How to Calculate Square Yards for Grass Sod
Laying sod is, in essence, creates an instant lawn. Sod is typically ordered by the roll or the strip, so when you measure the area where you're laying sod, you should measure it in blocks. If the area is irregularly shaped, imagine a block big enough to overlay it, covering all the ragged edges. This square is what you'll actually measure, because it's better to have a little too much sod, overlapping the edges, than not quite enough. The extra can always be cut away. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Start in one corner of the area to be measured with a measuring wheel in hand. Place the wheel itself at the corner of the area where you will start sodding. Make sure the measuring wheel is zeroed out.
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Walk straight along one edge of the area to be sodded until you reach the far corner, rolling the wheel in front of you. Note the distance measured on the wheel once you reach the far corner and write this down in your notepad. Reset the wheel to zero.
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Walk straight from this corner of the area you outlined to the next one, as if you were walking along the rim of the square or block shape you imagined. Note the measurement on your notepad once you reach the next corner.
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Multiply the two figures you wrote together. The resulting number is the square footage of the area you measure. If your measuring wheel is set to measure in feet, as most of them are, divide your square footage by 9 to get the same measurement in square yards.
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Repeat the above steps, as necessary, for any other areas to be sodded.
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Tips & Warnings
If the area you're covering with sod isn't square shaped at all, you might need to imagine more than one square to cover it without a lot of wasted space--as if you were covering holes in a rug with carpet squares. Just measure each square individually; if necessary, you can always add their yardages together to figure your final total order.
You can purchase a measuring wheel from most home improvement stores, and anywhere that sells surveying or engineering equipment.
