Zoysia by the slab and pallet
Zoysia is often cut as 16 × 24 inch slabs in the South and as rolls in transition-zone areas. The calculator starts with slabs on 450 sq ft pallets and 7% extra; change any of them to match your quote.
| Lawn area | With 7% extra | 16 × 24 in slabs | 2 × 5 ft rolls | Pallets of 450 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 sq ft | 428 | 161 | 43 | 0.95 |
| 750 sq ft | 803 | 301 | 81 | 1.78 |
| 1,050 sq ft | 1,124 | 422 | 113 | 2.50 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,140 | 803 | 214 | 4.76 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 3,210 | 1,204 | 321 | 7.13 |
Worked example: a 35 × 30 ft yard is 1,050 sq ft. With 7% extra: 1,123.5 sq ft. That’s 1,123.5 ÷ 2.667 = 421.3, so 422 slabs, or 1,123.5 ÷ 450 = 2.50 pallets: two full pallets plus 84 slabs, or three full pallets.
Why zoysia sod costs more
- Slow growth. The same density that makes a zoysia lawn hard-wearing means farms wait longer between plantings and harvest.
- Variety. Many zoysias are named, patented varieties with different blade widths, colors and shade or cold tolerance, and the price follows.
- Supply. Fewer farms grow some varieties, so delivery distance can be longer.
Delivery, unloading and partial-pallet pricing add to the bill as with any sod. We don’t quote prices; compare local quotes per square foot using the sod cost calculator.
Zoysia: sod, plugs or seed?
| Method | Cost | Time to a full lawn | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sod | Highest | Immediate cover; roots in a few weeks | The usual choice for a new zoysia lawn |
| Plugs | Lower | One or more growing seasons | Weeds can fill gaps while plugs spread |
| Seed | Lowest | Slow; needs warm soil and steady water | Only some varieties come as seed |
If you go with seed, the grass seed calculator includes typical zoysia seeding rates.
Laying and caring for zoysia sod
- Lay it in late spring to midsummer if you can, while zoysia is actively growing, so it roots before cooler weather.
- Prepare the soil as for any sod: remove old grass, loosen, grade and add starter fertilizer if needed (see the fertilizer calculator).
- Lay slabs in a brick pattern, edges tight, and water each section as it goes down.
- Keep it moist for the first couple of weeks, then water less often and deeper; see watering new sod.
- Mow once it roots. Zoysia is often mowed somewhere around 1 to 2.5 inches depending on the variety; use a sharp blade, since its stiff leaves tear when the blade is dull.
- Expect it to go tan when it goes dormant in cool or dry weather. That’s normal for zoysia.
Zoysia compared
| Zoysia | Bermuda | St. Augustine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Dense, carpet-like | Fine, springy | Coarse, broad blades |
| Shade | Light shade | Full sun only | Partial shade |
| Speed of spread | Slow | Fast | Moderate |
| Traffic | Very tough once established | Tough, recovers fast | Moderate |
See the Bermuda sod calculator and St. Augustine sod calculator to price those instead.
Piece sizes, pallet sizes and varieties vary by farm. Confirm both sizes on your quote; the calculator updates when you change them.
Questions people ask
- How much zoysia sod do I need?
- Measure the lawn, add 5 to 10 percent for cutting, then divide by the piece size and the pallet size. A 1,050 sq ft lawn with 7 percent extra is about 1,124 sq ft: 422 slabs of 16 × 24 inches, or 2.5 pallets of 450 sq ft.
- Why is zoysia sod more expensive?
- Zoysia grows slowly, so it takes a farm longer to grow a field to harvest than faster grasses, and many varieties are patented. Both tend to push the price per square foot up. Your local quote is the number to use.
- Can I plant zoysia from seed instead?
- Some zoysia varieties are sold as seed, but zoysia is slow to establish that way and needs warm soil and steady moisture. Many varieties are only available as sod or plugs.
- Should I use zoysia plugs or sod?
- Plugs cost much less but can take one or more growing seasons to fill in, with weeds in the gaps meanwhile. Sod costs more but gives a full lawn right away.
- Does zoysia grow in shade?
- Zoysia tolerates light shade better than Bermuda, and some varieties are better in shade than others, but it still needs several hours of sun. Ask your farm which of their varieties suits your yard.