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Guide to Sod Installation in Danville, Northern California

Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Danville Area

Danville, California has a Mediterranean climate, influenced by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Bay Area. This means it experiences mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

It rarely experiences extreme hot or cold temperatures. With such a climate, cool-season grasses are best suited for Danville, as they can withstand the wet winters and remain drought-resistant during the hot summers.

Recommended examples include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass, are also suitable, but require daily irrigation in the summer.

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

Danville Sod Cost Chart

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

Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine Fescue
500 sq ft$165 - $340$290 - $415$140 - $315$215 - $365
1000 sq ft$340 - $690$590 - $840$290 - $640$440 - $740
1500 sq ft$515 - $1040$890 - $1265$440 - $965$665 - $1115
2000 sq ft$690 - $1390$1190 - $1690$590 - $1290$890 - $1490
2500 sq ft$865 - $1740$1490 - $2115$740 - $1615$1115 - $1865
3000 sq ft$1040 - $2090$1790 - $2540$890 - $1940$1340 - $2240

*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 Danville?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 53° and 69° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.

Average high in may

69°

Average low in may

53°

may is a

good time

to lay sod in Danville, CA

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 Danville, Northern California, 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 Danville, Northern California, 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 Danville, Northern California: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Danville - Local CA 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 Danville, 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 8 closest sod farms to Danville:
  • Delta Bluegrass Co.111 N Zuckerman Rd, Stockton, CA 95206 29 miles away
  • A-G Sod Farms HQ12750 Guard Road Lodi, CA 95242 35 miles away
  • Sierra Sod7988 Robben Road. Dixon, CA 95620 46 miles away
  • Grass Farm Garden Accents602 Palm Ave. Morgan Hill, CA 95037 46 miles away
  • West Coast Turf / Western Sod1649 Fruit Ave., Patterson, CA 95363 50 miles away
  • CalTurf27909 Mace Blvd Davis, CA 95618 52 miles away
  • Grass Farm Garden Accents11155 Lena Ave. Gilroy, CA 95020 56 miles away
  • Park Avenue Turf3075 Old Gravenstein Hwy South,Sebastopol, CA 95472 59 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Danville

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

San Jose is the largest city within 100 miles of Danville. This means that San Jose lawn companies near Danville 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 Danville 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 Danville?

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 Danville, Northern California?

Cool season grasses grow best in Danville in the Fall and Spring.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Danville?

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