Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Aberdeen Area

Aberdeen has a humid continental climate, characterized by warm to hot summers, cold and often severe winters, and high precipitation year-round. The temperature typically ranges from a low of −15.6°F in January to a high of 81.8°F in July.

This climate can support a variety of cool-season grasses that are tolerant of both cold weather and drought. These include Avena sativa (Oatgrass), Agrostis gigantea (Redtop), Festuca ovina (Sheep Fescue) and Lolium perenne (Perennial Rye).

Perennial grasses such as these are perfect for outdoor activities year-round and will keep your roads, walkways, and yards looking lush in the summer, and bright green in the winter.

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

Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 8° and 29° 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

29°

Average low in december

8°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Aberdeen, SD

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 Aberdeen, South Dakota, 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota, 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Aberdeen - Local SD 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 Aberdeen, 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.

Unfortunately, we don't know of any sod farms near Aberdeen currently. If you know of one that should be listed, please let us know by reaching out to support@sodcalculator.com and we will add it for free.

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Aberdeen

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Because there aren't any large metropolitan cities near Aberdeen you'll need to find a local sod supplier. Usually this means you'll have fewer options to choose from, but you can get a good deal as the cost of living (and thus services) is likely lower than big cities.

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 Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen?

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 Aberdeen, South Dakota?

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

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Aberdeen?

If your goal is to get just 200 square feet of sod in Aberdeen, 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).

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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