Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the South St. Paul Area

The climate in South St. Paul, MN is humid continental with cold winters and hot, muggy summers. This climate typically brings a wide variety of grasses which thrive best in different weather conditions, soil types, and moisture levels.

Some of the best grasses to grow in this region are Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and fine-leaf fescue. These grasses do well in cold climates and are able to handle both drought and high-traffic areas. In addition, they can also tolerate wet conditions, making them a great choice for South St.

Paul.

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

South St. Paul Sod Cost Chart

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

Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine Fescue
500 sq ft$185 - $360$310 - $435$160 - $335$235 - $385
1000 sq ft$360 - $710$610 - $860$310 - $660$460 - $760
1500 sq ft$535 - $1060$910 - $1285$460 - $985$685 - $1135
2000 sq ft$710 - $1410$1210 - $1710$610 - $1310$910 - $1510
2500 sq ft$885 - $1760$1510 - $2135$760 - $1635$1135 - $1885
3000 sq ft$1060 - $2110$1810 - $2560$910 - $1960$1360 - $2260

*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 South St. Paul?

As you can see in our handy chart below, november is generally not the best time to lay sod in South St. Paul.

Because the daytime temperature averages between 26° and 41° 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 november

41°

Average low in november

26°

november is a

bad time

to lay sod in South St. Paul, MN

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 South St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 South St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 South St. Paul, Minnesota: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in South St. Paul - Local MN 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 $160 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near South St. Paul, 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 South St. Paul:
  • Wagner Sod Company8150 Courthouse Blvd Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 4 miles away
  • Lake Elmo Sod FarmPO Box 216 Lake Elmo, MN. 55042 11 miles away
  • Magnuson Sod5901 Nicollet Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55419 12 miles away
  • Jirik Sod Farms20530 Blaine Ave Farmington , MN 55024 16 miles away
  • HD Sod, Inc14196 Fenway Ave N, Hugo, MN 55038 19 miles away
  • A&L Sod Superior Quality77 Main St. Lino Lakes, MN 55014 22 miles away
  • Central Turf Farms13655 Lake Drive Forest Lake, MN 55025 23 miles away
  • Hogdal Turf2662 Westlund Dr NE Ham Lake, MN 55304 26 miles away
  • Fricke & Sons Sod Inc20295 Territorial Rd Maple Grove, MN 55311 31 miles away
  • Stover's Sod and Landscape9531 181st Ave NW, Elk River, MN 55330 37 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in South St. Paul

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Minneapolis is the largest city within 100 miles of South St. Paul. This means that Minneapolis lawn companies near South St. Paul 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 South St. Paul 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 South St. Paul?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $160 to $555 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 South St. Paul, Minnesota?

Cool season grasses grow best in South St. Paul in the Fall and Spring.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in South St. Paul?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in South St. Paul, 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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