You have to consider things like the amount of sun or shade it will get, then add in things like whether children will be playing on it. The latter is messier to deal with, according to Helms, but is generally easier to lay out. These lightweight varieties are grown in the Sacramento River delta and generally are higher priced. Other factors that affect the cost include using hybrid grass seed rather than a common blend and using full, thick sod that's not harvested before it has had a chance to reach full maturity. From the grower's standpoint, the price is higher on sod harvested from fields that are tarped and fumigated every growing cycle instead of once every three to five years.
Price also rises when larger and more expensive harvesting machines are used.
This means there will be a uniform cut and the sod will be the same level when it's laid out. When lawn care becomes a hassle, one solution is to replace some of the grass with low-maintenance landscape accents. Surrender to nature shady areas where grass grows poorly. Chappell recommends mulching these areas and letting leaves and needles from nearby trees fall where they may. Plan sprays of shade-loving wildflowers to provide color.