Quick Intro
The climate in Traverse City, MI is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. The average daily low temperatures in winter generally range from low teens to mid-twenties (Fahrenheit).
Snowfall typically occurs between November and April. The climate of this region is ideal for many types of cool-season grasses, such as bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue.
These grasses are heat- and drought-tolerant, making them well-suited for the warm summer and cold winter conditions of Traverse City. They also can take occasional foot traffic, making them suitable for lawns.
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 32° and 44° 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 november
44°Average low in november
32°november is a
to lay sod in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, Michigan, 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 Traverse City, Michigan, 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 Traverse 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.
Unfortunately, we don't know of any sod farms near Traverse City 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?
Because there aren't any large metropolitan cities near Traverse City 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.
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