Even though most people use seeds to establish a lawn, sod has been becoming increasingly popular. It is more reliable than seed and requires less care and time to establish.
In addition, the use of sod comes with additional benefits such as establishing a lawn during less than ideal seeding times, using the lawn quickly and no soil tracking or erosion.
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Using sod is the easiest and quickest way of establishing a lawn.
However, many people are often confused about how much sod they should get to cover their entire lawn. You can refer to the article here to find that out. Another thing that confuses many people is how much grass sod weighs and can they transport it on their own?
Sod comes in various shapes and sizes, such as slabs, mini hand rolls and big rolls. A typical sod slab weighs about 10 to 11 pounds, a mini hand roll weighs around 15 to 30 pounds, and a big sod roll weighs around 1,500 to 3,000 pounds.
That said, the weight of sod is not something absolute. Depending on the conditions in which sod was harvested and stored, it can change a lot. In fact, it often changes from day to day. So, let’s go ahead and look at this in a bit more detail.
1. Factors That Affect Sod Weight
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Depending on conditions, sod can weigh as little as 8 lbs. and as much as 100 lbs.
As stated earlier, the weight of sod is not something absolute. It can even vary from day to day. But what does that mean? To understand, we will have to first discuss a few factors that affect sod weight. There are three main factors that largely determine sod weight.
Sod Thickness
In general, sod is around 1/2 inch thick. However, the thickness of sod will vary depending on the seller, harvesting technique, and soil composition, which can influence sod weight.
Sod Size
The standard size of sod is 16 by 24 inches. However, this is by no means an industry standard. Suppliers prepare and supply sod in various sizes, affecting sod weight.
Sod Moisture Content
The weight of sod can vary a lot depending on its moisture content. So, if the sod has been recently cut or watered, it will weigh more than the old or relatively dry sod.
So, How Much Does Sod Weigh?
Now that you understand the factors that affect sod weight, we can discuss how much a piece, roll or pellet of sod weighs.
However, it would help if you kept in mind that the numbers here are supposed to serve only as a general guideline. You should contact the retailer or seller for exact sod size and weight information.
2. How Much Does A Roll Of Sod Weigh?
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Sod rolls come in two forms: mini hand rolls and big rolls.
If you perform a quick Google search on the weight of a sod roll, it will tell you that a typical roll of sod weighs around 30 to 40 lbs. However, that information can be a bit misleading. It is because sod rolls come in two forms, mini hand rolls and big rolls.
Compared to mini hand rolls of sod which can be installed with hands, big sod rolls can weigh between 1,500 pounds to 3,000 pounds and need special machinery for installation. Also, remember that the weight will vary greatly depending on the size.
How Much Does A Slab Of Sod Weigh?
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Simply put, a sod slab is a sheet of grass.
As the name suggests, a sod slab is different from a sod roll. You can establish a lawn using sod slabs by simply placing them next to each other and covering the entire surface of your yard. Similar to sod rolls, sod slabs come in different sizes.
So, their weight will vary. Nonetheless, a typical sod slab weighs around 11 to 14 pounds. Some large ones can weigh as much as 30 pounds, and once again, the weight will vary depending on harvesting and storage conditions.
That said, no one really buys a single piece of sod roll or sod slab. Sod is stored and sold in sod pallets. So, let’s discuss the weight of a sod pallet.
3. How Much Does A Pallet Of Sod Weigh?
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Sod pallets are commonly sold in sizes of 400, 450 or 500 sq. ft.
A sod pallet usually contains around 100 pieces of mini hand rolls or sod slabs. So, the weight of a sod pallet is usually anywhere between 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. Similarly, the weight of a pallet of sod slabs will be between 1,100 to 1,400 pounds.
However, the weight will vary depending on the number and size of sod pieces a manufacturer places in the pallet. Some suppliers sell sod pallets weighing as much as 5,000 pounds or even more in some cases.
That is why you must discuss the weight of the sod with your supplier before buying sod. It will help you make the necessary arrangements for sod transportation.
RELATED: How Many Square Feet Are In A Pallet Of Sod | How Big Is A Pallet Of Sod?
4. How To Transport Sod?
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Try to get the sod delivered as close to your lawn as possible.
Depending on the weight of the sod, you can either move sod to your home in your pickup truck or have it delivered by the supplier.
Experts usually suggest getting the sod delivered by the company itself. It is because they have experienced staff that can put on and take off sod from the vehicle without causing damage.
In either method, try to get the sod dropped as near to your lawn as possible. We recommend that you try to get the sod delivered to your home early in the day. That way, you can plant the sod on the same day it arrives.
However, if you have to settle down for an afternoon delivery or put the installation on hold for some reason, ensure that the sod is placed in a shady and cool spot. That way, it will retain moisture until its installation.
Moving Sod To Your Lawn
Once you have the sod delivered to your home, the next step is to move it to your lawn for installation. This can be done in two ways. Either you can move the pieces of sod by hand or use a wheelbarrow.
We suggest you use a wheelbarrow as sod can be heavy, and its use will make the task easier, clean and less time-consuming.
5. How To Plant Grass Sod?
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It is essential to make a proper plan before you lay sod in your yard.
Before installing sod in your yard, it is essential to find the best time to lay sod in your area. Planting sod at the wrong time of the year can be detrimental to the growing grass. If you have a big lawn, consider laying sod in different phases.
Nonetheless, here is a step-by-step guide on installing sod in your yard.
- If you have an old lawn, make sure that you remove all the grass before installing the sod. Old grass can interfere with sod installation.
- Make sure that there are no leveling or grading issues on your lawn. It can cause water drainage issues in your yard. Read this article to learn how to do it.
- Following that, test and amend your soil. Ensure it is not lacking in any essential nutrients, and the soil pH is not too high or too low.
- Next, rake the soil, install the sod and firm it with a roller.
How To Care For New Sod?
Establishing a lawn from sod is not just proper installation of the sod. There is a whole world of sod care. Here we are describing the most important things to take care of after installing sod in your yard.
- Maintain a regular watering schedule.
- Keep the sod moist during the first two weeks of installation.
- Stay off the new sod until the first mowing.
- Mow the sod approximately after 14 days of installation.
- In case of new sod, try to mow a bit high.
- After two weeks, reduce the watering frequency while increasing the watering time.
- Fertilize your sod 30 days after installation, and then follow a proper schedule.
RELATED: Why Is My New Sod Turning Brown | How To Keep New Sod From Turning Brown
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How heavy is sod?
Depending on harvesting and storage conditions as well as the moisture content, a roll of sod can weigh around 15 to 30 pounds. In contrast, a sod slab weighs around 11 to 14 pounds.
What is the average weight of a pallet of sod?
The average weight of a sod pallet varies between 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. However, it can vary with harvesting technique and moisture content. Some companies sell sod pallets that can weigh as much as 5,000 pounds.
How much sod can you lay in a day?
Installing sod is a long, tedious and tiring task. Typically, a person can lay around 2,000 to 4,000 square feet of sod daily.
How many rolls of sod are on a pallet?
Standard pallets contain anywhere between 50 to 100 pieces of sod rolls or sod slabs. However, some suppliers might pack more pieces of sod in a pallet, so you must confirm with your supplier.
How thick is a roll of sod?
Sod thickness varies depending on the grass and harvesting technique. Usually, a sod pallet is around 5/8″ thick, but the best way to know for sure is to call your supplier.
Sources for Further Reading
Establishing Lawns From – University of Nebraska–Lincoln Turfgrass Science Program
Sod Installation and Maintenance – The Mississippi State University Extension
Buying and Installing Certified Sod – Cooperative Extension, University of Delaware
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