Seed

• One of the most common and least expensive methods of establishing a lawn is by seeding. Bags of grass seed can be purchased at garden centers, in department stores or over the Internet. The seed is then scattered over bare patches in the yard, over thinning grass or on the surface newly prepared soil. Seeds are raked gently into the topsoil and kept wet for several days, until new growth begins to appear. Generic seed is less expensive than name-brand blends, but look for mixtures with at least an 85 percent germination rate or you may end up having to seed the same area several times, which costs more money in the long run. According to lawn and garden professional Charles Parks, the average cost of grass seed cost 10 cents or less per square foot in 2009. However, you will also need to purchase fertilizer and mulch, and you need to factor in the cost of the water, as new grass seed has a fairly high moisture requirement for successful germination.
  
  

Sod

• Another method for establishing a lawn is known as sodding. Sod is a transferable piece of established lawn that has been grown and cut for the specific purpose of transplantation. Sections of sod grass are essentially removed from an area, transported to a new location and positioned side by side on a bed of prepared soil, establishing a perfect lawn instantaneously. Parks said the 2009 cost of sod is between $0.14 to $0.40 per square foot, more than double than the cost of seed. However, sodding is virtually foolproof and requires a less significant investment in terms of both time and energy. If you happen to know anyone who is hoping to clear a bit of turf, you can reduce the cost of sodding by renting a sod cutter and volunteering your services, effectively transferring that lawn to your yard.
  
  

Hydroseeding

• Hydroseeding is a lawn installation technique that offers homeowners a bit of compromise. The process blends grass seed, fertilizer, water and mulch in a large tank. The resulting mixture is sprayed over the desired area with a hose. The mulch helps the surrounding soil retain moisture while preventing erosion and protecting the new seeds from overexposure to the elements. As the grass begins to grow, the mulch breaks down, enriching the soil in the process. Hydroseeding generally costs less than sodding but more than seeding. That being said, costs vary widely, as the procedure is typically done by landscaping companies, rather than by homeowners.