St Augustine Grass Sod Cost: Price per Sq Ft & Pallet

St. Augustine grass sod typically costs between $0.35 and $0.80 per square foot, or roughly $350 to $800 per pallet (which covers about 500 square feet). The final price depends on your region, the variety, and whether you buy from a farm or a retail store.

Formula

The calculator above works out the volume of soil or mulch you would need to cover a rectangular area to a certain depth. The formulas are:

• Volume in cubic feet = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
• Volume in cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324

Where:

• l = lawn length in feet
• w = lawn width in feet
• d = depth in inches

The divisor 12 converts inches to feet for the cubic-foot result, and 324 (12 × 27) converts inches to yards for the cubic-yard result.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator – a lawn 40 ft long, 25 ft wide, and a 3-inch depth:

1. Convert depth to feet: 3 in ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
2. Calculate volume in cubic feet: 40 × 25 × 0.25 = 250 ft³
3. Convert to cubic yards: 250 ÷ 27 = 9.26 yd³

The calculator shows 9.26 yd³ (and 250 ft³), matching the manual calculation.

Why Price Varies So Much

St. Augustine sod is not a single product with a fixed price. The cost per square foot depends on several factors:

• Region: In the Southeast and Gulf Coast, where St. Augustine is native and widely grown, prices are lower. In drier or colder areas, it may need to be shipped, raising the cost.
• Variety: Common St. Augustine (e.g., Floratam, Raleigh) is cheaper than improved cultivars like Palmetto or Bitterblue, which have better shade tolerance or finer texture.
• Purchase point: Buying directly from a sod farm is almost always cheaper than a big-box store or landscape supply company, which adds markup and delivery fees.
• Quantity: Bulk orders (a full pallet or more) usually get a lower per-square-foot price than small pieces sold individually.
• Season: Prices often rise in spring and early summer when demand peaks, and fall in late summer or fall.

As a general rule, expect to pay more per square foot for smaller quantities. A single roll (about 10 sq ft) might cost $1.00–$1.50 per sq ft, while a full pallet (about 500 sq ft) might drop to $0.35–$0.60 per sq ft.

How to Estimate Your Total Cost

To budget for St. Augustine sod, you need to know two things: the area of your lawn and the price per square foot in your area. Here is the process:

1. Measure your lawn – Break it into rectangles and triangles, measure each, and add them together. For a rectangle, multiply length × width.
2. Add 5–10% for waste – Sod is cut in irregular shapes, and you will need to trim pieces to fit curves and edges. A 10% overage is a safe standard.
3. Get a local price – Call a few sod farms or landscape suppliers and ask for the price per pallet or per square foot. Prices vary by region and season.
4. Multiply – Total cost = (area × 1.10) × price per sq ft.

For example, a 2,000 sq ft lawn with a 10% overage (2,200 sq ft) at $0.50/sq ft would cost $1,100 for the sod alone. Delivery and installation are extra.

Common Mistakes When Buying Sod

Many first-time buyers make errors that cost time and money. Avoid these:

• Not measuring accurately – Guessing the area leads to over- or under-ordering. Take the time to measure with a tape or use an online area calculator.
• Ordering too little – Forgetting about waste, curves, and trimming means you will run short and have to buy a second batch that may not match in color or variety.
• Ordering too much – Sod is perishable; unused rolls will die within a few days. Order only what you need plus a small buffer.
• Ignoring delivery costs – Delivery fees can add $50–$150 or more, especially for long distances. Factor that into your total.
• Buying the wrong variety – Not all St. Augustine does well in all climates. Check with your local extension office for the recommended cultivar for your area.

St. Augustine vs. Other Grass Types

St. Augustine is a popular warm-season grass, but it is not the only option. Here is how it compares to other common choices:

• Bermuda grass – Cheaper (often $0.30–$0.50/sq ft), more drought-tolerant, but goes dormant and turns brown in winter. St. Augustine stays greener longer.
• Zoysia – Similar price to St. Augustine, but slower to establish and more shade-tolerant. Zoysia has a finer texture but can be more invasive.
• Centipede grass – Lower maintenance and cheaper, but less shade-tolerant and has a lighter green color.
• Fescue – A cool-season grass that stays green year-round in the transition zone, but requires more water and does not handle heat as well.

St. Augustine is prized for its thick, carpet-like feel and good shade tolerance, but it is not the cheapest or most drought-resistant option.

Installation Costs and DIY vs. Professional

If you install the sod yourself, you save on labor but still need to prepare the soil, lay the rolls, and water heavily. Professional installation typically costs $0.50–$1.00 per square foot, depending on the region and site prep needed. That includes removing old grass, grading, and sometimes adding topsoil or compost.

DIY installation is feasible for small lawns, but for anything over 1,000 sq ft, it is heavy work. A pallet of sod weighs about 1,500–2,000 lbs, so you will need a truck and possibly a few helpers. Professional installers also know how to stagger seams and avoid gaps, which reduces the risk of the sod drying out and dying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many square feet does a pallet of St. Augustine sod cover?

A standard pallet of St. Augustine sod covers about 500 square feet, but this can vary by supplier. Some pallets cover 450 sq ft, others 600 sq ft. Always confirm the coverage with the seller before ordering.

Can I buy St. Augustine sod in small quantities?

Yes, many garden centers and home improvement stores sell individual rolls or small pieces of St. Augustine sod. However, the price per square foot is much higher than buying a full pallet. If you only need a small patch, this is the way to go.

Is St. Augustine sod worth the higher cost compared to seed?

St. Augustine grass is not commonly sold as seed because it produces very little viable seed and does not grow true from seed. Sod is the standard way to establish it, so the cost is justified if you want this specific grass type.

When is the best time to buy St. Augustine sod?

Prices are often lower in late summer and early fall when demand drops, but the grass establishes best in late spring or early summer when soil temperatures are warm. Buying in the off-season may save money, but you may have to wait to install.

Does the price include delivery?

Usually not. Delivery is typically charged separately, often based on distance and quantity. Some suppliers offer free delivery on large orders (e.g., 10+ pallets), but this is not universal. Always ask about delivery fees before finalizing your order.

How long does St. Augustine sod last before it must be installed?

Sod is perishable and should be installed within 24–48 hours of being harvested. If you cannot install it immediately, keep it in a shaded area and keep it moist. The longer it sits, the more it deteriorates, and the higher the risk of it not rooting properly.

Related

• How Much Extra Sod Should I Order?
• Lawn Seed Per Square Foot: Rates and Calculator
• Bermuda Grass Seed Per Square Foot: Seeding Rates

in l | Lawn length | ft | 40 | 0 | 100000
in w | Lawn width | ft | 25 | 0 | 100000
in d | Depth | in | 3 | 0 | 120
out yd | Volume | yd³ | l * w * d / 324 | 2
out ft3 | Volume | ft³ | l * w * d / 12 | 1