A luscious green lawn can greatly enhance the curb appeal and enjoyment of any home. For many homeowners in warm climates, St. Augustine grass is the ideal choice to achieve a lush, verdant yard. As a warm season grass, St. Augustine thrives in hot, humid environments and can stand up to intense heat and sunlight.
When it comes to establishing a new St. Augustine lawn or overseeding an existing one, buying grass pallets provides an easy solution. Pallets of St. Augustine grass come ready to install as sod plugs or squares, making planting straightforward for DIYers. But how much do St. Augustine grass pallets cost? What size are they and how much area will they cover in your yard?
As an avid gardener who has installed St. Augustine myself, I’ve learned the ins and outs of buying pallets for the best value and results. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know before purchasing grass pallets for your own lawn. We’ll look at average prices per pallet, what’s included, tips for calculating how many you need, when to order for planting and where to buy. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about maintaining a new St. Augustine lawn started from grass pallets.
Let’s dive in and get the full scoop on buying pallets of lush, green St. Augustine grass!
How Much Does a Pallet of St. Augustine Grass Cost?
When it comes to purchasing St. Augustine grass pallets, the price per pallet can vary quite a bit depending on several factors. As someone who has installed my fair share of St. Augustine sod over the years, I’ve learned how pricing is determined and where you can find the best deals.
What Impacts the Cost of St. Augustine Grass Pallets
The main elements that affect the price you’ll pay for pallets of St. Augustine grass include:
- Location – Grass pallets shipped from farms down south tend to be more affordable than those grown locally in northern climates. Shipping costs get tacked onto the price.
- Time of year – Prices fluctuate based on season. Expect to pay more in peak spring and summer planting seasons when demand is highest. Buying during cooler fall or winter months can save you money.
- Variety – There are several cultivars of St. Augustine grass, some more drought and shade tolerant than others. Rarer varieties are typically more expensive.
- Order quantity – Buying pallets in bulk quantities can lead to discounted pricing. Pricing is often tiered based on how many pallets you purchase.
- Supplier – Big box stores, nurseries, farms, sod companies, etc. all price grass pallets differently. Compare supplier rates.
I’ve found the best value tends to come from ordering 10-20 pallets shipped directly from a local sod farm during the off-season, typically fall. The per pallet price drops once you reach a bulk order quantity.
What’s the Average Price for a St. Augustine Grass Pallet?
On average, you can expect to spend $125-$250 per pallet of St. Augustine grass, with most people paying around $175 per pallet. Again, this can rise or fall a fair bit based on the factors mentioned above.
When I priced out pallet delivery from a farm last fall, the rate came out to $160 per pallet for their standard St. Augustine variety when buying 10 pallets at once. For the more shade-tolerant Palmetto cultivar, the per pallet price jumped to $200 for a 10-pallet order.
I’ve seen big box stores charge as much as $300 per pallet during peak spring planting season – so shopping around pays off. Ordering direct from farms cuts out the middleman markups.
What is Included in a Pallet of St. Augustine Grass?
When it comes to installing a new St. Augustine lawn, proper timing is key for success. Choosing when to buy and plant grass pallets can make all the difference. Through trial and error across many lawn projects, I’ve discovered the ideal times to schedule delivery and planting.
The Best Time to Plant St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass thrives in hot, humid environments and goes dormant when temperatures drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This warm season grass grows best when daytime highs are 80-95°F.
In northern areas, the optimal months for establishing or overseeding St. Augustine lawns are during the spring or early summer after the last frost date. This allows at least 2-3 months of solid growth before cooler autumn temperatures arrive.
Down south, planting can be done year-round, but it’s best to avoid the hottest summer months when newly laid sod may struggle without ample irrigation. Late spring and early fall are ideal planting times.
No matter your climate, I don’t recommend sowing St. Augustine grass during winter dormancy or right before the summer heat peaks. Grass needs time to develop a deep root system before facing temperature extremes.
Ordering Tips to Prep Your Lawn
Prepare your lawn a few weeks before grass pallet delivery so your soil and bed are ready for installation day. Remove any existing vegetation, loosen the top 2 inches of soil, level any uneven areas, and rake thoroughly to create a smooth, debris-free bed.
Time your order so that pallets arrive 2-4 days before you plan to plant them. St. Augustine sod is perishable and you don’t want pallets baking on your lawn for long pre-install.
Have all materials like lawn edging, fertilizer and irrigation components ready to go for a streamlined installation process once the sod is delivered.
Allow 2-4 weeks from order to delivery – large farms and suppliers often deal with high springtime demand and ship out pallets on a first ordered, first delivered basis. Build in a buffer just in case.
The takeaway is to assess your climate, choose the optimal planting window, then schedule your grass pallet order accordingly. With smart preparation and timing, your St. Augustine lawn will establish quickly and thrive in the long run.
When to Buy St. Augustine Grass Pallets for Planting?
When it’s time to purchase your St. Augustine grass pallets, you’ll need to decide where to buy from. Over the years, I’ve sourced pallets from big box stores, nurseries, farms, websites and rental centers with varying results. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of each sod supplier option:
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Nurseries are a convenient option for picking up a few pallets or transporting them yourself. The grass is often sourced locally. Pros are getting to see and feel the sod quality firsthand and supporting a local business. Downsides are higher retail pricing, limited inventory and lack of bulk order discounts.
I’ve had the best luck with family-owned nurseries that stock their own farm-grown St. Augustine varieties. Avoid fly-by-night operations selling pallets out of a parking lot. Quiz them about where their sod comes from.
Online Sod Companies and Direct from Farms
Ordering St. Augustine pallets online offers wider selection, bulk order savings and convenient home delivery. Compare supplier websites for pricing, grass varieties, order minimums and delivery fees.
For the best value, order directly from local farms when possible. Eliminating distributor middlemen can lead to significant per pallet savings. Call farms directly to ask about pricing tiers and bulk delivery options.
The drawback to web and farm ordering is you can’t inspect the grass first. Read site photos and reviews carefully. Reputable sellers stand behind their sod quality.
Equipment Rental Stores
Many equipment rental companies also stock a few pallets of St. Augustine sod for convenience. Prices tend to be higher but it’s quick and easy for smaller projects.
In summary, buying directly from farms, ideally in bulk, saves the most money. For fast access or small orders, local nurseries are a fine choice. Evaluate costs, convenience and delivery fees to choose what works best for your project scale and timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Augustine Grass Pallets
When installing a new St. Augustine lawn, questions often arise on how to best care for and maintain the new grass. As someone who has established their fair share of St. Augustine sod, I’ve accumulated some key learnings around initial care and frequent concerns. Here are answers to some of the top FAQs about new St. Augustine grass from pallets.
How Long Do St. Augustine Grass Pallets Last Once Installed?
With proper initial care, a new St. Augustine lawn from grass pallets should last for years to come. Sod needs about 2-3 weeks to root firmly in place. During this time, water daily to keep the topsoil moist, not soaked. Apply a starter fertilizer 2 weeks after planting.
Once established, St. Augustine forms a dense, resilient mat. Overseed thin spots as needed. Maintain good mowing, watering, aerating and fertilizing habits. Avoid heavy traffic during the first month. Done right, your pallet-planted St. Augustine lawn will thrive for many seasons.
Can I Install St. Augustine Grass Sod Myself?
Installing St. Augustine grass pallets is definitely a DIY-friendly project. The palletized sod comes in ready-to-lay squares or plugs that make the process very straightforward.
Just prepare the soil bed, lay pallets edge-to-edge, then water thoroughly. Apply lawn edging between grass and other areas. It’s wise to have a helper to share the physical work of carrying and laying pallets. Some basic landscaping tools and supplies are needed too. But no advanced skills are required.
Should I Fertilize Newly Laid St. Augustine Sod?
Fertilizing is crucial when establishing new St. Augustine sod. One week after laying pallets, apply a balanced starter fertilizer to help the young grass roots proliferate and strengthen. Follow up with regular fertilizing every 6-8 weeks through the first growing season.
The takeaway is new St. Augustine sod needs TLC as it takes root. Daily watering, starter fertilizer and light foot traffic help ensure your new grass gets off to a vigorous, healthy start. With a bit of patience and proper care, you’ll enjoy a lush St. Augustine lawn for years to come.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
When it comes to establishing a lush St. Augustine lawn, installing grass pallets offers an easy, cost-effective solution. As we’ve covered, pallet pricing can range from $125-$250 depending on time of year, order volume, variety and supplier. Measure your space to estimate how many pallets you need. Schedule delivery 2-4 weeks prior to your ideal spring or fall planting window.
Prepare the bed and have all materials ready to make installation a breeze. Daily watering and starter fertilizer are crucial in the first weeks as the St. Augustine sod takes root. Maintain good mowing, irrigation, aeration and fertilizing habits year-round.
The main takeaways around buying St. Augustine grass pallets are: shop early fall or spring for savings, order directly from farms when possible, allow extra lead time for prep work, and properly care for new sod. With the right preparation and planting timing, your new grass pallets will thrive into a lush, resilient lawn for years of enjoyment.
I hope these insider tips from my own experience planting St. Augustine sod help you budget for your project and get your new warm season lawn off to the healthiest start possible. Let me know if you have any other questions before you begin!
