Sod is pre-grown grass cultivated on a farm and harvested in sections with a thin layer of soil for immediate transplanting. This product is typically transported on standard wooden pallets to facilitate handling. The exact number of rolls or slabs on a pallet is not a fixed figure, as it depends on the size and type of the harvested pieces. The total coverage area of the pallet is the most consistent metric for planning a project.
Standard Pallet Coverage and Quantity
Most suppliers standardize the sod pallet based on the total area it covers, typically ranging from 400 to 500 square feet. This standardized coverage is the most useful number for determining the quantity required for a lawn installation project. The number of rolls or slabs necessary varies significantly based on how the sod is cut and packaged.
When sod is cut into common small rolls, a 500-square-foot pallet generally contains between 50 and 60 rolls. These standard rolls often measure 2 feet wide by 5 feet long, yielding 10 square feet of coverage per piece. Mini hand rolls, an alternative form, cover approximately 5 square feet per roll, meaning a 450-square-foot pallet holds about 90 of these smaller rolls.
Some sod is cut into flat, rectangular pieces called slabs or squares, particularly in warmer climates. A typical slab measures 16 inches by 24 inches, covering about 2.66 square feet per piece. A standard 450-square-foot pallet containing these slabs holds over 165 individual pieces. The total square footage remains the primary unit of sale and transport across all variations.
Factors Determining Sod Roll Count
The quantity of sod pieces per pallet is influenced by the grass characteristics and the harvesting method. Sod is cut in two primary forms: small rolls or slabs intended for manual installation, and much larger rolls that require specialized machinery. Large commercial rolls can hold 500 to 700 square feet of sod, reducing the physical roll count on a pallet to just one or two rolls.
The density and thickness of the sod variety also play a role in the final quantity stacked on a pallet. Thicker sod, or varieties with a denser root mass like certain fescues or Kentucky bluegrass, take up more volume and retain more moisture. This increased volume and weight can limit the total square footage a farm can safely stack for transport, sometimes pushing the coverage toward the lower end of the 400 square feet range.
While the most common pallet is the 40-inch by 48-inch standard, regional differences in pallet size can affect stacking logistics. Ultimately, the maximum safe weight of the stacked sod is the main constraint producers adhere to, rather than the pallet dimensions. This ensures product integrity and transport safety.
Calculating Project Needs and Logistics
To determine the number of pallets required, first accurately measure the area to be covered in square feet. Divide the total area by the average square footage of a standard pallet (typically 450 or 500 square feet). For instance, a 2,250-square-foot lawn requires approximately five pallets based on a 450-square-foot pallet size.
Add a buffer of 5% to 10% to the total square footage calculation to account for necessary cuts, shaping around obstacles, and waste. This small overage prevents the project from stalling due to insufficient material. For the 2,250-square-foot example, an additional 112 to 225 square feet should be ordered, which may mean purchasing an extra partial or full pallet.
The substantial weight of the sod is a logistical consideration, due to the moisture content in the soil and grass. A full pallet typically weighs between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds, with the weight fluctuating depending on how recently the sod was watered or if it rained. Coordinating delivery access for the heavy truck and forklift is necessary, as is having the necessary vehicle capacity if picking it up yourself. Sod is a living product that must be installed immediately upon arrival, as stacking it on the pallet causes the grass to heat up and rapidly deteriorate.