Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Sacramento Area

The climate in Sacramento, CA is generally warm and dry in the summer, with cool and wet conditions in the winter. This type of climate is ideal for growing cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescues.

These types of grasses have deep root systems and are able to tolerate both the hot summer and cold winter conditions. Tall fescues will also be able to handle the dry conditions in the summer, so they can be a good choice for Sacramento lawns.

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

Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 49° and 80° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.

Average high in october

80°

Average low in october

49°

october is a

good time

to lay sod in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, Northern California, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Hiring Sod Professionals

Opting for a professional 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 Sacramento, Northern California: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Sacramento - 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 $160 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Sacramento, 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 10 closest sod farms to Sacramento:
  • Utterback Sod Farm9986 Horn Road Rancho Cordova, CA 95827 8 miles away
  • Cal Lawn Sod6381 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95621 12 miles away
  • Lawn Nation7862 Winding Way Ste 2964, Fair Oaks, California, 95628 12 miles away
  • CalTurf27909 Mace Blvd Davis, CA 95618 12 miles away
  • Redi-Green Sod Farms13850 Latrobe Rd, Sloughhouse, CA 95683, USA 18 miles away
  • Sierra Sod7988 Robben Road. Dixon, CA 95620 19 miles away
  • A-G Sod Farms HQ12750 Guard Road Lodi, CA 95242 33 miles away
  • SodlawnYuba City, CA 95991 40 miles away
  • Delta Bluegrass Co.111 N Zuckerman Rd, Stockton, CA 95206 41 miles away
  • Delta Charlie Sod2003 Berkesey Dr, Valley Springs, CA 95252 44 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Sacramento

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Sacramento has a population of roughly 528,306, which can be a double-edged sword when it comes to landscaping pricing. This means that sod companies in Sacramento 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!

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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

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 Sacramento, Northern California?

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

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Sacramento?

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

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