What is the process for planting grass? Or should I use sod?

Answer 1

Whether you use sod or seed (or plugs) the process is the same in that you should break up the top few inches of the soil (till or pitchfork and rake) and smooth it. If you are using sod, which costs a bunch more, you can walk on it sooner, but you have to lay it carefully to avoid edge cracks, roll it, and keep it watered. With seed you normally have to lightly rake it in after spreading it, then use an empty (not too heavy) roller to pack it to hold the seed and take our the air and you have to keep it watered, probably more often and a ground cloth of some kind to keep it from washing away in a rain is a good idea. The grass comes up from seed very quickly, but it is fragile and you will need a couple of weeks or more before it can/must be mowed.