds.
Seeds for lawn grass are very much cheaper, and you can buy them in sacks. For every square meter, seeds cost around 50 cents. But if you take the easiest route, that means turf; you have to pay around $8 to $12 for only a square meter. Costs for both seeds and turf can vary based on the market, variations, season, etc.
2. The appearance of the Lawn: Seed Vs. Turf
Most people are concerned about which option will be better for the best lawn appearance. We are not going to take the side of one between turf or grass seed in this case. It’s because the entire fact depends on how perfectly you are taking care of your lawn.
Both seed and turf can give you beautiful lawns only if you manage to maintain them nicely. But seed lawns are easier to take care of, especially for beginners. That’s why if it is your first time making a lawn, and if you are accepting an appealing appearance, you better try seeds.
3. Time, Taken for the Lawn Establishment
Some people are in a hurry to get a beautiful lawn; I must say they should use turf for the quickest result. Installing turf won’t need a few days. Indeed, you can manage to cover the standard size of the area just in a day if the weather is all right. And then you have to water the lawn every day for a few weeks so that the turf can be set properly.
If you use seed, you have to wait quite a long time to get a beautiful lawn. You have to wait for a few weeks to let the seeds germinate. And then it will take another couple of weeks to get a consistent lawn surface.
So, it is about a month of work you need to get a seeded lawn. And it can even take a year to have a full-grown lawn with seeds. So, the turf can defeat grass seed with quick installation system criteria when you are thinking about grass seed vs turf.
4. Best Time to Start
When you are willing to sow seed or do turf in your lawn’s soil, it is very important to supervise the temperature. That’s why you have to be careful of choosing the time to install the turf or sow the seed. In most cases, grass seed needs the soil temperature to be a minimum of eight degrees celsius to sprout.
In addition, problems may arise during dry and hot periods of summer because new grass tends to die soon from the shortage of water. To get the best result, you should sow the seed during autumn or spring. However, some modern grass varieties can germinate to at least five degrees celsius. In that case, make sure to learn the varieties and their details.
On another side, turf can be entrusted all year round unless the soil is not frozen. And be sure to check if the soil is waterlogged. Otherwise, it would be difficult to avoid the damages. So, you can go for a turf lawn anytime in the year unless it’s snowing.
As we see, if you consider the time to install or apply, turf is much more reliable than seed. That means you don’t have to be careful about the temperature if you choose turf. Still, for both options, we suggest choosing warmer seasons like summer or late spring.
5. Ease of Use
Ground preparation is the key priority when it comes to both sowing grass seeds and installing turf. To sow the grass seed, you should dig over a minimum of 30cm deep in the ground. Now that the topsoil has been brought in, you need to level well and rake to plow. And then you can sow the grass seed, spread it over and rake in.
Contrariwise, you can place turf like a carpet, cut evenly, and mat together. In fact, turf laying is primarily a messy job, but like sowing seed, you only need to fix it and sow some extra. After laying, both turf and seed need watering for a few weeks. Indeed, turf puts down shallow roots, whereas grass seed naturally proceeds to an excellent deep root without delay.
6. Consistency
Consistent look and the even tone in the grass are one of the best things for a well-laid lawn. Initially, turfing your lawn may lead to damage because you could run out of one particular type of turf while laying.
However, seeding your lawn does not lead to complexity, and years later, you can accurately sense which type of seed mix has been laid. So, it is much easier to fix any areas, and of course, it will mingle seamlessly.
So, if you are worried about grass seed vs turf regarding the consistent look of the lawn, you should try grass seed. Turf can disappoint you with clear differences in its consistency, but seeds get mixed and, of course, result in consistent aftermath.
7. Good for Slop
Turf and grass seed can both be used in grassing steep slopes. However, turf is more popular here because it can be easily rolled down the slope resembling the carpet. Also, the roots will protect and stagnate the soil. And using a sprinkler or hose, you can water turf on a slope, and the grass will not wash away.
On the contrary, rain washes away the sowing grass seed down to the hill. And it gets worse, especially when the weather is dry. Even if the grass is covered, the wind might blow away and lead to more problems. It is not manageable to maintain slope with sowing seeds.
Still, seeds can be a good option for the slop if you are living in a town and the height of the slop is not much. Also, if it’s not the rainy season and the seeds get enough time to sprout, you will have a nice grass lawn with seeds. Yet, we will always recommend turf for steeper slopes. After all, you cannot say when nature will go in the opposite direction of your path.
8. Disease Resistance
I am not sure if you agree with me that disease resistance should get our most priority when choosing seed or turf. How will you feel when you pay a lot of money and invest your time and labor for the beautiful lawn and some fungal disease just to ruin everything? I am sure it doesn’t sound good.
However, if you want to choose the safer option, you should try seed to make your lawn. People who produce turf for lawns only prioritize stability, consistency, and rapid growth. They only use the species of grass that produce a lot of thatch. So, they never look for the fugal issue anyway.
Also, when the turf is rolled and carried from one place to another, they often come close to different fungus and then get infected. On another side, if you use grass to make your lawn, you can observe the progress from the beginning so you can take the necessary steps to get rid of all the fungal infections. So, the seed can defeat turf with better diseases resistant criteria when you are thinking about grass seed vs turf.
Both seeds and turf have their negative and positive sides. You have to find out what problems bother you the most and choose an option that is free from those issues. I am sure that you have already got your point. Still, if you are confused, you can check the quick points of the advantages and disadvantages of using both of these options.
Check at A Glance: Advantages and Disadvantages of Grass Seed and Turf
This section is for those who don’t have time to check the discussion facts of grass seed vs turf. Check the short points of pros and cons of using both turf and grass seed to have a quick idea.
Advantages of Grass Seeds
- Tenth times cheaper than turf.
- Easy to spread and grow.
- Suitable to store for years.
- Create a consistent outlook.
- Easy to repair and easy maintenance.
- You can store extra seeds for the future.
Disadvantages of Grass Seeds
- Time-consuming.
- Require more aftercare.
- Frequent weed attack.
- Cannot start anytime in a year.
- Birds can eat the seeds, and you can get a vacant area.
Advantages of Turf
- You can get an instant lawn.
- You can lay turf any time of the year.
- Good for a sloppy lawn.
- Good to create cheque or stripe lawn.
Disadvantages of Turf
- Very much expensive.
- Have to install a plastic net before laying turf.
- Not ecologically best.
- Not good for a long-term lawn.
- Frequent fungal infection.
If you only take a quick look at the points, skipping the facts of comparison on Grass seed vs turf, you will miss something essential. So, have a glance over the factors, and it won’t take more than a few minutes. I am saying this because the lawn is not a mere fact, and you need to have a lot of knowledge about it if you are a newcomer in this section.
FAQ
Q: Is turf better than seed in quality?
A: Yes, if you consider quality, turf is better than grass seed. While germinating, many seeds actually fail and often cause unusual appearance. Also, turf is easy to change for a particular area, so you will be more likely to have a better quality lawn with turf.
Q: What is more cost-efficient, Grass seed vs turf?
A: Grass seeds are quite cost-efficient than turf. Indeed, turf is around ten to twenty times more expensive than grass seeds. Generally, grass seed cost approximately 50cent for a single square meter, whereas turf costs $8 to $10 per square meter.
Q: What is the difference between grass seed and turf?
A: Turf is like the instant lawn grass carpet where grass seeds are just the seed you have to sow and grow to have a lawn. You can lay turf like you lay a carpet on the floor. After taking care for a few weeks, it will be set. But seeds need to germinate and grow to give it a perfect look.
Q: What is best for long-term lawn, Grass seed or turf?
A: For long-term lawns, grass seeds are the best option. The turf needs extra care and maintenance for a while. And you have to change it often. But if you sow seed, you can use it until it dies or gets infected with any diseases.
Final Thought
So, what is your piece of cake, turf or seed? We will suggest you sow seeds if you want a long-term lawn with good disease resistance features and a consistent look. And go for turf if you want a quick lawn that is good for slop and easy to install. So, first, think of what criteria you want and then choose the best option for you. Don’t forget you leave your feedback. We wish you the best of luck with your new lawn. Thank you for your time.