Turf grass, commonly known as sod, offers the fastest method to establish a vibrant, mature lawn, providing immediate ground cover and erosion control. Unlike seeding, which requires weeks for germination, purchasing pre-grown turf instantly transforms a bare landscape. The first step is knowing the various sources available to acquire this living product.
Where to Source Turf Grass
Dedicated sod farms, also called growers, are often the source for the highest quality and freshest turf. These farms harvest the sod only after an order is placed, ensuring the grass is living and viable upon delivery. Buying directly from a grower typically offers the most competitive pricing, especially for large volumes, but requires a lead time of several days for harvesting and delivery.
Local nurseries and specialized garden centers provide another reliable option, generally stocking a smaller but well-maintained selection of turf. Staff at these locations often possess specific local knowledge about which grass species perform best in the immediate area. While they offer good quality and expert advice, the per-square-foot cost is usually higher than buying wholesale from a large farm.
Big box home improvement stores offer maximum convenience, providing small quantities of sod rolls that can be purchased and transported immediately. However, the freshness and quality can be variable, as the turf may have been sitting on pallets longer. For large projects, the cost-effectiveness of a sod farm often outweighs the convenience of a retail store. Online retailers and brokers also facilitate large-scale orders, coordinating delivery from regional farms.
Understanding Turf Grass Formats
The term “turf grass” primarily refers to sod, which is a mature layer of grass and its root system held together by a thin layer of soil. Harvested into rolls or stacked on pallets, sod provides instant coverage for immediate aesthetic impact and soil stabilization. It is typically purchased and priced by the square foot or square yard, depending on the supplier.
Another format is grass plugs, which are small, individual clumps of turf, usually a few square inches in size. Plugs are cost-effective for repairing small damaged patches or for establishing certain warm-season grasses over time. They are purchased by count in trays, and while they require less initial investment than sod, they take a full growing season or longer to spread and form a continuous lawn.
Grass seed represents the third and most economical format, purchased by weight in bags. Seeding a lawn is the slowest method of establishment but offers the widest selection of grass cultivars and mixes. Unlike sod and plugs, which are pre-grown, seed must be carefully managed through germination and initial growth to prevent washout, desiccation, or weed competition.
Essential Selection Criteria
Choosing the correct grass species begins with assessing your region’s climate. Grasses are broadly categorized into cool-season types, like Kentucky Bluegrass or Fescue, which thrive in northern climates with cold winters. Warm-season types, such as Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine, prefer southern heat. Selecting a species adapted to your local temperature extremes ensures the turf will survive the dormant periods.
Sunlight exposure is another factor, as varieties have different needs for photosynthesis. Bermuda grass, for example, requires full, direct sun for most of the day and will thin out quickly in shaded areas. Conversely, fine fescues and certain cultivars of St. Augustine grass demonstrate a greater tolerance for filtered or partial shade conditions.
The expected use of the lawn dictates the required traffic tolerance of the turf. High-traffic areas, such as those used by children or pets, benefit from aggressive, durable species like Bermuda or Zoysia that can quickly recover from wear due to their dense root structures. Less aggressive grasses, like St. Augustine, are better suited for lower-traffic, purely ornamental areas.
Maintenance requirements also vary between species, impacting the long-term commitment. Cool-season grasses often require more frequent watering and higher nitrogen fertilization to maintain a deep green color during summer heat. Zoysia grass is a popular warm-season choice because it requires less water and fertilizer once established, aligning with a lower-maintenance approach.
Logistics of Ordering and Delivery
Before placing an order, accurately measure the area to be covered and add a waste factor of 5 to 10 percent to account for trimming and irregular shapes. To find the square footage, multiply the length by the width of the area. Convert the final number to the supplier’s unit of sale, such as square yards or pallets, to prevent shortages or excessive waste.
Sod is a living product that begins to deteriorate immediately after harvest, requiring a narrow window for installation. It is advisable to order sod two to five business days in advance from a farm to ensure it is cut fresh on the day of delivery or the day before. The perishable nature of sod means that most suppliers cannot guarantee an exact delivery time, only a date.
Delivery is often preferred due to the sheer weight of the material, as a single pallet can weigh between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds when wet. Trucks typically arrive equipped with a forklift to place the pallets curb-side or in an accessible driveway area. Upon delivery, begin the installation process immediately, completing the laying and initial watering within six to eight hours to prevent the roots from drying out or the grass from overheating.