Last year we were faced with a blank slate for a backyard. No grass, no flowers, no plants. The possibilities were definitely exciting, but also overwhelming! Our first decision was a big one – plant grass seed or lay sod? Everyone’s situation is unique, and our decision won’t be the best one for everyone, but here are some factors that can help to make the seed vs. sod decision a more simple one.

First – what’s your timeline? If you’re planning on hosting a backyard BBQ in two weeks then sod is probably the way to go. It takes about 3 weeks for most grass seed to start coming in, and even then it’ll probably take a couple over-seeding sessions before you have a nice thick lawn. Realistically, it’s going to take most of the summer to get a lush lawn from seed. But once it’s in it’s absolutely beautiful! Sod, on the other hand, is an instant gratification project. After a couple hours of hard work you have an instantly green lawn!

Second – what’s your budget? Sod is a more expensive option than seed. We recommend making quite a few phone calls to sod farms before you place an order, though, as prices can vary wildly. We were quoted anywhere from $1.50 to $3.49 a roll! Be sure to ask about delivery fees as well. We have a small yard and friends with a big truck, so we were able to pick up the sod ourselves. If that’s not an option for you, definitely be sure to ask what they charge to drop it off. And once you have the sod be ready to move! You want to get it on the ground as quickly as possible, as the sod will start to rot if left on the pallet. You’ll definitely keep the tab down by planting your own seed! Just be sure to grab an extra bag or two to fill in thin areas as the grass grows.

Third – how much traffic will your yard see? When planting seed you want to keep the traffic as low as possible in your yard. If you have a dog (or dogs) that will be running around the yard several times a day you’ll want to keep that in mind, as it could disturb the seed you’re working so hard to grow. Sod will take the abuse more easily.

We were a little impatient for our yard to take shape and with a very active dog running all over we decided sod was the best route for us. Our small yard meant the sod was very reasonable and we decided to install it ourselves. It was a great decision for us, but yours maybe different! Sod is certainly a tempting route to go because of the instant results, but the savings of planting your own seed might be enough to sway your decision.

Whether you go with sod or seed it’ll take a lot of water to get the green lawn you’re looking for. Just set the sprinklers and let ’em go! Sod and seed will both eventually lead to a beautiful green lawn that your family will enjoy all summer long. Here’s to a summer of barbecues and games of frisbee on an impeccably green lawn!

Nick and Cindy Germann are young DIY-ers living in St. Paul, Minnesota with their two English Springer Spaniels and one feisty rabbit. They blog at The Flipping Couple, where they talk a lot about messy projects and old houses while posting pictures of their four-legged pets. They’re turning their 86-year-old Craftsman into a beautiful home one overdue project and smashed finger at a time, all while dreaming of finished walls and clean floors.