Quick Intro

Intro to Sod Grass in the Alexandria Area

The climate in Alexandria, VA is typically mild, with four distinct seasons. Summers tend to be hot and humid, with temperatures averaging around 84°F (29°C), while winters are cold, with temperatures averaging around 33°F (0.6°C).

This region experiences approximately 47 inches (119 cm) of rain per year. The climate in Alexandria is favourable for cool-season turfgrass species such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue.

The mild temperatures and good amount of moisture help these grasses to thrive in the area. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda or St. Augustinegrass, may struggle to survive here due to the colder winter temperatures.

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

Alexandria Sod Cost Chart

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

BermudaKentucky BluegrassZoysiaTall Fescue
500 sq ft$165 - $315$165 - $340$265 - $440$290 - $415
1000 sq ft$340 - $640$340 - $690$540 - $890$590 - $840
1500 sq ft$515 - $965$515 - $1040$815 - $1340$890 - $1265
2000 sq ft$690 - $1290$690 - $1390$1090 - $1790$1190 - $1690
2500 sq ft$865 - $1615$865 - $1740$1365 - $2240$1490 - $2115
3000 sq ft$1040 - $1940$1040 - $2090$1640 - $2690$1790 - $2540

*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 Alexandria?

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

Because the daytime temperature averages between 34° 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

34°

december is a

bad time

to lay sod in Alexandria, VA

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 Alexandria, Virginia, 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 Alexandria, Virginia, 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 Alexandria, Virginia: Landscaping Company vs. Sod Farm

Where to Buy Sod in Alexandria - Local VA 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 Alexandria, 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 Alexandria:
  • Central Sod Farms of Maryland8801 Richmond Highway Alexandria, VA 22309 7 miles away
  • Greensward Turf Farm Inc10900 Berry Rd Waldorf, MD 20603 15 miles away
  • Greens Ward Turf Farm10900 Berry Road • Waldorf, Maryland 20603 15 miles away
  • Middleton Manor Farms13010 Legacy Farm Place Waldorf, MD 20601 20 miles away
  • Turf Center, Inc1409 Spencerville Road . Spencerville, MD 20868 21 miles away
  • Chantilly Turf Farm24219 Stone Springs Blvd. Sterling, VA 20166 26 miles away
  • Summit Hall Turf Farm21300 River Road Poolesville, MD 20837 27 miles away
  • Jamison AG & Turf16600 West Willard Rd Poolesville, MD 20837 28 miles away
  • Shady Oaks Turf Farm720 Holly Landing Road, West River, Maryland 20778 28 miles away
  • Central Sod Farms of Maryland1839 Pleasant Plains Road Annapolis MD 21409 37 miles away

What else?

Other Factors that Affect Pricing in Alexandria

Sod Supplier & Delivery Distance

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

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 Alexandria, Virginia?

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

How much is 200 square feet of sod in Alexandria?

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