Southern California state outlineSouthern California San Bernardino County

Guide to Sod Installation in Upland, Southern California

Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Upland Area

Upland, CA is an arid climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The hot, dry weather in Upland means that grass varieties that are tolerant of drought and arid conditions are the best choice.

Good drought-resistance grasses include Bermuda, Zoysia, and Buffalo grass. These grasses can survive in the high temperatures and low moisture levels of Upland’s climate.

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

Upland Sod Cost Chart

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

BermudaZoysiaSt. AugustineBuffalo
500 sq ft$185 - $335$285 - $460$260 - $460$285 - $410
1000 sq ft$360 - $660$560 - $910$510 - $910$560 - $810
1500 sq ft$535 - $985$835 - $1360$760 - $1360$835 - $1210
2000 sq ft$710 - $1310$1110 - $1810$1010 - $1810$1110 - $1610
2500 sq ft$885 - $1635$1385 - $2260$1260 - $2260$1385 - $2010
3000 sq ft$1060 - $1960$1660 - $2710$1510 - $2710$1660 - $2410

*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 Upland?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 55° and 78° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow quickly.

Average high in may

78°

Average low in may

55°

may is a

good time

to lay sod in Upland, 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 Upland, 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 Upland, Southern 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 Upland, Southern California: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Upland - 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 $165 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Upland, 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 9 closest sod farms to Upland:
  • Superior Sod 7000 Merrill Ave, Building A-310 Chino, CA 91710 9 miles away
  • California Sod Center7000 Merrill Ave. Suite A310 Chino, CA 91710 10 miles away
  • Riverside Sod FarmRiverside County, California 19 miles away
  • Irvine Sod CompanyIrvine, CA 32 miles away
  • A-G Sod Farms HQ30932 Palm Ave Nuevo, CA 92567 36 miles away
  • A-G Sod Farms HQ41120 40th Street East Palmdale, CA 93552 38 miles away
  • Quality Turf, Inc1121 N Warren Rd, San Jacinto, CA 92582, United States 41 miles away
  • West Coast Turf / Western Sod31755 Winchester Rd, Winchester, CA 92596 45 miles away
  • Valley Sod Farm16405 Chase St, North Hills, CA 91343 48 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Upland

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Los Angeles is the largest city within 100 miles of Upland. This means that Los Angeles lawn companies near Upland 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 Upland 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 Upland?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $165 to $560 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 Upland, Southern California?

Warm season grasses grow best in Upland 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 Upland?

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