What options are there to add new grass?

Seeding – that is, establishing a lawn from seed – is a common and relatively inexpensive way to grow grass. Seed can be used to establish a new lawn, renovate an existing one or fill in bare spots. However, some grasses, such as St. Augustine and Zoysia, are difficult to impossible to establish via seed, so other options are recommended. Here are some specific variations on seeding:

• Overseeding is the practice of adding seed to an existing lawn, often to fill in bare spots and thicken the grass cover. 
• Pre-germinated seeding is an advanced grass seeding technique in which grass seeds are moistened to trigger germination before they are planted. When done correctly, pregermination shortens the time needed to establish new seed, although great care must be taken to successfully manage temperature, moisture, and timing. 
• Hydroseeding and hydromulching involve spraying water-based mixtures to help establish grass or prevent erosion. Hydromulching uses water, mulch and a substance to help it stick. Hydroseeding adds seed and fertilizer to the mix. Hydroseeding can be used on yards, but is more often used on slopes. While more expensive than basic seeding, these methods are generally still cheaper than sod.

Sprigs are 3- to 6-inch sections of the horizontal stems (below-ground rhizomes or above-ground stolons) of creeping grasses. Sprigging is the act of planting the sprigs to start a lawn or to patch bare spots. In sprigging, cut the creeping stems into sections so that two or three nodes are present on each, and then plant them in shallow furrows so the nodes and roots are covered with soil, but the foliage remains uncovered.

Plugs are individual grass plants, grown in trays, or small 2- to 4-inch sections of turf containing roots, soil and grass. They are a less expensive way of establishing a lawn or patching a bare spot than full slabs of sod, but more expensive than seed. The recommended spacing between plugs varies based on the grass variety. Fast, spreading grasses warrant wider spacing; slow-growing types are spaced more closely.

Sod refers your grass, plus the interwoven mass of soil and other organic matter held together by the grass roots. A pricy but quick way to get new grass in your lawn is to purchase sod grown on a farm. Sod farms generally sell sod by the pallet, square foot, square yard or roll. A typical pallet covers 450 square feet, using rolls that measure 2 feet by 5 feet. Click here for more information about when and how to install new sod.