St. Augustine by the slab and pallet
The calculator is preset for St. Augustine: 16 × 24 inch slabs, 400 sq ft pallets and 7% extra. Change the pallet size if your farm stacks 450 or 500 sq ft.
| Lawn area | With 7% extra | 16 × 24 in slabs | Pallets of 400 sq ft | Pallets of 500 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 sq ft | 321 | 121 | 0.80 | 0.64 |
| 600 sq ft | 642 | 241 | 1.61 | 1.28 |
| 1,200 sq ft | 1,284 | 482 | 3.21 | 2.57 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,140 | 803 | 5.35 | 4.28 |
| 3,500 sq ft | 3,745 | 1,405 | 9.36 | 7.49 |
Worked example: a 40 × 30 ft backyard is 1,200 sq ft. With 7% extra, 1,284 sq ft. That’s 1,284 ÷ 2.667 = 481.5, so 482 slabs, or 1,284 ÷ 400 = 3.21 pallets: three full pallets plus 32 slabs (84 sq ft ÷ 2.667, rounded up).
Why St. Augustine is sold as sod
St. Augustine spreads by thick above-ground runners (stolons) and most varieties don’t set viable seed, so seed isn’t a practical option. Your choices are:
| Method | What it is | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Sod | Slabs covering the whole area | Finished lawn right away; the highest material cost |
| Plugs | Small squares planted on a grid | Cheaper; months to fill in, weeds in the gaps meanwhile |
| Sprigs | Pieces of runner planted in rows | Mostly for large areas; slowest to cover |
If you’re patching an existing St. Augustine lawn, a few slabs cut into plugs can fill small bare spots.
What drives St. Augustine sod cost
- Variety. St. Augustine comes in many varieties bred for shade, cold, drought or insect resistance, and some are patented. Premium varieties usually cost more per square foot.
- Pallet size and piece price. Compare per square foot: pallet price ÷ sq ft on the pallet.
- Delivery. Pallets are heavy; delivery and forklift unloading are often separate charges.
- Season and supply. Demand peaks in spring in many southern markets.
- Where you buy. Farm, landscape supply yard or garden center.
We don’t quote prices; use a local quote. The pallet of sod cost page shows how to compare quotes.
Laying St. Augustine slabs
- Clear old grass and weeds, loosen the top few inches of soil and grade it smooth, sloping away from the house.
- Spread a starter fertilizer if a soil test or your farm recommends it; see the fertilizer calculator.
- Start along a straight edge and lay slabs in a brick pattern, edges tight, without stretching.
- Cut around beds and curves with a sharp knife or a flat spade.
- Roll the lawn lightly and water right away.
Care for new St. Augustine
| Task | Typical guidance |
|---|---|
| Watering | Daily for the first 1–2 weeks, then taper; see watering new sod |
| First mow | Once rooted, often about 2 weeks |
| Mowing height | Usually fairly tall, often around 3–4 in for standard varieties; dwarf types lower |
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade, depending on variety |
| Watch for | Chinch bugs in hot, dry spells; fungal disease when overwatered |
Local extension guidance for your area gives mowing heights and feeding calendars for the variety you lay.
Slab and pallet sizes vary between farms. Confirm both on your quote; the calculator updates when you change them.
Questions people ask
- How much St. Augustine sod do I need?
- Measure the lawn in square feet, add 5 to 10 percent for cutting, then divide by 2.67 for 16 × 24 inch slabs and by the pallet size for pallets. A 1,200 sq ft lawn with 7 percent extra needs 1,284 sq ft: 482 slabs, or 3.21 pallets of 400 sq ft.
- How many square feet are in a pallet of St. Augustine?
- Commonly 400 to 500 sq ft. A 400 sq ft pallet of 16 × 24 inch slabs holds 150 slabs. Check your farm's pallet size, because it varies.
- How much does St. Augustine sod cost?
- It varies by variety, region and season, and delivery is often extra. Premium and newer varieties usually cost more than common types. Use a local quote; the calculator converts a pallet price to price per square foot.
- Can I grow St. Augustine from seed?
- Generally no. Most St. Augustine varieties don't produce usable seed, so lawns are started from sod, plugs or sprigs. Sod gives a finished lawn right away.
- Does St. Augustine grow in shade?
- It handles partial shade better than Bermuda and many other warm-season grasses, though it still needs several hours of sun a day. Some varieties are bred for more shade tolerance; ask your farm.