Are sod farms lucrative?

So growing sod can be a lucrative agriculture commodity in areas with a steady local market, especially during a housing boom. Sod farming, also called turf farming, can be tough to get into, especially if you start from scratch, but it might provide an unexpected alternative crop in the right location.

Is selling grass profitable?

Although price is quite variable depending upon the operation, a sod producer can expect to sell a piece of sod for $. 85 per square yard. Thus, producing a profit of $. 22 per square yard or about $990 per acre.

What state produces the most sod?

Florida, Georgia and Alabama are three of the top five sod-producing states in the country. Along with Texas and California, production in the top five states accounts for about 45 percent of the total domestic acreage (Table 2).

Is sod a good investment?

Sod is the quickest and cleanest way to get grass fast. The answer to “Should I seed or sod?” depends on how much time you want to invest in growing a dense lush lawn. While the cost for turf is higher, the frustration and hassle sod will save you is worth the investment.

How long does it take to grow sod?

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.

How often do sod farms fertilizer?

Even after the sod is established, good diet will lead to healthy growth of your turf. Feed your lawn at least once a month with a balanced fertilizer, preferably with an analysis that is high in nitrogen, such as 16-8-4 or 21-7-14.

How long does it take sod to grow?

Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod. Be sure to set your mower to the highest setting possible in order to avoid cutting it too close to the root.

What state is number 1 in agriculture?

California ranks first in the United States for agricultural cash receipts followed by Iowa, Texas, Nebraska and Illinois.

How many sod farms are in the US?

1,465 farms
The 2017 USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Survey (NASS) places the value of the U.S. natural grass sod industry at over $1.1 billion, produced on 1,465 farms totaling 339,451 acres in 2017.

Is it better to lay sod or seed?

Sod is also the cleanest choice; not a lot of dust or mud. Seed – Though it can take longer to establish a dense lawn, over time I think seed edges out sod on quality. There are more grass types and varieties to choose from so can select a turf you know will grow well in your area.

How long does sod take to grow?

The answer is that the process takes about two weeks for shallow roots and up to six weeks to establish deep root growth. With proper preparation and care your sod will look beautiful and healthy from the start.

How much do sod farms make per acre?

Plant the best grass seeds for the season. Many sod farms can clear $6,000 of profit per acre, but only because they’re planting the best seeds for each season. Any grass seeds planted during hot weather will do poorly even if it is high sunshine grass.

Is a sod farm a good investment?

Owning a sod farm might be a profitable way to get in on a housing boom. Nick Christians is a turf grass management professor at Iowa State University. He says turf production is tough to get into when you’re starting from scratch.

How long does it take to start a sod farm?

It’s got to be uniform soil, pretty much rock-free.” If all goes well and an irrigation system is set up, Christians says a sod farm can make the first harvest in one-year. It usually takes two-years without irrigation.

How to market your sod business?

Based on your research findings, choose one of the market opportunities that is available to you and then focus virtually all of your marketing efforts toward it. It’s better to focus on a specific niche than all potential sod customers because it’s a more effective way of being able to show off your sod growing expertise.