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It costs $1,500 on average to hydroseed a 1/2-acre lawn professionally. DIY hydroseeding costs about $300 to $500 for the machine rental, plus the cost of your seed, mulch, and fertilizer. Often, it makes sense to hire a local lawn seeding service to hydroseed for you to ensure the best coverage and growth.

Choosing between sod and seed depends on your budget, timeline, and maintenance preferences.

Sod:

• Pros: Provides an instant, lush lawn and immediate curb appeal. It's more resistant to weeds and erosion, can be installed any time during the growing season, and offers a consistent appearance.

• Cons: Has a higher upfront cost, typically $0.90 to $1.80 more per square foot than seed. It offers fewer grass varieties and must be installed immediately upon delivery.

Seed:

• Pros: Less expensive upfront, making it a budget-friendly option. It offers a wider variety of grass types and is easier for a DIY installation.

• Cons: Takes much longer to establish, potentially up to two years for a full lawn. It requires more maintenance, including regular weed control, and is more difficult to cultivate.

Ultimately, if you want a beautiful lawn quickly and have a larger budget, sod is an excellent choice. If you are patient, want to save money, and prefer a wider selection of grass types, seeding may be the better option.

If thrown on the ground and left, some Bermuda seeds will sprout on the surface, but you will have a diminished germination rate. It’s best to cultivate the area before spreading the seeds for optimal results. Rake the area first and then evenly distribute the Bermuda seeds. Cover the space with about ¼ inch of soil before watering the area.

Soaking grass seeds in water before seeding is called pre-germinating. It’s not necessary but can be very helpful in some cases. Some grasses like are very slow to germinate, and basic seeding on the ground is unlikely to be effective—that’s especially true of cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, rye grasses, and Bermuda grass. Soaking these seeds in a bag or bin of water for one to four days beforehand can give the grass the start it needs to survive.