Certainly, sod provides you with an instant lawn, and that is hard to beat. It does, however, require constant maintenance after installation. Sod must be kept watered, and you need to keep an eye on it to ensure that no fungal diseases are invading the lawn. Sod is also more expensive than grass seed, partly because, prior to installation, the ground needs to be raked and leveled, and all weeds removed. Sod must be installed on the day it is cut for it to be healthy.

Planting grass seed is easier than sodding, and besides, in central Alberta, grass grows well from seed. For Trees buys irrigated turf from Mountain Sod & Seed Farm, the largest and oldest sod farm in Alberta.

Seeded lawns must be watered frequently, but not deeply, to keep the seed moist during germination. Foot traffic must be strictly limited until the grass is at least two inches tall.

What kind of seed?
The cool season grasses grow best in the spring and fall months and can withstand our cold northern winters. Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the most popular because it requires moderate care to grow dense, dark, and medium textured grass. It spreads quickly from runners to form deep green sod with a fine texture. It grows best in areas with mild summers and ample water, and it produces a beautiful lawn in cold regions.

Fescue (Red Bladed or Fine Bladed) are often combined with bluegrasses. Both tolerate shade and dry conditions. Fescues have a low nitrogen requirement for vigorous growth, which makes it great for choking out weeds. It complements the Kentucky Bluegrass when combined. Fescue rarely suffers from any disease of insect problems and red fescue can renovate a poor or worn lawn by overseeding in the spring.