TradesHow this works
Enter the lawn area, whether it is bare new ground or an existing lawn you want to thicken, and whether you care most about cost or speed. The tool works out the seed pounds or sod pallets and recommends the approach. For a new lawn it weighs seed against sod; for thickening an existing lawn it points you to overseeding, since sod needs bare soil.
Whichever you choose, the quantity is the easy part. Soil preparation, consistent watering, and planting in the right window decide whether the lawn takes. Seed saves money if you can wait; sod buys time and holds slopes at a higher price.
Common questions
How much grass seed do I need?
For a new lawn, plan on about 5 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet, so a 5,000 square foot yard needs roughly 25 pounds. Overseeding an existing lawn uses less, about 3 pounds per 1,000. The exact rate depends on the grass species, so check the bag.
How much sod is on a pallet?
A pallet of sod covers about 450 square feet, though it ranges from 400 to 500 depending on the supplier and grass type. So a 5,000 square foot lawn takes about 12 pallets. Order a little extra for cuts around beds and curves.
Should I use seed or sod?
Seed is a third to a quarter the cost and offers the widest grass selection, but it is slow, taking a growing season to fill in, and needs the right planting window. Sod gives an instant, finished lawn rooted in two to three weeks, resists erosion on slopes, and has fewer early weeds, at several times the price.
Is seed or sod cheaper?
Seed, by a wide margin. Seed runs about 8 to 18 cents per square foot in materials, while sod is roughly 30 to 80 cents, and sod installation is far more labor. If budget is the priority and you can wait, seed wins. If you need results now or have slopes, sod earns its cost.
Can I lay sod to thicken an existing lawn?
No. Sod goes on bare, prepared soil, so it is for a new lawn or a full replacement. To thicken a thin existing lawn you overseed, spreading seed over the current turf. That is why this tool only offers seed when you pick the thicken-existing option.
Sources: Seeding rate ~5 lb/1,000 sq ft new, ~3 lb overseed; sod pallet ~450 sq ft (Inch Calculator, Angi) · Seed ~$0.08-0.18/sq ft, slow (7-21 days + a season); sod instant (2-3 weeks) at ~3-4x cost, better on slopes (HomeGuide). Engine version 1.0.0. Risk tier 1.