Hand seeding is the method many homeowners have used for years to plant their lawns. This particular method of grass seeding requires a lot of time and patience as you spread the seed over the soil by hand, and then carefully cover the seed with straw to protect it from the elements. While hand seeding may initially seem more cost-efficient than other methods because you can do it on your own, without the help of a professional, hand seeded lawns are prone to damage. While most sod applications result in lawns with healthy, uniform growth, there is a risk of the sod not "taking" to your soil, or leaving gaps between the rows if it is not installed properly.

Rain can wash away sections of the lawn, or the wind can blow some seeds and straw away, resulting in sparse patches. The sun can burn up exposed sections, while those areas protected in light shade flourish. Even a flock of birds can pose a threat to your new lawn if they decide to stop and feast on your recently spread grass seed. The process of reseeding a lawn over and over in order to obtain even, healthy results can actually cost you much more than it would to hire a professional lawn care service.When applied correctly by a professional landscaper, sod can be a worthwhile investment, boosting your overall property value and aesthetics fast.

If you have ever seen someone rolling out what appear to be sheets of grass or turf, you have likely witnessed sod installation. Sod consists of mature grass in a minimal amount of dirt, transplanted onto the desired area. Sod can protect against soil erosion and weed growth, and is a great choice for transforming bare soil into a luxurious lawn. Sod is typically much quicker than other grass seeding methods, with results appearing in as little as a day in some cases. Unlike hand seeded lawns, which need to remain covered and undisturbed, sod is ready for full usage within just a couple weeks. The rapid results may account for the cost of sod, which can be over three times as expensive as other means of yard seeding.

Hydroseeding is a method of spray grass seed first developed over years ago and designed to seed large areas in a short amount of time, while saving money. During the hydroseeding process, grass seed, water, fertilizer, and cellulose fiber mulch are mixed together in a large tank to create a slurry, which is then sprayed uniformly onto your soil. The mixture helps to anchor seed to the soil, lessening the risk of erosion or problems of the seed being blown or carried away. Like sod, hydroseeding can produce very fast results, with some cases reporting the appearance of grass within three to five days.

Most hydroseeded lawns are ready for full maintenance, including mowing, within three to four weeks. Hydroseeding usually results in a much deeper root establishment than other grass seeding methods, leading to healthier, longer lasting lawn quality. Hydroseeding also offers more versatility, allowing you to specify a variety of grass types within the seed mixture for a custom tailored lawn. Hydroseeding does require a good deal of maintenance both before and after seed application in order to ensure healthy lawn growth. This method of yard seeding is typically more expensive than hand seeding applications, but more cost effective than sod.

Soil quality and preparation are important steps in planting a new lawn. Begin by removing the existing vegetation. If planting a new lawn in a large area where there are lots of weeds, spray them with a non selective herbicide like Round Up to save hours of physical labor. If over seeding, you're obviously will not want to kill your base grass with a herbicide application but what you can do is mow down your warm season grass as low as you can. This along with verti cutting and power raking, will reduce thatch and improve good seed contact to the soil.