Quick Intro
The climate in Anchorage, AK is subarctic, with cold, long winters and relatively mild, short summers.
This affects the types of grass that are best grown there; cold-tolerant, slow-growing grasses such as hard fescue, fine fescue, and bluegrass do best in this climate.
These grasses all tolerate colder temperatures, require only moderate amounts of water, and don't require as much fertilizer or mowing as other, more delicate varieties.
Let's take a look at some costs for different lawn sizes.
Listed below are average price ranges for various yard sizes and sod types
Kentucky Bluegrass | Tall Fescue | Perennial Ryegrass | Fine Fescue | |
---|---|---|---|---|
500 sq ft | $175 - $350 | $300 - $425 | $150 - $325 | $225 - $375 |
1000 sq ft | $350 - $700 | $600 - $850 | $300 - $650 | $450 - $750 |
1500 sq ft | $525 - $1050 | $900 - $1275 | $450 - $975 | $675 - $1125 |
2000 sq ft | $700 - $1400 | $1200 - $1700 | $600 - $1300 | $900 - $1500 |
2500 sq ft | $875 - $1750 | $1500 - $2125 | $750 - $1625 | $1125 - $1875 |
3000 sq ft | $1050 - $2100 | $1800 - $2550 | $900 - $1950 | $1350 - $2250 |
*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
Because the daytime temperature averages between 14° and 25° degrees fahrenheit, it will be difficult for the grass to take root and grow. Consider waiting until the weather warms up a bit.
Average high in december
25°Average low in december
14°december is a
to lay sod in Anchorage, AK
Click/scroll on the months above to see average temperatures and how that affects the best time to lay sod.
Because of the climate in Anchorage, Alaska, the best sods to grow are cool-season grasses. Below is a list of these grasses and their ballpark prices:
Price Considerations
When it comes to sodding your new lawn in Anchorage, Alaska, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:
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.
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 Anchorage, 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.
Unfortunately, we don't know of any sod farms near Anchorage currently. If you know of one that should be listed, please let us know by reaching out to support@sodcalculator.com and we will add it for free.
What else?
Anchorage has a population of roughly 283,154, which can be a double-edged sword when it comes to landscaping pricing. This means that sod companies in Anchorage may charge more to cover the cost of living in a larger city. But at the same time you will have more options to choose from, so make sure to get multiple quotes. Prices can vary wildly!
The following factors can make a huge difference in the cost and either save you or cost you big time:
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly at team@sodcalculator.com