Sod is pre-grown grass harvested with a thin layer of soil and root structure, providing an instant solution for establishing a lawn. For homeowners addressing small areas of damage, sod can be purchased by the piece, which is typically a standard, pre-cut rectangular slab or a small roll.
This individual unit is the smallest viable format for purchase, making it ideal for patching dead spots or minor areas of turf loss. Utilizing a single piece allows for immediate coverage and seamless blending with the existing lawn, bypassing the long growth period required for seeding.
Understanding Retail Sod Formats
The unit referred to as a “piece” of sod is a specifically sized section designed for easy manual handling and installation by a homeowner. While there is no universal industry standard, many suppliers use a slab size of approximately 16 inches by 24 inches, covering about 2.75 square feet. Other common formats include mini hand rolls, providing 10 square feet of coverage per roll. These individual units are distinct from the large-scale bulk options sold to contractors or for new construction projects.
Bulk sod is typically shipped on pallets, covering 400 to 500 square feet, and requires specialized equipment like a forklift. The smaller, hand-cut pieces are intentionally sized to weigh between 15 and 30 pounds, depending on moisture content and soil type. This makes them light enough for a single person to transport and maneuver. This unit packaging allows for small-quantity sales, unlike the large commercial rolls that can be 30 inches wide and over 100 feet long.
Where to Locate and Purchase Individual Pieces
The most reliable locations for finding sod sold in individual pieces are large national home improvement centers, which routinely stock smaller quantities in their garden sections. These retailers often feature a limited selection of common grass varieties, like Bermuda or Fescue, sold as single slabs or small rolls. Local nurseries and garden centers are also excellent sources and may offer a wider variety of grass species better suited to regional climates.
When purchasing small quantities, inquire about the delivery schedule, as sod is a perishable product that begins to degrade once harvested and stacked. Sod is freshest immediately after cutting, making purchases on or shortly after the delivery day preferable for successful root establishment. Sod farms primarily deal in bulk, but some may accommodate small, direct orders if the customer is willing to pick up the material at the farm.
Calculating Your Needs and Avoiding Waste
Accurate measurement of the damaged area is paramount when buying sod by the piece to minimize waste from over-purchasing. For irregularly shaped patches, the most precise method involves mentally breaking the area down into basic geometric forms, such as rectangles, squares, and triangles. Measure the length and width of each smaller section separately, then calculate the square footage for each shape before adding them together to find the total area.
It is wise practice to add a slight buffer, perhaps five to ten percent, to your total square footage requirement to account for necessary trimming and fitting around existing healthy turf. Since sod must be laid down within 24 to 48 hours of harvest, unused pieces cannot be stored or returned, so precise calculation prevents the costly disposal of perishable grass. Knowing the exact dimensions of the piece you purchase allows you to determine the precise number of pieces needed to cover the measured square footage.