Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Derby Area

The climate in Derby, CT is humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers. Winters typically have temperatures averaging around 10 degrees cold while summer temperatures can range between 74-83 degrees Fahrenheit.

Snowfall is common during the winter season, but average precipitation in the city is fairly moderate. Due to the colder winter temperatures, Derby is best suited for cool-season grasses such as Tall Fescue.

The hot and humid summers also allow warm-season grasses such as Zoysia, Bermuda and St. Augustine to thrive. Depending on your soil type and sun exposure, perennial ryegrass, creeping red fescue, or annual ryegrass can also be used to maintain a healthy lawn.

Let's take a look at some costs for different lawn sizes.

Derby Sod Cost Chart

Listed below are average price ranges for various yard sizes and sod types

Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine Fescue
500 sq ft$165 - $340$290 - $415$140 - $315$215 - $365
1000 sq ft$340 - $690$590 - $840$290 - $640$440 - $740
1500 sq ft$515 - $1040$890 - $1265$440 - $965$665 - $1115
2000 sq ft$690 - $1390$1190 - $1690$590 - $1290$890 - $1490
2500 sq ft$865 - $1740$1490 - $2115$740 - $1615$1115 - $1865
3000 sq ft$1040 - $2090$1790 - $2540$890 - $1940$1340 - $2240

*Keep in mind these sod prices only include the sod itself - not delivery fees, sod installation, and other lawn care services.

Timing it just right

Is Now the Best Time to Lay Sod in Derby?

As you can see in our handy chart below, december is generally not the best time to lay sod in Derby.

Because the daytime temperature averages between 31° and 43° degrees fahrenheit, it will be difficult for the grass to take root and grow. Consider waiting until the weather warms up a bit.

Average high in december

43°

Average low in december

31°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Derby, CT

Click/scroll on the months above to see average temperatures and how that affects the best time to lay sod.

The Best Types for Your Area

Because of the climate in Derby, Connecticut, the best sods to grow are cool-season grasses. Below is a list of these grasses and their ballpark prices:

How much will it cost me?
lot lines graphic

Price Considerations

DIY vs. Hiring a Sod Installation Company

When it comes to sodding your new lawn in Derby, Connecticut, there are two options to consider. Each offers its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Hiring Sod Professionals

Opting for a professional lawn and landscaping service offers a complete, effortless approach. These companies provide full-service teams that handle the entire process: they source high-quality sod, prepare the site, arrange delivery to your location, and professionally install the grass, leaving you with nothing to do.

Cost: This is when you want the white glove "do it all for me" approach. You're not just paying for the product but also for professional labor, project management, and often, a service warranty. Expect to pay $300 or more per pallet of sod and double that figure for installation.

Sod Procurement options in Derby, Connecticut: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Derby - Local CT Sod Farms

Want to save a little cash? Sod farms are the way to go. This DIY approach comes with its own set of challenges, but the cost-saving potential for homeowners is significant.

Cost: Prices can drop to as low as $145 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Derby, offering you substantial savings. You'll sometimes need to go pick up the sod yourself as well.

DIY: The trade-off here is the manual labor involved in self-installation. Additionally, many sod farms operate on a minimum purchase policy, commonly starting at multiple pallets, which typically covers at least 1000 square feet.

Limited Online Presence: Sod farms typically lack advanced websites. Instead of a seamless online shopping experience, you'll probably need to reach out via phone or email to inquire about stock and costs. Don't anticipate comprehensive online support or information.

Interested in going the farm route?

Here are the 10 closest sod farms to Derby:
  • CT Sod Supplier26 Broad Street Milford, CT 06460 7 miles away
  • Delea Sod Farms696 Route 25A, Miller Place, NY, 11764 27 miles away
  • Winding Brook Turf Farms240 Griswold Rd. Wethersfield, CT 06109 33 miles away
  • DeLalio Sod Farms Inc LLC422 Edwards Avenue Calverton, NY 11933 33 miles away
  • The Long Island Sod Company240 Elwood Rd. East Northport, NY 11731 34 miles away
  • Delea Sod Farms444 Elwood Road, East Northport, NY, 11731 35 miles away
  • DeLalio Sod Farms Inc LLC1770 Feuereisen Avenue Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 37 miles away
  • Delea Sod Farms676 Deer Park Ave, Dix Hills, NY, 11746 40 miles away
  • The Sod Father248 Little East Neck Road West Babylon, New York 11704 45 miles away
  • Winding Brook Turf Farms1739 North Street Suffield, CT 06078 54 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Derby

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

New York City is the largest city within 100 miles of Derby. This means that New York City lawn companies near Derby may charge more to cover the cost to travel to your property. But at the same time you will have more options to choose from, so make sure to get multiple quotes. We've seen how prices can vary wildly!

Preparation Work

The following factors can make a huge difference in the cost and either save you or cost you big time:

  • Regrading: Need to flatten your yard? This can vary pricing wise but expect to pay roughly $0.55 per square foot extra on average.
  • Soil needs: If it's new construction or you have poor soil, you may need to add topsoil. Expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $0.25 per square foot for this.
  • Removal of existing sod: If you have existing grass that needs to go, this can cost an additional $0.45 per square foot.
  • Removal of other debris: Let's just say you have lot's of pebbles and rocks in your soil. It's going to cost extra to remove those.

Installation Labor Costs

The next thing to consider pricing wise is the cost of labor. Here are some of the factors that can influence labor costs:
  • Ease of access to your yard: Is it in a back yard that's hard to access? Up on a hill that laborers have to walk up? This will add to your cost.
  • Random objects: Best case scenario: it's wide open grass. If there are lots of trees, irrigation systems, or other objects this can add to labor cost.
  • Time of year: Since it's a seasonal business, and there's less demand for sod in Derby in the winter, you can sometimes get deals in the off-season.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly at team@sodcalculator.com

What is the cost for a pallet of sod in Derby?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $145 to $540 a pallet. Most of the time it's somewhere in the middle around $350 per pallet.

How much sod is in a pallet?

Different companies have different pallet sizes, but the most common is 500 square feet. We've also seen 400 square feet, 450 square feet and even 504 square feet. Make sure to check with the company!

What time of year do you lay sod in Derby, Connecticut?

Cool season grasses grow best in Derby in the Fall and Spring.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Derby?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Derby, you might have some luck looking on Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, or Craigslist. Otherwise you might be out of luck and have to purchase a whole pallet (400-500 sq ft).

Nearby Cities

Terrance Sowell

Writer & Editor, SodCalculator.com

Terrance is a former engineer turned sod connoisseur, who brings a unique, scientific approach to the world of landscaping. His analytical style and dedication to environmentally responsible practices make his content an invaluable resource for the eco-conscious homeowner.

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