Starting a Sod Farm Business

Starting a sod farm can be tricky, but with a little help you can pull it off. Maybe you’ve been looking for a good guide but haven’t found any. You don’t have to look any further, because this article can be the good guide that you have been looking for to start your own sod farm business.

A sod farm factory is easy to set up but can be quite expensive. However, with the necessary equipment and financing, you can start your own without any difficulties at all.

Here are the basic requirements for starting a sod farm business.

Buy or Start Your Own?

One quick way to start a sod farm business is to acquire existing businesses. This is advantageous because you would not have to go into great lengths to purchase or lease the land that you will be using to produce sod, or to purchase the equipment that you will need to have in your farm.

Land for Sod Business

The required land for sod farm production varies with how much you really want to produce. Successful sod farmers actually plant as much as 4900 acres, especially if the demand for the sod being produced is high. Much of your financing would go to this part, aside from the equipment.

Equipment needed for Sod Farming

Sod farming requires heavy equipment because you would have to harvest the sod that you plant, and it cannot be done by hand unless you want to finish only after a few days.

Here are some of the equipment that you will be needing:

  • Fertilizer spreader
  • Roller
  • Grass cutter

There are a lot of used and reconditioned equipment for sale in the Internet, as well as brand new ones. You will have to inspect carefully the condition of the machines while purchasing reconditioned or used ones.

Different Types of Sod

There are many kinds of sod that you can plant and market. You would have to find out what the demands are so you can easily dispose of your production. Sod maintenance is somewhat expensive, so you have to get the sod sold as quickly as possible.

Marketing your Sod

Sod can be marketed in different ways and methods. The first one would be sell them to a broker. The pricing for marketing with a broker is set for every acre of sod that the broker harvests. However, there are not much sod brokers nowadays than 10 years ago.

The next one would be to sell the sod to those that engage in the business that are related to sod, like landscapers, real estate developers and those in the business of beautifying other people’s lawns.

The last method would be to harvest and then install the sod yourself for your clients. This is actually the most common method preferred by sod farmers and accounts for over 70% of sod sales.

41 Comments

  • shahnaz said on August 24, 2009
    i need to have more information to find out how hard is this business, should i start it or not.
  • Kamrembu said on October 11, 2009
    Please send me more information on sod growing techniques and cultivation. Many thanks
  • Andy said on October 30, 2009
    how much land is normally required for a SOD farm? How much cash expenditures are required? What type of profit can be expected? Thanks! Andy
  • Brad Sherry said on November 30, 2009
    I offer personal on-site consulting for starting a sod farm. We started our sod farm in 1985 and know the business back and forth. We charge $300 per hour plus airfare minimum 10 hours. Thanks, Brad Sherry, Sod By Sherry Inc, www.sodbysherry.com, 405-354-7926
  • Beth Turner said on December 1, 2009
    If you are interested in purchasing an established sod farm in south Georgia at a GREAT price e-mail me and I will give you the details.
  • Beth Turner said on December 1, 2009
    e-mail is southernpss@hotmail.com for details on purchasing an established sod farm in south Georgia.
  • Augusto said on March 11, 2010
    I have a large plot of land in Africa, and I am considering a sod farm rather than other crops. There is a great demand for sod, as there is a huge construction boom in a nearby city of about 10 million inhabitants. I would like to know if you deem sod to be more advantageous (financially speaking) than other crops such as corn, carrots, etc. Does sod have a higher ROI given that there is a high demand for it? Thank you. Augusto
  • Juan said on April 17, 2010
    I have the land in central Florida, what I'm concern the most is the equipment that i will be needing. How do I go about finding maybe good used equipment.
  • lucky jaja said on December 13, 2010
    location will be determine base on the answer requested lucky jaja
  • Lola Barber said on January 22, 2011
    Hello I have a significant amount of property in the Lumberton NC area wanted to know if anyone was interested in renting for Sod Farming in that area. Please call if interested or know someone who is. Lola Barber, learnfromlola@yahoo.com, 919-899-9729
  • Kristin Klimeck said on February 24, 2011
    Could you send me more information on the equipment used for planting and how to plant the seeds for a sod farm. Thank-you
  • Tony Belete said on March 31, 2011
    Like Augusto I'm considering a sod farm in Africa because of the huge development in the area and I have good size land that I can use. But I have no idea what it takes and how much time it requires, can you pls give me a bit more info or direct me to the right places best regards. Anthony B
  • Raghunath expert adviser said on March 31, 2011

    @Tony Belete, Hi Tony Belete,

    • The most important part of starting a sod farm is the land where you plan to grow sod. It grow easily in good soil and level land. Another important factor is water source, there should be good water source. You can not always depend on rain water though.
    • The second thing is you may need a tractor for seeding, fertilizing and mowing. You will need sod harvester that will cut your sod into either squares or long rows for rolling and heavy roller for flattening the soil.

    Raghunath Natarajan
    Startup Biz Hub - Advisor (Staff)

  • Linda said on July 15, 2011
    Do you need a license to be a sod farmer? I live in Florida.
  • Curtis Stewart said on July 27, 2011
    Hello. I am just a young adult only 19 years old. I am currently in the auto industry, however I have been thinking a lot about my future, and I know that now Is the time to start taking steps in that direction if that's where I want to end up... I live in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Just wandering what kind of demand there is for sod. And how hard is it to get started and what is the best way to approach it? Any information would be greatly appreciated... Thanks
  • Harvey Ruest said on March 7, 2012
    hi i will like to have more information about how to grow sod and what king of seed in need and equipment
  • Lanre said on May 4, 2012
    I live in Tracy, California but planing to move to Nigeria in Africa to start the sod farming business very soon. I have a landed property for this project but need to know other things required to start this business. I'm equally available for training if there is any here in California. Please your advice will be highly appreciated. I can equally be contacted on 510 274-9588 ( cellphone) &or 209 833-3652. Thanks for your help. Lanre
  • Des Thorne said on May 21, 2012
    I have app 4 acres that I would like to consider for a hobby sod farm. It is in the Athabasca, Alberta area. Would it be feasible? I'm not looking to get rich and there is a very high demand for the sod.
  • Shane robinson said on June 10, 2012
    I'm interested in starting a sod business in NC. I have some questions please contact me at 561-719-3298. Email- xmob22x@aol.com
  • Stephanie evenson said on June 12, 2012
    I live in wisconsin and have about 40 acres that I would like to start a hobby sod farm on, I'm looking for additional information on the starting process.
  • Sean said on June 30, 2012
    Hi I would like to start a sod farm on my back 15 acres and was wondering what would be the best way to approach the starting of my business and the correct way to plant. I live in south NJ.
  • Dennis said on October 6, 2012
    Could you please send me a spread sheet that can help me with financial business projections or model so as to input different parameters like cost of equip, size of land in acres and time for growth so as to get optimum model for a successful business of a sod farm with minimum input. Am in Africa, Uganda, Kampala.
  • Bhalchandra S Saner said on October 15, 2012
    We want start sod lawn manf. Parivartan Green 17.bank colony, pimple Road. AMALNER 425401 Dist-Jalgaon Maharastra State INDIA
  • Preston said on November 20, 2012
    My partner and I are thinking about starting a sod farm, and would like to get a general idea of what kind of equipment we need and what type of sod for our location and overall expenses per acre. We live in the Knoxville Tn area. Thanks Preston
  • Lucian said on February 5, 2013
    Country: Botswana, Southern Africa. I need more details on sod farming, like how to calculate the pricing structure for sale, comparison on ROI with other crops. Thanks in advance
  • tom said on February 13, 2013
    I saw an ad in the paper where a company wants to use my land to harvest sod. What would be involved in allowing that company to use my land. How much should I expect monetarily? Should I hire a lawyer to ensure no trees or existing below ground water lines are affected, etc? Thanks
  • Gene said on April 20, 2013
    Hello, I'm a sod grower in So. California. I would be happy to help someone that is interested in starting a Sod Farm. 90% of my sales are Golf Courses. There is little money in Residential sales.
  • Gene said on April 20, 2013
    @Tom, make sure the sod company that wants to lease your land has at least a $2 Million limited liability insurance, thats is in your name and the sod company's name. Have all the utilities company's come out to inspect your property, it should be at no cost. As far as how much to charge for rent, depends on the size of your land. Do you have a agriculture Water well ? In California , you need to water the Sod, Do you own the water rights ? So they will have Power cost for the Well Pump, also they have to pay for water, Depending on your location, water can be costly.
  • Bob Boatman said on January 4, 2014
    I have owned and operated a small sod farm in oklahoma for 15 years. I started from scratch and trained myself I grow 1 type of grass on about 25 acres and also have a small vegetable operation and I stay quite. Busy I would be willing to sell my advice and you tube videos . I will give you some free advice today to be successful at growing quality sod you need a sandy loam type soil and a very dependable cheap source of water . Good luck and God Bless! Bob 9183601501.
  • hunter hall said on April 9, 2014
    My family owns a sod farm in lubbock Tx called lubbock turf company. In my area i have noticed i have never seen sod being advertised. Does anybody have cheap ideas for advertisement? Also my family wants me to take over and i know i would be a fool to turn away. can you give me some ideas for expanding and making more money. I'm only 19 and basically grew up sod farming so i know a decent amount. I'm just looking for ways to be more successful. Any comments would be appreciated, just message me at 806-292-6931.
  • Katchie Ikenna said on May 13, 2014
    Hi, I'm in Nigeria and am very enthusiastic about starting a Sod farm. I would be most grateful if more information can be provided about the start-up requirements, especially as it relates to financing. Can be reached via email. Thank you so much.
  • Inquiring Minds said on May 17, 2014
    Started working with a Sod farm and have been with them for a little over three years. I have been helping them with sales the whole time for 9.00 an hour. I do all there office work Computer work, find the customer's build tracking Programs and just about whatever they ask . Well I am tired of feeling used :( and basically making them rich. I am going to right out a contract and So what I need to know is what would be a normal Salary off from every pallet or sq. ft. ?
  • adam said on August 1, 2014
    Looking to start a sod farm overseas. looking to pay for counseling service. I can be reach at 614 535 6164
  • Wade said on October 16, 2014
    about how much does a person who works on a sod farm make a year on average?
  • Rocky DeJohn said on February 28, 2015
    I have been in the sod installation business for 30 yrs i have worked on sod farms about 6 yrs. i have a ton of knowledge about the sod industry. i'm 60 yrs old, and for the first in my life i am looking for a partner to buy into my company, someone i can teach and later on sell all of my company to. I can show someone how to make $3000 a week or more. if you have any questions, ask me, at no charge.
  • ZAY said on July 3, 2015
    my family has 99 acres in Elberton, ga and I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IT INTO A SOD FARM-I CAN BE REACHED AT 1-651-703-0187
  • adam said on October 21, 2015
    Rocky. Can you give me your contact detail , you can reach me at 614 535 6164
  • David Burns said on February 9, 2016
    How do you keep the grass from falling apart when you go to roll it up?
  • Rusty Clark said on April 13, 2016
    Crop prices are low for corn and soybeans here in Northwest Ohio I'm thinking on growing sod we have 1500ac I'm looking to do some to sod I'm 22 dad owns the farm I own a landscape and lawn company really would like maybe a point in the right direction I have all the farming equipment and trucks to haul if anyone knowledgeable could take a minute out of their day and give me a call at 419 551 6708 I would highly appreciate it thank you.
  • Darrell said on April 15, 2016
    hello guys about to start a sod farm give me a call Darrell-1-515-257-0832
  • Miguel C said on May 26, 2017
    @Rocky DeJohn, I would like to talk about the business also I currently work with a family business landscaping and looking into starting my own company and like my own branch off there company. 22 years old and thinking about the rest of my life. mcamacho0921@gmail.com is my email

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