Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Cary Area

Cary, NC generally experiences mild winters and hot, humid summers. The climate is considered to be humid subtropical, with some variations due to elevation.

This moderate climate and moisture makes it a great location for warm-season grasses such as St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia, as well as cool-season grasses such as tall fescue. The best type of grass to grow in this area will depend on the specific soil conditions, sunlight availability, and water requirements for the area.

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

Cary Sod Cost Chart

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

BermudaKentucky BluegrassZoysiaTall Fescue
500 sq ft$165 - $315$165 - $340$265 - $440$290 - $415
1000 sq ft$340 - $640$340 - $690$540 - $890$590 - $840
1500 sq ft$515 - $965$515 - $1040$815 - $1340$890 - $1265
2000 sq ft$690 - $1290$690 - $1390$1090 - $1790$1190 - $1690
2500 sq ft$865 - $1615$865 - $1740$1365 - $2240$1490 - $2115
3000 sq ft$1040 - $1940$1040 - $2090$1640 - $2690$1790 - $2540

*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 Cary?

As you can see in our handy chart below, december is generally not the best time to lay sod in Cary.

Because the daytime temperature averages between 35° and 55° 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

55°

Average low in december

35°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Cary, NC

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 Cary, North Carolina, the best sods to grow are transition 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 Cary, North Carolina, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Hiring Sod Professionals

Opting for a professional lawn and 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 Cary, North Carolina: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Cary - Local NC 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 $145 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Cary, 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 9 closest sod farms to Cary:
  • Willow Springs Turf13451 Old Stage Road Willow Spring, NC 27592 18 miles away
  • DMG Turf997 Matthews Mill Pond Road Angier, NC 27501 21 miles away
  • Alphin Turf Farms 8024 Alphin Farm Road, Wendell, North Carolina 27591 25 miles away
  • Carver Brothers Turf118 Carver Brothers Dr, Roxboro, North Carolina 27574 46 miles away
  • Snowhill Turf farm1004 Cedar Creek Rd Fayetteville, NC 28312 52 miles away
  • Horne Turf Farm1109 Horne Farm Road Stedman, NC 28391 54 miles away
  • Buy SodPO Box 4089 Pinehurst, NC 28374 56 miles away
  • Daniel Sod Farm2030 Davmunds Trl Sutherlin, VA 24594 60 miles away
  • Carolina Turf Farms1495 St. Pauls Rd Raeford, NC 28376 60 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Cary

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Raleigh is the largest city within 100 miles of Cary. This means that Raleigh lawn companies near Cary 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 Cary 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 Cary?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $145 to $540 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 Cary, North Carolina?

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

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Cary?

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