What Makes a Healthy Lawn? Understanding Different Types of Sod
A lush, green lawn can transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, inviting area. However, choosing the right type of sod is essential to achieving long-term success. Factors such as climate, soil conditions, maintenance requirements, and personal preferences all play a role in selecting the best sod for your yard.
Let’s explore some of the top sod options and what makes them ideal for different landscapes.
Icon Zoysia®
If you live in the southern or coastal regions of the U.S., Icon Zoysia® is an excellent choice. This fine-textured, deep-green grass is known for its durability, drought resistance, and ability to withstand heat and humidity. It is commonly used in residential lawns, sports fields, and golf courses due to its dense growth and wear tolerance.
Key Features:
✔ Dense but soft texture
✔ Drought and heat-tolerant
✔ Resistant to pests and diseases
✔ Low maintenance
✔ Thrives in full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Mow regularly at 1-2 inches and fertilize seasonally. While drought-resistant, moderate watering will keep it looking its best.
Empire Turf (Zoysia)
Empire Zoysia is another excellent Zoysia variety, particularly suited for homeowners in the Southeast U.S.. It is known for its deep green color, disease resistance, and adaptability to various soil types. It has a soft but dense texture, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas.
Key Features:
✔ Ideal for high-traffic areas
✔ Deep green color with a soft, dense texture
✔ Tolerates heat, humidity, and moderate shade
✔ Requires less frequent mowing than some other grasses
Care Tips: Water deeply but infrequently, fertilize seasonally, and mow at 1.5-2.5 inches for optimal health.
Scotts® ProVista™ (St. Augustine)
If you want a low-maintenance lawn with fewer weeds,Scotts® ProVista™is an excellent option. It features a dense, slow-growing canopy, reducing the need for frequent mowing while maintaining a vibrant green appearance. This variety thrives in warm, humid climates like Florida and does well in both full sun and moderate shade.
Key Features:
✔ Naturally weed-resistant
✔ Requires less mowing than standard St. Augustine
✔ Thick, dense growth for better coverage
✔ Grows well in moderate shade and full sun
Care Tips: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth. Fertilize seasonally for best results.
CitraBlue® (St. Augustine)
For those needing drought-tolerant grass with excellent disease resistance,CitraBlue® is a standout choice. It has a unique blue-green color, offering a striking lawn aesthetic. It performs well in both residential and commercial landscapes due to its ability to thrive in humid environments.
Key Features:
✔ Distinct blue-green color
✔ Highly drought-tolerant
✔ Thrives in moderate shade and full sun
✔ Thick, lush growth for superior coverage
✔ Requires less mowing than traditional St. Augustine varieties
Care Tips: Mow at 2-3 inches and irrigate deeply when watering. Its drought tolerance means you can water less frequently.
Floratam (St. Augustine)
One of the most widely used sod varieties in the South, Floratam grows quickly and establishes itself rapidly. It is best suited for full sun and does not perform well in shaded areas. With its coarse texture and thick blades, it is a resilient choice for warm, humid climates.
Key Features:
✔ Fast-growing and quick to establish
✔ Coarse-textured, thick blades
✔ Requires full sun (not shade-tolerant)
✔ Moderate drought tolerance
✔ Resistant to pests and common diseases
Care Tips: Mow at 3-4 inches and water regularly. It requires more frequent irrigation than other St. Augustine varieties, especially during dry spells.
Seville (St. Augustine)
For lawns with a mix of sun and shade, Seville is a great option. It has a fine texture, rich green color, and better shade tolerance than Floratam. This makes it ideal for yards with partial tree coverage.
Key Features:
✔ Fine-textured with a rich green color
✔ Thrives in shade and full sun
✔ Moderate drought tolerance
✔ Works well in residential and commercial settings
Care Tips: Mow at 2-3 inches, fertilize seasonally, and dethatch occasionally to promote strong root growth.
Bahia Grass
If you need a low-maintenance, highly durable grass, Bahia Grass is a great choice. Commonly used for large properties, pastures, and roadside plantings, Bahia thrives in sandy soil and is extremely drought-tolerant. While not as lush as other sod types, it requires minimal care.
Key Features:
✔ Extremely drought-tolerant
✔ Grows well in poor, sandy soil
✔ Minimal fertilization and maintenance
✔ Light green color with a coarse texture
✔ Ideal for large properties, pastures, and erosion control
Care Tips: Mow at 3-4 inches to maintain a tidy look. This grass requires minimal watering except in extended drought conditions.
Choosing the Right Sod for Your Lawn
The best sod for your lawn depends on your climate, soil conditions, sun exposure, and maintenance preferences. Whether you need a low-maintenance, drought-resistant option like Bahia, or a lush, dense variety like Empire Zoysia or Scotts® ProVista™, selecting the right sod can make all the difference.
With the proper care and the right grass for your region, you’ll enjoy a healthy, green lawn for years to come!