Country Gardens’ sod farm: Closing September 20
We grow and sell 100% Nugget Kentucky Bluegrass turf and are the leading producer of sod for Alaska. We produce sod in accordance with Turfgrass Producers International specifications.
Locations:
View a map of our locations: Country Garden Farms
Our sod can be purchased at the following locations:
Country Gardens’ retail location with American Topsoil at 300 W 92nd (92nd and C St.) Open Mon-Fri 8 AM – 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM – 1 PM, closed Sunday.
The South Anchorage Farmers Market, open Saturdays 9 AM-2 Pm at the Subway/Cellular One Sports Centre at the corner of Old Seward and O’Malley Centre
Alaska Mill & Feed (Alaska Garden & Pet Supply) is open Mon-Fri 9 AM-6:30 PM, Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, at the Corner of E 1th Ave and Orca St. (1501 E 1st Ave)
Spenard Builders Supply in Eagle River is open Mon-Fri 7 AM-6 PM, Saturday 8 AM-5 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM at 17320 Northgate Blvd, Eagle River. Phone: (907) 694-3527
Small rolls:
Each small roll measures 2′ by 5′ and weighs approximately 40-50 pounds; weight varies depending on moisture. There are 50 rolls per pallet weighing about 2000-2500 pounds. Each pallet of small rolls contains approximately 500 square feet (50 rolls). You do not have to buy full pallets. We want to know the square feet you need to cover and will provide enough rolls for that area rounded to the next full roll. Pallets cost $15 each, to be refunded when returned in good condition.
Large rolls:
Large rolls are harvested as one piece of 100 square feet (2 ft. by 50 ft.) and can be cut into small pieces of almost any length. Just cut through to the center of the roll to create several small pieces. This makes even the largest rolls movable by hand or with a Bobcat or other small loader. Our sod weighs about 5 to 6 pounds per square foot depending on moisture.
To measure area for turf, multiply length by width to get square feet. For triangles, multiply length by width and divide by 2 to get square feet. Use the “as-built” survey of your lot, if you have it, for dimensions.
Sod Prices:
Small rolls: 2′ by 5′, 10 sq. ft.: $0.86 per square footLarge rolls: 2′x50′, 100 sq. ft.: $0.86 per square foot.
Orders of 4000 sq. ft. or more are quoted: please contact us.
Hay sod: 2′x50′, 100 sf, erosion control only, price by quote only. Please contact us.
FAQs
Here they are: answers to your many questions about turfgrass sod, hay, straw, and Country Gardens’ other services. Please contact us if you don’t find your question answered here.
- Help! My dog tore up my yard, I have brown circles everywhere, and I need to patch some areas.
- Our sod is perfect for patching. Simply contact us with the approximate area of sod you’ll need or stop by one of our sales locations to pick up a few rolls.
- When you get home, dig out the affected areas with a flat shovel about an inch deep with straight sides, lay the sod over the hole, cut the sod with a serrated knife to create a patch, and water your newly-placed sod generously.
- The patch should root down within 10 days to 2 weeks: keep the offending dog off the area while the roots form, and your grass should be good as new.
- If dog urine killed your grass, be sure to sprinkle some lime on the soil before you place the sod to correct the acidic pH.
- What type of turf sod do you sell?
- Country Gardens sells 100% Nugget Kentucky Bluegrass. It’s a native variety cultivated for its beautiful dark green color and hardiness in cold weather.
- We sometimes have substandard sod available at reduced prices. Just call and ask for B-grade sod if you don’t mind the occasional clover or timothy plant.
- We also have utility sod for erosion control available at reduced cost.
- How old is your sod?
- Our sod is 3 years old when you buy it: this means it has a strong, healthy root system that’s ready for a new home and won’t tear apart during harvesting or installation.
- How is sod sold?
- Sod is sold in various size rolls and priced by the square foot.
- We sell our traditional small rolls of sod that are 2′ by 5′, or 10 square feet each. Rolls weigh 40-50 lbs. each and come on pallets: each pallet with 50 rolls weighs 2000-2500 lbs. You do not have to buy a full pallet.
- Large rolls are cut 2′ wide by 50′ feet long (100 sq. ft.). Each roll weighs approx. 500 lbs. and is not shipped with a pallet. You can cut large rolls into smaller pieces for easy handling.
- When is sod available?
- Sod is generally available from June 1 through September depending on weather and demand.
- How much does sod cost?
- We sell at installed prices as well as do it yourself.
- See pricing above or call. Very large orders of 4000 square feet or more are quoted. Please call if you need a specific quote.
- How should I prepare an area for installation and then lay the sod?
- For best results, sod needs 4″ to 6″ of topsoil. Compacted soils are too hard to allow roots to penetrate, and loose soil makes an uneven lawn: a firm bed of soil that you can walk across without leaving deep footprints is usually a good firmness.
- Around walkways, driveways, or other borders, make sure to bring the surface of the soil to around 3/4″ below the border: that way, when you lay the sod, the surfaces will be level & won’t pose a tripping hazard.
- Sod is best laid in a brick pattern. Be sure not to overlap the edges of adjacent pieces: this will result in an uneven surface. Snug the pieces together firmly, and you’ll have a smooth lawn that doesn’t show seams.
- Our big rolls, 2′ by 50′, have less seams and install quickly: roll them out in the same direction each time for best results.
- Soil testing is recommended to bring pH and fertility to optimum levels. If your previous lawn struggled or died, the best practice is to find out why and correct the problem before See a fertilizer retailer or the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service for recommendations.
- Grass killed by animal urine will likely need to be replaced. Place a new piece of sod over the affected area and cut out the outline with a serrated knife or flat shovel. Dig up the affected area about 3 inches deep and replace with new soil leaving room for the new sod to match the surrounding area. Place the new sod and water to re-hydrate.
- Will the new sod match my existing lawn?
- Your lawn may have grasses other than Nugget Kentucky Bluegrass, but if you water and fertilize them alike, usually the color will be very similar: a beautiful dark green.
- Where do I order or pick up sod?
- You can order sod by calling Country Gardens at 344-2088 in Anchorage, 745-0800 in the Valley or contact us online. To load your vehicle at the site, be prepared to tie down your load. Cover sod if possible. Rolls can shift when a truck or trailer moves.
- How long can I keep sod before laying it?
- For best results, install sod immediately. Usually two or three days will not hurt. Large rolls will deteriorate more quickly.
- If you can’t install sod right away, lay it out in a single layer and keep it moist. Without soil to support it, sod can get dried out, but it’ll stay alive if watered.
- What about putting sod on a hill?
- Unroll sod onto prepared area, staggering joints. On hillsides, lay sod horizontally or crosswise, and stake with lathe (cut stakes off below surface to prevent injuries) or turf staples.
- How should I maintain my new lawn?
- Soak sod well with water when first installed but do not make soil muddy. Then water like an established lawn. When watering new sod on a hillside, do not let water run unattended or soil and sod may slide downhill.
- To mow new sod that has not rooted down, throttle down or raise mower blades to prevent pulling up the edges of the sod. Be sure to keep dogs or other digging animals off until the grass is well rooted.
- Fertilize with 16-16-16 or 22-11-11 or as recommended by soil test.
- If new sod needs to match existing bluegrass lawn, fertilize and water both established and new lawn similarly.
- Do you install sod? How much would it cost to sod my yard?
- We do installations and can quote you a price after an estimate of your particular space. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
- We love to teach people to estimate for their own landscaping projects: with a survey or scale drawing of the property, you can find the square feet that you want to cover with sod. Multiply the square feet by the price per square foot , add the cost of soil, compost, or other amendments, and add any delivery costs to get the project total. Sod installation doesn’t require any special tools: we can show you how to prepare soil and lay sod at our office, at the South Anchorage Farmers’ Market, or by phone.
- If we can’t take on your particular project (though we’d like to!) we can also recommend excavators and landscapers in your area that we trust to install our sod properly for a quality lawn and gorgeous landscape.
- My neighbor’s dandelions and clover have moved over into my yard! How do I get rid of these weeds?
- There will always be weeds, especially if weeds are not removed from existing lawn or subsoil, but numerous herbicides can control a problem if used according to their label. Of course you can pull the weeds as well!
- Check with the Cooperative Extension service to find out more about Integrated Pest Management, a great way to keep weeds out of your yard and enjoy a healthier lawn and landscape. IPM may include herbicides for those nasty weeds you can’t eradicate but also helps you improve your soil and use organic or biological controls to reduce pest problems.
- If you have more than just dandelions and clover, be sure to report any unusual or invasive plants to help keep Alaska pristine. Visit weedwar.org for more information or check with your local Extension Service agent.