Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Rainbow City Area

Rainbow City, AL has a humid, subtropical climate. This type of climate experiences moderate levels of precipitation throughout the year, with periods of high humidity in the summer months and mild winters.

Due to the warm climate and moderate rainfall, grasses that thrive in this environment include St. Augustine, Bermuda Grass, Centipede grass, Zoysia grass, and Tall Fescue. These grasses can tolerate the summer heat, thrive in the occasional periods of drought, and spread quickly to fill in open areas.

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

Rainbow City Sod Cost Chart

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

BermudaZoysiaSt. AugustineBuffalo
500 sq ft$185 - $335$285 - $460$260 - $460$285 - $410
1000 sq ft$360 - $660$560 - $910$510 - $910$560 - $810
1500 sq ft$535 - $985$835 - $1360$760 - $1360$835 - $1210
2000 sq ft$710 - $1310$1110 - $1810$1010 - $1810$1110 - $1610
2500 sq ft$885 - $1635$1385 - $2260$1260 - $2260$1385 - $2010
3000 sq ft$1060 - $1960$1660 - $2710$1510 - $2710$1660 - $2410

*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 Rainbow City?

As you can see in our handy chart below, may is generally a great time to lay sod in Rainbow City.

Because the daytime temperature averages between 59° and 81° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.

Average high in may

81°

Average low in may

59°

may is a

good time

to lay sod in Rainbow City, 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 Rainbow City, 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 Rainbow City, Alabama, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Hiring Sod Professionals

Going with a landscaping company means a comprehensive, hands-free solution. They have teams that manage everything from sourcing quality sod to preparing the ground, taking care of sod delivery to your property, and installing the turf grass for you.

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 Rainbow City, Alabama: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Rainbow City - 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 $160 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Rainbow City, 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.

Poor Online Support: Don't expect a sophisticated online browsing experience. Most sod farms have basic websites, so you'll likely need to make a phone call or fire off an email conversation to get ahold of availability and pricing.

Interested in going the farm route?

Here are the 6 closest sod farms to Rainbow City:
  • Coosa Valley Turf Farms900 County Rd 492 Centre, AL 35960 26 miles away
  • Birmingham Sod Company6315 Country Vale Ln, Pinson, AL 35126, USA 34 miles away
  • Shelby Sod2455 Dead Hollow Rd South Harpersville, AL 35078 48 miles away
  • Sunbelt Sod Company34616 Hwy 25 Harpersville, AL 35078 50 miles away
  • South Dallas Sod Farm4940 Coshatt Dr Hoover, AL 35244 54 miles away
  • Coosa Valley Sod Farm714 Old Lokey Ferry Rd Wilsonville, AL 35186 55 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Rainbow City

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Atlanta is the largest city within 100 miles of Rainbow City. This means that Atlanta lawn companies near Rainbow City may charge more to cover the cost to travel to your property. But at the same time you will have more options to choose from, so make sure to get multiple quotes. We've seen how prices can vary wildly!

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 Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $160 to $555 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 Rainbow City, Alabama?

Warm season grasses grow best in Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Rainbow City, 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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