Unlike traditional grass, sod is living grass in the form of a carpet. Most of the grass seeds you come across grow and form complicated root systems that primarily travel outwards, eventually forming blades of grass that then resurface. This is unacceptable as it takes more space, which is not the goal of most gardeners. In the case of sod, this can be avoided entirely.
How are Sod Carpets formed?
The term sod can be used to describe grass that is visible and the roots extending into the soil. Even though grass roots tend to run deeper, about two inches of the dirt is filled with a complex knot, which forms a mat that can be extracted later on. The extraction is made possible by scraping it from the ground and then relocating it to your yard.
You have to keep in mind that a newly seeded area can take quite some time for it to be well established. Once it is, it can easily be scraped in the form of sheets. Therefore, when you are paying for sod, you are actually paying for the area of land that was essentially used to grow sod along with maintenance and labor it required. Keeping this in mind, it is logical to assume it is expensive than grass grown using traditional grass seeds.
Who Needs Sod?
Considering its cost, it is no surprise it is primarily purchased for special occasions. When a perfect lawn is needed immediately, sod is your only option. A sod carpet takes no more than two weeks to properly establish itself in the soil after which it can be walked upon. However, in the case of a seeded yard, it could take a number of months.
That being said, sod grass is perfect for anyone looking for a quick solution for their yard problems. Moreover, since it is more resistant than traditionally grown grass it does not wither away or die that easily.
