Sod, also known as turfgrass, is a pre-grown layer of grass held together by its root system and a thin layer of soil. It is harvested from a farm in pieces and stacked on pallets for easy transportation and installation. Purchasing sod on a pallet is the industry standard, as it maintains the grass’s freshness and allows for efficient delivery. The primary challenge for homeowners is accurately determining how many pallets are needed to cover their specific area.
Standard Pallet Coverage Area
The amount of turfgrass on a standard pallet generally falls within a predictable range, typically covering between 400 and 500 square feet. The most frequently cited coverage for a standard pallet is 450 square feet, which serves as a reliable estimate for initial planning.
Coverage can fluctuate based on factors like grass type and regional harvesting standards. For example, some farms may cut a pallet to 400 square feet, while others may offer 500 square feet or slightly more. The density of the grass type, such as St. Augustine versus Bermuda, also influences the total stacked area. Always confirm the exact square footage with the local supplier before ordering.
How Sod is Measured and Packaged
The total square footage of a pallet is an accumulation of many individual pieces of sod, which come in two main forms: slabs or rolls. Slabs are typically rectangular pieces intended for manual handling, often measuring around 16 inches by 24 inches, providing approximately 2.67 square feet per piece. A pallet covering 450 square feet would contain around 165 slabs.
Alternatively, sod may be packaged as mini hand rolls, commonly found in sizes like 18 inches by 40 inches, covering about five square feet each. The number of rolls per pallet varies based on dimensions and total coverage; a 450-square-foot pallet holds approximately 90 mini rolls. The weight of a full pallet is a significant consideration, ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds when dry, and potentially more if the sod is wet. This substantial weight, due to soil and water content, requires careful planning for delivery and handling.
Practical Steps for Calculating Pallet Quantity
Calculating the necessary pallet quantity starts with accurately measuring the total area of the space you intend to cover. For a simple rectangular area, multiply the length by the width to determine the total square footage. If the area is irregularly shaped, divide it into smaller geometric shapes like squares, rectangles, and triangles, calculate the area of each section, and add them together.
After determining the total square footage of the project, a waste factor must be applied to account for necessary trimming and cuts. Sod pieces must be shaped around curved edges, walkways, flower beds, and other obstacles, which results in some material waste. A standard waste allowance of 5% to 10% of the total area is recommended for residential projects.
To apply the waste factor, multiply the total project square footage by 1.05 for a 5% allowance or 1.10 for a 10% allowance. Once the adjusted total square footage is calculated, divide this number by the confirmed coverage area of one pallet from your supplier. For example, if the adjusted total is 2,200 square feet and the pallet covers 450 square feet, the calculation equals 4.89. This result must always be rounded up to the next whole number, meaning five pallets would be required to ensure complete coverage.