Sod grass is a must for high-traffic outdoor areas and professional-looking landscapes around your business. There's no substitute for a high-quality sod grass product, which can protect you from the cost in time, money and frustration that comes with discovering your turf grass or lawn has been invaded by pests or turned out not to be appropriate for your climate.

You have several choices when it comes to purchasing and laying sod grass. It's essentially a choice between time, money and skill. Before you purchase or contract for sod grass, list which assets you're most willing to commit to its purchase, delivery and installation:

1. Money. If money is no object, having someone else install your sod grass is easy and fast.

2. Skill. If you have the know-how or employees that do, you can purchase your own sod grass, have it delivered and do the work of installing yourself.

3. Time. If all you have is time, just a little money will purchase grass seed and the time will care for it until you have a full-fledged sod grass lawn.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Let someone else install the sod grass for you

Whether you're in a hurry or just want to make sure the job is done professionally, having a professional landscaping company lay sod for you is the easiest and fastest way of getting the turf lawn you want. If cost is not a major consideration, start and stop your search here with regional companies that either grow their own sod or deal with nationally recognized sod growers.

I recommend: Be warned that if you're doing an internet search for sod grass, directory services may direct you toward informational links instead of providers. Instead, try John's Tree & Landscaping in California, who installs fresh-cut turf grass from well-known sod dealers, cut just the afternoon before so that it arrives at your door strong and healthy. Mid South Enterprises serves residents of Mississippi and Louisiana with a variety of landscaping services, including laying sod grass.

Find sod grass available near you

Typically, the service area for any given sod grass provider is strictly regional in nature, due in no small part to the heavy, bulky nature of their product. Instead of paying enormous costs to have sod trucked cross-country, try to locate a regional supplier near you.

I recommend: DeBuck's Sod Farm, located in Pine Island, New York , grows weed- and pest-free Kentucky Bluegrass and other varieties. Sport Choice, located in Arizona, sells sod grass throughout the Southwest.

Grow your own sod grass

If you have more time than money and are willing to do the work yourself, consider purchasing your own grass seed. Sod is really just a fancy name for grass that's already grown, so you can create your own with just a little time and care. Most businesses that sell turf grass seed will offer you information about how best to care for the seeds you purchase.

I recommend: Patten Seed Company pioneered the seeding process for Centipede grass, a product which formerly could only be procreated by sprigging or sodding. They offer a variety of proven grass seed options and advice in addition to their sod choices. SeedSuperStore will help you to pick the perfect turf seed for your location and climate.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you don't want to pay someone else to install your sod and are somewhere between purchasing ready-to-lay sod or seeding your own sod grass, information about grass or turf plugs is the next step. This intermediate option allows you to plant isolated islands of grass which quickly spread to cover your entire lawn area. Once they're planted and firmly rooted, all you have to do to encourage their spread is mow and water regularly.