Schrader Sod Farm (2024)

FAQs

How much does a sod farm make per acre? ›

If the operation yields around 41,130 ft² of sod per acre, they can obtain a profit of $5,632 per acre when the average price is $0.26 per ft². Labor costs represent 52% of total costs per acre, and the breakeven yield and price of Kentucky bluegrass is 19,468 ft², and $0.12/ft2, respectively.

Grass can be a real cash crop. Grass is also known as sod, and sodding a barren patch of land is the quickest, easiest way to achieve a lush, green lawn. So growing sod can be a lucrative agriculture commodity in areas with a steady local market, especially during a housing boom.

Sod is harvested 12-16 months after planting when the ground is not frozen (in our case, typically April through November). Sod is harvested in the morning while the temperature is low, therefore increasing the shelf life of the product.

U.S. Internal Revenue Service, 1979 Revenue Ruling 79-267: The soil that is removed with each harvesting of sod is partially replenished through the decomposition of grass roots that remain in the soil and through the addition of fertilizer and lime to the soil.

Laying sod is such a fast way to start a new turf grass lawn that it is almost no exaggeration to say it gives you an "instant lawn." Though it can be physically demanding work, the process of actually unrolling sod onto the prepared site does not take very long, But for the lawn to be successful, there is usually ...

Myth #5 Sod Farming Depletes Topsoil. Sod production is viewed by some people as a form of strip mining and a waste of a natural resource. An immediate impression is that topsoil is depleted with each harvest. The facts do not substantiate these concerns.

You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, as long as the ground is not frozen and you have adequate water for establishment and maintenance, although spring and early autumn are best. Cool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod quickly root.

American Sod Farms fertilizes every yard we install with 15-15-15 right after we lay your sod! If you want your new California sod to grow in a little bit faster, fertilize two weeks after planting with 15-15-15 (15% nitrogen, 15% phosphorus, 15% potassium).

Grass that is dead will not come back, but there are steps you can take to have a lush, green lawn again. On the other hand, dormancy is a natural protection mechanism for grass to withstand weather changes.

How do sod farms keep weeds out? ›

Metolachlor (Pennant) is a shoot-inhibiting preemergence herbicide used by sod farmers for preemergence grass control. It is typically tank mixed with simazine or atrazine. This combination provides decent weed control with little effect on grow-in.

It typically takes about 18 months after seeding for the turf to fully mature and be ready for harvest.

Sod offsets maintenance costs & saves you money

As you can probably guess, if this happens with your new lawn, not only will it take more of your time and effort to fix or start over, but this also leads to higher or unexpected maintenance costs. Herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides cost money.

The average person can comfortably lay 2,000 to 2,500 square feet in one eight-hour day. Make sure your yard is completely ready before delivery or pick-up, and order only what you can lay in one day. Sod is perishable!

Sod farms typically either grow their sod from high-quality seed blends or hybrid sprigs. Once the seeds are planted, it can take anywhere from 10 months to two years to cultivate turf before its ready for harvest. This involves an intensive regimen of watering, mowing and fertilizing.

You've got to have a good market for the sod and be able to move it. But if you have that combination, you can start growing some sod, and then develop a relationship with other sod companies or landscape people who can come out and harvest it," says Christians. "I've seen that be quite successful to get started."