Sod is pre-grown turfgrass harvested in sections, offering an immediate solution for creating a lush lawn. When a person asks about the number of “pieces of grass in a pallet,” they are referring to the individual rolls or slabs of this turf. Suppliers stack this harvested grass on wooden pallets for easy transport and installation. While the total area covered by a pallet is generally standardized, the exact number of pieces varies based on the dimensions of the individual cut sections.
Standard Dimensions and Coverage of a Sod Pallet
The standard residential sod pallet in the United States is designed to cover a specific square footage, which is the most consistent measurement across the industry. This standardization is crucial for planning large projects. A common range for a full pallet is between 400 and 500 square feet of coverage. Many suppliers use a baseline of 450 square feet as the standard coverage area for a single pallet.
The pieces themselves are cut in two main styles: slabs or mini-rolls. In many regions, particularly the South, sod is cut into slabs that typically measure 16 inches by 24 inches, resulting in a coverage area of approximately 2.67 square feet per piece. If a pallet is stacked to cover 450 square feet with these dimensions, it would contain about 165 to 170 individual pieces.
In other areas, often the North, the sod may be cut into mini-rolls that are larger, such as 18 inches wide by 40 inches long, covering about five square feet per roll. A pallet covering 450 square feet would contain approximately 90 of these mini-rolls. Regardless of whether the pallet contains 90 larger rolls or 170 smaller slabs, the total area of the living grass remains consistent with the declared square footage.
Factors Influencing Pallet Size and Quantity
The exact number of pieces on a pallet is not universally fixed because the weight of the harvested grass is a major consideration for shipping and handling. Sod is a perishable product that is heavy due to its soil and water content, often weighing between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds per pallet when fully loaded. Suppliers must ensure the pallet remains within safe limits for forklift operation and transport, especially when the grass is wet after watering or rain.
The species of grass significantly affects the pallet’s final weight and piece count. Thicker, denser grasses like St. Augustine or Zoysia, which are common in warmer Southern climates, naturally weigh more per square foot than finer-bladed grasses like Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass. To maintain a manageable pallet weight, suppliers of these heavier varieties may reduce the number of pieces or the total square footage on a pallet compared to lighter types.
Regional harvesting practices influence both the piece size and the pallet’s total coverage area. Southern states often favor the slab-style cut, leading to pallets that frequently cover 450 to 500 square feet. Northern and cooler regions sometimes use mini-rolls or larger rolls. Some commercial operations utilize “big rolls” that cover several hundred square feet each. These regional preferences mean that the dimensions of the individual pieces and the final piece count are highly variable from one farm to the next.
Calculating Your Project Needs
Determining how many pallets you need for a project begins with accurately measuring the area you intend to cover. For a rectangular space, measuring the length and width in feet and multiplying these figures together yields the total square footage. For irregular or curved areas, the most accurate method is to divide the space into smaller, measurable squares, rectangles, and triangles. Then, calculate the area of each section and sum them up.
Once the total square footage of the installation area is calculated, it is necessary to factor in a margin for waste. Installation requires cuts to fit the sod around curves, garden beds, pathways, and edges. A standard waste factor of 5% to 10% of the total area should be added to the base measurement to ensure you do not run short. For a project with many curves or complex shapes, the higher 10% factor is generally recommended.
The final step is to divide the adjusted total square footage by the coverage of a single pallet from your supplier. If your measured area plus the waste factor totals 1,000 square feet, and the supplier’s pallet covers 450 square feet, the calculation is 1,000 divided by 450, which equals 2.22 pallets. Because sod is typically sold only in full pallets, you must always round this number up to the next whole number, meaning three pallets would be the correct order quantity.