What is the difference between sand based sod and muck based sod? And why are some sod pallets 400 sf and others 500sf?

Why use sand based sod vs. muck? We are asked that question daily… On initial appearance muck is truly the better looking, but your Florida yard is sand based and sod tends to have less initial disease issues with sand based. Most sod installers and trucking companies would rather sell you muck due to the grass being lighter and easier to lay, but long term we have found sand based to be the better bet. This is also the reason for the difference in the sqare footage of a pallet of sod. Sand based sod is usually a 400sf pallet where muck based sod is usually sold as a 500 square foot pallet.