A new lawn is mostly preparation. Get the ground right and both sod and seed will succeed. Get it wrong and neither will: a lumpy, compacted, poorly drained base gives a patchy lawn however good the grass is.
Sod or seed?
| Sod | Seed | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher | Much lower |
| Usable | In a few weeks | In a few months |
| Weeds | Few at first | More, until established |
| Labour | Heavy, but fast | Light, but needs care for longer |
| Grass choice | Whatever the farm grows | Any mix you like |
| Timing | Most of the year | Best in the right season |
Clients who want an instant result usually choose sod. Large areas, shady spots and tight budgets often suit seed.
Prep
- Clear weeds and debris, ideally a few weeks ahead so regrowth can be dealt with.
- Break up compacted ground by tilling or forking.
- Add 4–6" of screened topsoil where the existing soil is poor or the levels need building up.
- Rake level, firm the surface by treading or rolling, and rake again until it's even.
- Apply a starter fertilizer.
- Water the ground a day or two before laying if it's dry.
Get the levels right before laying, sloping gently away from buildings. It's far harder to fix dips and bumps once the grass is down.
Sod: quantities
Sod is sold by the roll, usually about 9 sq ft (0.83 m²) in Canada, and by the pallet. Order the area plus 5% for trimming curves and edges. Lay it within a day of delivery. In warm weather it heats up and yellows quickly on the pallet.
Lay in a brick pattern with staggered joints, butt edges tightly without stretching, and work from boards so you don't dent the prepared soil. Water thoroughly the same day, then keep it moist until it roots, usually two to three weeks.
Seed: quantities
Rates depend on species: about 2–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft for Kentucky bluegrass, 6–8 lb for tall fescue and 7–9 lb for perennial rye. Use about half that for overseeding. Split the seed in half and sow in two directions at right angles for even cover, then lightly rake it in and roll.
Keep the surface moist (not soaked) until the seed germinates and the grass is established. Birds love fresh seed, so a net or row cover can help on small areas.
Timing
Canadian lawns are cool-season grasses: Kentucky bluegrass, fine and tall fescues and perennial ryegrass. Seed does best from mid-August to mid-September, with a second window in spring once the soil warms. Sod can be laid from spring to fall, whenever the ground isn’t frozen.
Topsoil and feed quantities
Topsoil = area × depth, plus about 15% for settling. A cubic yard covers about 80 sq ft at 4". Feed follows the product's rate. The fertilizer calculator works out how much to buy.
A worked example
A 40 × 25 ft lawn (1,000 sq ft) in sod: 1,050 sq ft with 5% extra, about 117 rolls of 9 sq ft. Topsoil at 4": about 12.3 cu yd plus settling, so 14 yards. One bag of starter fertilizer.
Aftercare to include in the quote
Tell the client how to water, when to first mow (when the grass is about a third longer than mowing height, with the blades set high), and to keep traffic off for the first few weeks. Many callbacks on new lawns come from aftercare, not installation.
The sod calculator and grass seed calculator work out quantities, with topsoil and feed alongside.
Common questions
Can I lay sod or seed on clay?
Yes, but drainage is key. Break up the surface, work in organic matter or sharp sand, and add a good layer of topsoil. On very heavy, wet ground, a land drain may be needed first.
What about shady areas?
Choose a shade-tolerant seed mix, and expect a thinner lawn under trees. In deep shade, ground cover plants or mulch often do better than grass.
How long until the client can use it?
Sod can usually take light use after three to four weeks, once it has rooted. Seeded lawns need two to three months, and a full season before heavy use.
This guide is general information for estimating. It is not engineering, legal or tax advice. Check local codes and your inspector for your project.