Louisiana East Baton Rouge ParishGuide to Sod Installation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Quick Intro
Intro to Sod Grass in the Baton Rouge Area
The climate in Baton Rouge, LA is characterized as subtropical with hot and humid summers and mild winters. The temperature range is from about 100°F (38°C) in the summer to 27°F (-2°C) in the winter. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, but there is a distinct wet season from late spring to late summer.
Due to this climate, grasses that require full sun and well-draining soil thrive in Baton Rouge. These grasses include St. Augustine, Bermuda and Zoysia. These grasses require at least 8 hours of sun per day and are more heat and drought tolerant than other grass types.
As they do not do well in colder weather, they should only be planted in late spring or early summer so that they can establish a good root system before the winter months.
Let's take a look at some costs for different lawn sizes.
Baton Rouge Sod Cost Chart
Listed below are average price ranges for various yard sizes and sod types
| Bermuda | Zoysia | St. Augustine | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $165 - $315 | $265 - $440 | $240 - $440 | $265 - $390 |
| 1000 sq ft | $340 - $640 | $540 - $890 | $490 - $890 | $540 - $790 |
| 1500 sq ft | $515 - $965 | $815 - $1340 | $740 - $1340 | $815 - $1190 |
| 2000 sq ft | $690 - $1290 | $1090 - $1790 | $990 - $1790 | $1090 - $1590 |
| 2500 sq ft | $865 - $1615 | $1365 - $2240 | $1240 - $2240 | $1365 - $1990 |
| 3000 sq ft | $1040 - $1940 | $1640 - $2690 | $1490 - $2690 | $1640 - $2390 |
*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 Baton Rouge?
Because the daytime temperature averages between 51° and 69° degrees fahrenheit, the sod will be able to take root and grow, but it may take a little longer than usual. Make sure to keep it well hydrated!
Average high in december
69°Average low in december
51°december is an
to lay sod in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the best sods to grow are warm-season grasses. Below is a list of these grasses and their ballpark prices:
Price Considerations
DIY vs. Hiring a Sod Installation Company
When it comes to sodding your new lawn in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 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.
Where to Buy Sod in Baton Rouge - Local LA 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 Baton Rouge, 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 4 closest sod farms to Baton Rouge:- Belle Sod Company7244 Highway 308 S Donaldsonville, LA 70346 30 miles away
- Lafayette Sod814 SW Evangeline Thruway Suite 177 Lafayette, LA 70501 55 miles away
- Jenkins Sod23468 US-190 Robert, LA 70455 57 miles away
- Perry's Sod II IncP.O. Box 2827 Covington, LA 70434 61 miles away
What else?
Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Baton Rouge
Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance
New Orleans is the largest city within 100 miles of Baton Rouge. This means that New Orleans lawn companies near Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge?
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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Warm season grasses grow best in Baton Rouge in the Spring and early Summer. Cool season grasses grow best in the Fall and Spring.
How much is 200 square feet of sod in Baton Rouge?
If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Baton Rouge, 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
- Lafayette, LA56 miles away
- New Iberia, LA51 miles away
- Carencro, LA55 miles away
- Youngsville, LA57 miles away
- Opelousas, LA57 miles away
- Broussard, LA54 miles away
- Central, LA10 miles away
- Zachary, LA15 miles away
- Kenner, LA60 miles away
- Hammond, LA40 miles away
- Covington, LA61 miles away
- Baker, LA10 miles away
- Morgan City, LA51 miles away
- Gonzales, LA20 miles away
- Thibodaux, LA48 miles away
Writer & Editor, SodCalculator.com
Avid gardener and passionate landscaper, Amelia brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to her readers. With a background in environmental studies, she combines her love for nature with her drive to create sustainable, picturesque outdoor spaces.
