Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Gardendale Area

Gardendale, AL has a humid subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers, and mild to cool winters.

This type of climate means that the best type of grass to grow in the area is a warm-season grass such as Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, or St. Augustine.

These grass types can handle heat, humidity, and drought better than cool-season grasses.

Let's take a look at some costs for different lawn sizes.

Gardendale Sod Cost Chart

Listed below are average price ranges for various yard sizes and sod types

BermudaZoysiaSt. AugustineBuffalo
500 sq ft$175 - $325$275 - $450$250 - $450$275 - $400
1000 sq ft$350 - $650$550 - $900$500 - $900$550 - $800
1500 sq ft$525 - $975$825 - $1350$750 - $1350$825 - $1200
2000 sq ft$700 - $1300$1100 - $1800$1000 - $1800$1100 - $1600
2500 sq ft$875 - $1625$1375 - $2250$1250 - $2250$1375 - $2000
3000 sq ft$1050 - $1950$1650 - $2700$1500 - $2700$1650 - $2400

*Keep in mind these sod prices only include the sod itself - not delivery fees, sod installation, and other lawn care services.

Timing it just right

Is Now the Best Time to Lay Sod in Gardendale?

As you can see in our handy chart below, september is generally a great time to lay sod in Gardendale.

Because the daytime temperature averages between 66° and 87° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.

Average high in september

87°

Average low in september

66°

september is a

good time

to lay sod in Gardendale, AL

Click/scroll on the months above to see average temperatures and how that affects the best time to lay sod.

The Best Types for Your Area

Because of the climate in Gardendale, Alabama, the best sods to grow are warm-season grasses. Below is a list of these grasses and their ballpark prices:

How much will it cost me?
lot lines graphic

Price Considerations

DIY vs. Hiring a Sod Installation Company

When it comes to sodding your new lawn in Gardendale, Alabama, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Hiring Sod Professionals

Opting for a professional landscaping service offers a complete, effortless approach. These companies provide full-service teams that handle the entire process: they source high-quality sod, prepare the site, arrange delivery to your location, and professionally install the grass, leaving you with nothing to do.

Cost: This is when you want the white glove "do it all for me" approach. You're not just paying for the product but also for professional labor, project management, and often, a service warranty. Expect to pay $300 or more per pallet of sod and double that figure for installation.

Sod Procurement options in Gardendale, Alabama: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Gardendale - Local AL Sod Farms

Want to save a little cash? Sod farms are the way to go. This DIY approach comes with its own set of challenges, but the cost-saving potential for homeowners is significant.

Cost: Prices can drop to as low as $150 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Gardendale, offering you substantial savings. You'll sometimes need to go pick up the sod yourself as well.

DIY: The trade-off here is the manual labor involved in self-installation. Additionally, many sod farms operate on a minimum purchase policy, commonly starting at multiple pallets, which typically covers at least 1000 square feet.

Limited Online Presence: Sod farms typically lack advanced websites. Instead of a seamless online shopping experience, you'll probably need to reach out via phone or email to inquire about stock and costs. Don't anticipate comprehensive online support or information.

Interested in going the farm route?

Here are the 6 closest sod farms to Gardendale:
  • Birmingham Sod Company6315 Country Vale Ln, Pinson, AL 35126, USA 12 miles away
  • South Dallas Sod Farm4940 Coshatt Dr Hoover, AL 35244 20 miles away
  • Shelby Sod2455 Dead Hollow Rd South Harpersville, AL 35078 33 miles away
  • Sunbelt Sod Company34616 Hwy 25 Harpersville, AL 35078 35 miles away
  • Coosa Valley Sod Farm714 Old Lokey Ferry Rd Wilsonville, AL 35186 37 miles away
  • Corky’s Sod Farm972 Adahi Ln, Brierfield, AL 35035 43 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Gardendale

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Because there aren't any large metropolitan cities near Gardendale you'll need to find a local sod supplier. Usually this means you'll have fewer options to choose from, but you can get a good deal as the cost of living (and thus services) is likely lower than big cities.

Preparation Work

The following factors can make a huge difference in the cost and either save you or cost you big time:

  • Regrading: Need to flatten your yard? This can vary pricing wise but expect to pay roughly $0.55 per square foot extra on average.
  • Soil needs: If it's new construction or you have poor soil, you may need to add topsoil. Expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $0.25 per square foot for this.
  • Removal of existing sod: If you have existing grass that needs to go, this can cost an additional $0.45 per square foot.
  • Removal of other debris: Let's just say you have lot's of pebbles and rocks in your soil. It's going to cost extra to remove those.

Installation Labor Costs

The next thing to consider pricing wise is the cost of labor. Here are some of the factors that can influence labor costs:
  • Ease of access to your yard: Is it in a back yard that's hard to access? Up on a hill that laborers have to walk up? This will add to your cost.
  • Random objects: Best case scenario: it's wide open grass. If there are lots of trees, irrigation systems, or other objects this can add to labor cost.
  • Time of year: Since it's a seasonal business, and there's less demand for sod in Gardendale in the winter, you can sometimes get deals in the off-season.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly at team@sodcalculator.com

What is the cost for a pallet of sod in Gardendale?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $150 to $545 a pallet. Most of the time it's somewhere in the middle around $350 per pallet.

How much sod is in a pallet?

Different companies have different pallet sizes, but the most common is 500 square feet. We've also seen 400 square feet, 450 square feet and even 504 square feet. Make sure to check with the company!

What time of year do you lay sod in Gardendale, Alabama?

Warm season grasses grow best in Gardendale in the Spring and early Summer. Cool season grasses grow best in the Fall and Spring.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Gardendale?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Gardendale, you might have some luck looking on Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, or Craigslist. Otherwise you might be out of luck and have to purchase a whole pallet (400-500 sq ft).

Nearby Cities

Amelia Anderson

Writer & Editor, SodCalculator.com

Avid gardener and passionate landscaper, Amelia brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to her readers. With a background in environmental studies, she combines her love for nature with her drive to create sustainable, picturesque outdoor spaces.

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