How Much Sod Do You Need?
Calculate the square footage and number of sod rolls or pallets for your lawn. Includes cost estimate and installation tips.
Sod vs Seed: When to Choose Sod
Sod costs 5-10x more than seed but gives you an instant lawn. Choose sod when: you need erosion control immediately (slopes, new construction), you want a lawn within 2-3 weeks instead of 2-3 months, your HOA requires a finished lawn by a deadline, or the planting window for seed has passed. Choose seed when budget is tight and you can wait 8-12 weeks for establishment.
Installation Day Is Critical
Sod is a perishable product — it must be installed within 24 hours of delivery (12 hours in summer heat). Water the soil before laying, stagger seams like bricks, press edges tightly together, and water immediately after installation. Water deeply 2-3 times daily for the first 2 weeks, then gradually reduce to normal watering as roots establish.
Grass Type by Climate
Cool-season (north): Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass. Best planted spring or fall. Warm-season (south): Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia. Best planted late spring through summer. Transition zone: Fescue or Bermuda depending on specific location. Choosing the wrong grass type for your climate is the most expensive lawn mistake.
Do not overlap sod pieces — butt them tightly together. Overlapping creates raised seams and double-thickness spots that dry out and die. Gaps wider than 1/2 inch should be filled with topsoil. Use a lawn roller after installation to press sod firmly against the soil.
