Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Union Area

The climate in Union, MO is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers, cool winters, and sporadic but sometimes heavy precipitation year-round.

This climate is ideal for growing cool season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescue.

These grasses typically require less frequent mowing and are more drought tolerant than warm season grasses found in more tropical climates.

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

Union 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 Union?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 29° and 49° 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

49°

Average low in december

29°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Union, MO

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 Union, Missouri, 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 Union, Missouri, 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 Union, Missouri: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Union - Local MO 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 $165 per pallet when buying in bulk from sod farms near Union, 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 7 closest sod farms to Union:
  • Big River Sod Farms5599 Bolte Lane Cedar Hill, MO 63016 19 miles away
  • Keeven Brothers Sod Farms602 Laura Hill Rd Saint Peters, MO 63376 28 miles away
  • Emerald View Turf Farms1722 Highway 79 O'Fallon, MO 63366 32 miles away
  • Schaefer-Meyer Seed-sod Division 13910 Elm Point Road St. Charles, Missouri 63301 36 miles away
  • Heartland Turf FarmsP.O. Box 215 9607 Levee Rd. Columbia, IL 62236 39 miles away
  • R. Schroeder Sod Farm4720 Aubuchon Rd Hazelwood, MO 63042 40 miles away
  • SelecTurf12202 US-63 Jefferson City, MO 65101 57 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Union

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

St. Louis is the largest city within 100 miles of Union. This means that St. Louis lawn companies near Union 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 Union 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 Union?

As mentioned above, it depends on if you want the DIY or the white-glove approach, but it can range anywhere from $165 to $560 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 Union, Missouri?

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

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Union?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Union, 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

Amelia Anderson

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.

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