Sod is pre-grown grass harvested in thin layers with soil attached, providing a ready-made solution for creating an instant lawn. Understanding the quantity of sod contained on a pallet is the first step in successful planning for any landscaping project. Accurate ordering based on square footage prevents installation delays or unnecessary material waste, which is crucial since sod is a perishable product.
Standard Pallet Specifications and Coverage
The industry standard for a pallet of sod is defined by the total square footage it covers, not strictly by the piece count. A highly common standard is a pallet that contains enough sod to cover approximately 450 square feet of area. Pallet sizes frequently range between 400 and 500 square feet, though some suppliers may offer larger pallets covering up to 700 square feet, particularly in commercial markets.
This square footage is typically achieved using individual pieces of sod, often referred to as slabs or rolls, stacked onto a standard 40-inch by 48-inch wooden pallet. When sod is cut into the widely used slab size of 16 inches by 24 inches, each piece covers about 2.66 square feet. Therefore, a pallet designed to cover 450 square feet will contain approximately 165 individual pieces.
Factors Influencing Pallet Piece Count
The exact number of pieces on a pallet can vary significantly due to harvesting methods and regional preferences. The dimensions of the individual sod piece are the primary variable that changes the piece count while maintaining the same total square footage. Smaller slabs mean a higher piece count per pallet, whereas larger rolls result in fewer pieces.
Different types of sod are often cut into different forms depending on the grass variety and local practice. For example, warm-season grasses like Bermuda or St. Augustine are commonly harvested in smaller, flat slab formats in southern regions. Conversely, cool-season grasses in northern climates, such as Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue, are often cut into mini hand rolls (around 40 inches by 18 inches) or even larger rolls for specialized equipment. These varying dimensions mean a 450 square foot pallet could contain 165 slabs or only 80 to 90 mini hand rolls.
Converting Area Measurements to Pallets
The process of converting your project area into a pallet order involves a simple but structured calculation to ensure accuracy. Begin by determining the total surface area of the space you intend to cover by multiplying the length and width measurements in feet to get the square footage. For irregularly shaped areas, dividing the space into smaller, measurable rectangles is the most effective approach before summing the individual areas.
Once the total square footage is established, it is prudent to apply a buffer for necessary waste. A standard allowance of 5 to 10 percent should be added to the base area measurement to account for trimming around obstacles, cutting along curved edges, and squaring off the perimeter. For example, a 2,000 square foot area, plus a conservative 5 percent for waste, requires 2,100 total square feet of sod.
To determine the number of pallets needed, divide your adjusted total square footage by the specific square footage covered by one pallet from your chosen supplier. If the local standard is 450 square feet per pallet, dividing 2,100 square feet by 450 yields 4.66 pallets. Since sod is only sold in whole pallet increments, you must round up to the next whole number—in this case, five full pallets—to complete the installation.
Logistical Considerations for Ordering and Delivery
Beyond the piece count and square footage, the weight of a pallet of sod is an important logistical consideration that affects both delivery and handling. A single pallet typically weighs between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds, depending heavily on moisture content. This substantial weight necessitates careful planning for delivery access, requiring the truck to have a clear path, often at least eight feet wide, to unload near the installation site.
Because sod is a living plant material, it is highly perishable once harvested and stacked. The compressed layers can quickly generate heat, causing the grass to yellow or die. Therefore, the sod must be laid immediately upon delivery, ideally within the same day, to encourage successful root establishment.