Re-Seed or Sod

Plan - Prep - Plant Your Way To Beautiful Gardens And Landscapes

Re-Seed or Sod

by Jerry
(York, PA)

I live in Southern Regions of (York)Pennsylvania. my back yard 125 ft. x 100 ft. AM Shade/PM Sun. It's in need of re-seeding or Sod. I have four large Dogs that play rough on theses grounds. The Soil is of a Clay type nature. I have Tilled a area recently of 15ft. x 35ft. Removed all the large rocks and screened the remaining soil with a total graded depth of 4-6 inches.(screen openings 1/4 inch sq.) There is of course some small pebble grade stone still within the soil, nothing major. Completely fenced off the area from my dogs. I purchased a Sun & shade mix grass seed 2 weeks ago and applied with Scotts Turf Builder. 4 days later re-applied with Scotts Turf Builder. Repeated this 2 more times watering faithfully twice a day Some area of grass are growing BUT several PA residents suffer the same dilemma, No Growth or Slow Growth with poor results.

What would be my best method, Sod? or Re-Seeding

What Method?

How about with the 4 Large Dogs?

What Type Of Grass works Best For Four Large Dogs?

Any Suggestions since I'm originally from Baltimore where you can throw a hand of grass seed on any soil there and have a beautiful lawn without even trying.

This PA Soil is really hard to work with.

Thanks,
Jerry

Comments for
Re-Seed or Sod

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Aug 23, 2011

Re-Seed Or Sod
by: Kimberly

Hi Jerry, Kimberly here from landscape solutions for you. Thank you for asking the question on if you should re-seed or sod. This is a very good question and one many of my clients have asked.

Sounds like you have gone through the proper prepping of your lawn. It was also good that you put a fenced area for your dogs. Dogs can be very hard on lawns.

There are a couple of recommendations I have for you to think about. I also live in a clay base soil in South Carolina.

Seed is of course less expensive than investing in sod. I would recommend if you re-seed again to consider tall Fescue. The tall Fescue will work well in clay soil, your climate, and also sun and shade during the day. Tall Fescue is a fast grower but will be very lush during your growing season. You will want to wait until September when the temperatures are cooler. Make sure all weeds are dead. Apply the seed and lay straw on top of the grass seed. Get on a good schedule.

Sod is a long term investment. We have tall Fescue sod with irrigation in our front yard. We are very happy with the tall Fescue. We aerate the lawn in the fall each year, after it was established.

We follow the program suggested by the major fertilizing companies to how many times a year to fertilize your lawn once established. In our climate zone we fertilize four times a year.

As far as what is best for your situation, it is really up to your budget and time. Either one will work for you if you follow the proper steps, even in clay base soil. Here is a link to the sod versus seed page. This may give you some thoughts on making your decision.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Thanks again Jerry for asking the question. Best of luck to you and let us know what you decide. Whatever your decision, your lawn is an investment and it really is up to what will work best for you and your budget. Have a great day.

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Sod.html
Kimberly

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