A quality lawn containing the recommended mixtures of grass varieties and species can be established with either seed or sod. Perennial ryegrass, annual ryegrass, and Lolium hybridum, tall fescue are essentially established by seed. KBG is easily established by seed, but is also available in sod form. Tall fescue is sometimes available as a netted sod.

Common bermudagrass, the improved turf-type seeded bermudagrass varieties, and the seeded "Princess" type hybrids are established by seed. The sterile vegetation hybrids of bermudagrass (non-pollen producing) include E-Z Turf, Tifgreen 328, Tifway 419, Santa Ana, and a few others.

Zoysiagrass and St. Augustine are usually established from sod, or plugs. Seed is not readily available in Arizona for these two grasses. The soil preparation for the two methods does not differ. Initially, seed is less expensive than sod. However, successful, weed-free establishment is more difficult with seed than with sod. If reseeding of certain areas or even an entire lawn is necessary, the overall expense may be less with sod. Also, because of the time required for seed to germinate and become well-rooted in the soil, the area is exposed to excessive potential for erosion. Sodding practically eliminates such problems, a consideration which may be especially important on steep hills or banks. Sodding provides an immediately pleasing turf that is quickly functional and will compete with viable weed seed already present in the soil.