SOD FOR YARD

Measure your yard length and width in feet. For irregular yards, use the L-shape toggle. Enter the total area of any hardscape to exclude — driveways, walkways, planting beds, deck footprint, AC unit pads. The calculator subtracts that from the gross area and returns pallet count (most suppliers palletize sod at 450 ft²) plus the equivalent in individual 10-ft² rolls if you only need a small patch.

Pallets are how sod is sold for installs; rolls are for patching small dead spots. Always order one extra pallet for cuts around irregular edges and beds — leftover sod placed in the shade and watered survives 3–5 days for emergency repairs.

For a 50 × 30 ft front yard (1,500 ft²) minus 200 ft² of driveway and 100 ft² of beds:

Net sod area: 1,500 − 300 = 1,200 ft². Pallets: 1,200 ÷ 450 = 2.67 → 3 pallets. Rolls equivalent: 1,200 ÷ 10 = 120 rolls.

At $200–$400 per pallet delivered (varies by region and grass type), materials run $600–$1,200 for this yard. Pro install adds $0.50–$1.50 per ft² in labor (~$600–$1,800), making total installed cost $1,200–$3,000 for 1,200 ft² of new lawn.

For a small patch (say a 6 × 8 ft dead spot = 48 ft²), buy 5 individual rolls instead of a full pallet. Most landscape yards sell loose rolls if you ask.

Skipping soil prep. Sod laid over compacted clay or weedy soil dies within weeks. Spend the day before install loosening the top 2–3 inches with a tiller, removing weeds, raking smooth.

Buying sod that doesn't match your sun exposure. Bermuda needs full sun; St. Augustine tolerates shade; Kentucky bluegrass wants cool climates. Match the variety to your yard before ordering.

Letting pallets sit. Sod is alive — it deteriorates within 24–48 hours of being cut, faster in heat. Order delivery the morning of your install, not days ahead.

Underwatering the first week. New sod needs 1+ inch of water daily for 7–10 days while roots establish. Most failures trace back to insufficient first-week watering.

1 pallet covers 450 ft² (varies 400–500 by supplier). 1 individual roll = 10 ft². 1 pallet ≈ 21 × 21 ft.

Over 1,000 ft²: pallets win on cost. Under 100 ft²: bagged grass seed is cheaper than even a single pallet.

Best install temps: 50–80°F for cool-season grasses, 60–95°F for warm-season. Avoid sodding in midsummer heat.

A pallet weighs 1,500–3,000 lbs and needs a forklift or pallet jack to unload. Most delivery companies will set it on your driveway, not lawn.

Walking on new sod the first 2 weeks compacts roots and creates dead spots. Stay off until you can pull a corner and feel resistance from rooted runners.