Quick Intro
The climate in Watertown, SD is characterized by long, cold, and snowy winters and hot summer months. The average temperature in July is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the average temperature in January is a chilly 16 degrees Fahrenheit.
The area receives an average of 21 inches of precipitation throughout the year, primarily snow in the winter and rain during the warmer months. This climate lends itself to cool-season grasses that can resist winter cold and spring frosts, such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue.
These grasses are brought out of dormancy from January onward as temperatures warm, and can remain green and healthy despite occasional summer heat.
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 10° and 27° 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
27°Average low in december
10°december is a
to lay sod in Watertown, SD
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 Watertown, South Dakota, 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 Watertown, South Dakota, 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 Watertown, 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 Watertown 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 Watertown 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