Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Prior Lake Area

Prior Lake, MN has a humid continental climate that features four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy while summers are warm and humid.

In this climate, grass types that thrive include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and a mix of turf-type tall fescue grasses. Kentucky bluegrass produces a lush, carpet-like lawn and is very cold tolerant, while perennial rye grass is used in blended seed mixtures to provide summer and early fall color.

Tall fescue is a durable grass preferred for use in high-traffic areas, and turf-type tall fescue blends allow for a more emerald-green color with greater tolerance for drought and salinity.

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

Prior Lake Sod Cost Chart

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

Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine Fescue
500 sq ft$185 - $360$310 - $435$160 - $335$235 - $385
1000 sq ft$360 - $710$610 - $860$310 - $660$460 - $760
1500 sq ft$535 - $1060$910 - $1285$460 - $985$685 - $1135
2000 sq ft$710 - $1410$1210 - $1710$610 - $1310$910 - $1510
2500 sq ft$885 - $1760$1510 - $2135$760 - $1635$1135 - $1885
3000 sq ft$1060 - $2110$1810 - $2560$910 - $1960$1360 - $2260

*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 Prior Lake?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 50° and 69° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.

Average high in may

69°

Average low in may

50°

may is a

good time

to lay sod in Prior Lake, MN

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 Prior Lake, Minnesota, the best sods to grow are cool-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 Prior Lake, Minnesota, 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 Prior Lake, Minnesota: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Prior Lake - Local MN 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 Prior Lake, 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 10 closest sod farms to Prior Lake:
  • Magnuson Sod5901 Nicollet Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55419 14 miles away
  • Wagner Sod Company8150 Courthouse Blvd Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 19 miles away
  • Jirik Sod Farms20530 Blaine Ave Farmington , MN 55024 20 miles away
  • JB Sod Farms, LLC12160 102nd St. Cologne, MN 55322 20 miles away
  • Fricke & Sons Sod Inc20295 Territorial Rd Maple Grove, MN 55311 31 miles away
  • Lake Elmo Sod FarmPO Box 216 Lake Elmo, MN. 55042 33 miles away
  • A&L Sod Superior Quality77 Main St. Lino Lakes, MN 55014 36 miles away
  • HD Sod, Inc14196 Fenway Ave N, Hugo, MN 55038 37 miles away
  • Hogdal Turf2662 Westlund Dr NE Ham Lake, MN 55304 38 miles away
  • Central Turf Farms13655 Lake Drive Forest Lake, MN 55025 38 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Prior Lake

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Minneapolis is the largest city within 100 miles of Prior Lake. This means that Minneapolis lawn companies near Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake?

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 Prior Lake, Minnesota?

Cool season grasses grow best in Prior Lake in the Fall and Spring.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Prior Lake?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Prior Lake, 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

Terrance Sowell

Writer & Editor, SodCalculator.com

Terrance is a former engineer turned sod connoisseur, who brings a unique, scientific approach to the world of landscaping. His analytical style and dedication to environmentally responsible practices make his content an invaluable resource for the eco-conscious homeowner.

Featured in Lawn & Landscape magazine badge

Get A Quote From An Expert
at Sodding Your Yard in Prior Lake