Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Shelbyville Area

Shelbyville has a humid subtropical climate with long summers, mild winters and moderate rainfall spread throughout the year. This climate is ideal for a variety of turfgrasses that are naturally adapted or have been bred to thrive in the area. Popular warm-season grasses grown in Shelbyville include Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, Centipede grass and St. Augustine grass.

These grasses typically perform well in Shelbyville due to their ability to handle drought periods and extremely high temperatures. Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, are more difficult to maintain because they cannot tolerate the heat and humidity of Tennessee summers. However, some cool-season grasses are grown despite their struggles.

These include fine fescues and ryegrasses, which can do fairly well in shady locations.

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

Shelbyville Sod Cost Chart

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

BermudaKentucky BluegrassZoysiaTall Fescue
500 sq ft$185 - $335$185 - $360$285 - $460$310 - $435
1000 sq ft$360 - $660$360 - $710$560 - $910$610 - $860
1500 sq ft$535 - $985$535 - $1060$835 - $1360$910 - $1285
2000 sq ft$710 - $1310$710 - $1410$1110 - $1810$1210 - $1710
2500 sq ft$885 - $1635$885 - $1760$1385 - $2260$1510 - $2135
3000 sq ft$1060 - $1960$1060 - $2110$1660 - $2710$1810 - $2560

*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 Shelbyville?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 34° and 54° 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

54°

Average low in december

34°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Shelbyville, TN

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 Shelbyville, Tennessee, the best sods to grow are transition 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 Shelbyville, Tennessee, 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 Shelbyville, Tennessee: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Shelbyville - Local TN 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 Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville:
  • Top Turf Sod Farm727 Old Lincoln Rd, Fayetteville, TN 37334 33 miles away
  • Walker's Sod Farm Inc 515 Akers Road, McMinnville, TN 37110 36 miles away
  • New Market Sod Farm703 Buddy Williamson Rd New Market, AL 35761 37 miles away
  • McFall Sod Farms2524 Hampshire Pike Columbia, TN 38401 41 miles away
  • True Point1803 Murfreesboro Rd, Lebanon, TN 37090 46 miles away
  • Greenscape Contractors Sod Farms LLC5116 Colemont Ln. NE Huntsville, AL 35811 49 miles away
  • Nashville Sod CompanyNashville, TN 49 miles away
  • Grassroots Sod Farm4474 Cleeces Ferry Road Nashville TN 37218 54 miles away
  • Palmer's Turf Farm1109 Old York Hwy E Dunlap, TN 37327 61 miles away
  • T & R Sod Farms1500 Co Rd 489, Lexington, AL 35648 62 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Shelbyville

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

Nashville is the largest city within 100 miles of Shelbyville. This means that Nashville lawn companies near Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville?

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 Shelbyville, Tennessee?

Cool season grasses grow best in Shelbyville in the Fall and Spring. Warm season grasses grow best in the Summer.

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Shelbyville?

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