Sod Installation
There’s more to sod than meets the eye. Here’s a look at everything you need to know about transforming your space with beautiful, high-quality sod.
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What Even is Sod Installation ?
Sod is a sheet or layer of grass that is still attached to a thin amount of its root. Typically, it’s organized into palettes that can easily be transported and rolled onto any space. Sod installation is an especially popular option among Florida homeowners because Florida’s soil is notoriously, well, bad.
Florida soil leaves a lot to be desired: it’s not nutrient-rich, but it is full of sand, making it difficult for most plants or trees to take root and receive all of the nutrients they need in order to thrive. With that said, choosing great sod that will thrive on your property is by no means impossible.
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Doing well when surrounded by saltwater in the soil and salt in the air, which are a given since Florida is a penninsula
Able to withstand a lot of sunshine
Being fast-growing
Able to do well both with large influxes of rain (as is the case in Florida’s summertime wet season) and with prolonged periods without rain (which tends to be the case in the winter).
We’re going to take a closer look at the resilient yet beautiful types of sod that most Florida homeowners tend to turn to when making their selections.
Types of Sod
Four Varieties of Sod Tend to be the Most Successful in Florida Weather
Bermuda
Bermuda Grass Pros
It won’t require you to spend hours coaxing it back to life after a drought, nor will it give way to weeds that you have to tear out every other month.
Bermuda Grass Cons
Because this resilient grass is so fast-growing, you’ll have to mow your lawn pretty often. It’s also difficult to tame, so if you’re looking for a precisely manicured landscape, it may give you a run for your money.
Bahia
Bahia Grass Pros
Those who have Bahia grass tend to be super happy with it: it’s beautiful, super weather-resilient, and it does perfectly fine under a great deal of foot traffic and wear and tear.
Bahia Grass Cons
Despite its resilience, Bahia grass tends to sprout quite a few weeds. It’s also very fast-growing, requiring weekly mowing in order to stay under control.
St. Augustine Floratam Grass
St. Augustine Foratam Grass Pros
It’s super drought tolerant, grows incredibly fast, and does perfectly well around high salt concentrations. Bonus? Though it thrives in heat, it does just as well during the random two-week winters we see each year.
St. Augustine Foratam Grass Cons
Because this grass is so fast-growing, it’ll require pretty regular care in order to remain in ship shape.
Palmetto St. Augustine Grass
Palmetto St. Augustine Grass Pros
If you choose this grass for your landscaping there are many benefits that come along with it. As mentioned, it has a vibrant emerald green color, which is sure to increase your home’s curb appeal. It is also extremely drought tolerant. It’s able to withstand little to no water for up to two months! It is also shade friendly if your yard doesn’t have a lot of sun.
Palmetto St. Augustine Grass Cons
As always, with the pros, there are cons. For one, this grass easily attracts bugs, especially chinch bugs. It also grows quickly, so you’ll need to mow more frequently. You’ll need to be on top of your summer maintenance to keep your grass healthy.
Zoysia
Zoysia Grass Pros
A golf course favorite, Zoysia grass has a level of wear-and-tear resilience that would be tough to beat. It’s also extremely resilient against disease, drought, and sun deprivation. Speaking of which: low-maintenance is the name of the game here, so if you’re looking to spend minimal time on landscaping, this is the best choice.
Zoysia Grass Cons
Though it does super well without a ton of sun or water, this grass does tend to halt growth if temperatures dip below the 70s, so it may not be a great option for those living in the northern half of Florida.
Where Do You Start?
Know what you want. Are you passionate about gardening, or do you want to spend as little time on your landscaping as possible? Do you have the budget for a professional landscaper to keep your space perfect, or will you be doing most of the work yourself? By realistically outlining your wants and needs, you’ll know where to start.
Does it stop at sod? Is this sod installation part of a massive landscaping project, or are you just sprucing up your grass? Decide what you want out of this process to decide how to move forward.
Speak to a professional. The best advice you can get is the kind that’s given with your unique needs in mind. Speak to a landscaping expert who can help you figure out that’s best for your design wants and lifestyle needs.
How Progressive Makes a Difference
At Progressive, we’re not just experts in sod–we’re landscaping experts, too. Whether you’re just refreshing your sod or doing a large-scale landscape renovation, we’ll help you decide what’s best for your property.