Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the El Cajon Area

El Cajon, CA has a Mediterranean climate that is characteristic of temperate southern California, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

This climate is ideal for growing warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, Buffalo, and St. Augustine, while cool-season grasses such as Ryegrass can also thrive given the mild winters.

The warm summers, however, also make it prone to drought, so drought-tolerant grasses like Fescue should be planted in order to avoid water-related damage.

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

El Cajon Sod Cost Chart

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

BermudaZoysiaSt. AugustineBuffalo
500 sq ft$165 - $315$265 - $440$240 - $440$265 - $390
1000 sq ft$340 - $640$540 - $890$490 - $890$540 - $790
1500 sq ft$515 - $965$815 - $1340$740 - $1340$815 - $1190
2000 sq ft$690 - $1290$1090 - $1790$990 - $1790$1090 - $1590
2500 sq ft$865 - $1615$1365 - $2240$1240 - $2240$1365 - $1990
3000 sq ft$1040 - $1940$1640 - $2690$1490 - $2690$1640 - $2390

*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 El Cajon?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 57° and 79° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.

Average high in october

79°

Average low in october

57°

october is a

good time

to lay sod in El Cajon, 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 El Cajon, Southern California, the best sods to grow are warm-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 El Cajon, Southern 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 El Cajon, Southern California: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in El Cajon - 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 $150 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near El Cajon, 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 5 closest sod farms to El Cajon:
  • Sod Haus1053 7th St, Ramona, CA 92065 17 miles away
  • San Diego Sod Farm254 Pine Street Ramona, CA 92065 18 miles away
  • Orange County Sod Farm Pine St Ramona CA 92065 19 miles away
  • West Coast Turf / Western Sod1365 Descanso Ave, San Marcos, CA 92069 27 miles away
  • West Coast Turf / Western Sod31755 Winchester Rd, Winchester, CA 92596 59 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in El Cajon

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

San Diego is the largest city within 100 miles of El Cajon. This means that San Diego lawn companies near El Cajon 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 El Cajon 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 El Cajon?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $150 to $545 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 El Cajon, Southern California?

Warm season grasses grow best in El Cajon in the Spring and early Summer. Cool season grasses grow best in the Fall and Spring.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in El Cajon?

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