A lush, green lawn can add curb appeal and value to your home. Choosing the right type of sod for your lawn is key to achieving a thick, durable, and visually appealing lawn. There are several major types of sod grass to consider, each with their own characteristics and ideal growing conditions. This comprehensive guide covers the most popular sod grass varieties and tips for selecting the best one for your needs.
Introduction to Sod Grass Types
Sod refers to grass that is grown and harvested in cultivated strips or rolls of soil. When properly laid, sod provides an instant lawn that starts greening and rooting immediately. The grass varieties used for sod lawns include both cool season grasses that thrive in northern regions and warm season grasses ideal for southern zones.
The major factors to weigh when choosing a sod type include:
- Climate – Matching the grass to your hardiness zone and average temperatures. Some do better in heat, others prefer cooler conditions.
- Sunlight – Selecting a variety that aligns with the sun exposure in your yard. Some tolerate shade better than others.
- Use – Considering the sod’s durability for foot traffic and pets if it will be used for play or events.
- Maintenance – Opting for a grass that fits your ideal mowing, watering, and care regimen. Some require more work than others.
Below we detail the characteristics of the 9 most common sod grass types to help you select the right one for your specific needs and landscape conditions.
Cool Season Grasses for Northern Lawns
1. Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular grasses for lawns in the North. This dark green perennial grass forms an attractively dense, soft lawn when healthy.
Climate: Thrives in cool, humid regions. Tolerates cold but not heat or drought. Prefers temperatures between 60-75°F.
Sun: Grows well in full sun to light shade.
Usage: Withstands moderate foot traffic but is less durable than some warm season grasses. Well-suited for lawns and yards.
Maintenance: Requires frequent watering and mowing. Weekly mowing in peak growing season. Prefers slightly acidic soil.
Characteristics: Fine-bladed texture, dense growth, dark green color. Spreads by underground rhizomes. Medium-fast growth rate.
2. Perennial Ryegrass
This quick-growing grass makes a lush green lawn. It is sometimes mixed with Kentucky bluegrass or fescue.
Climate: Grows well in cool northern zones. Withstands cold but not heat or drought. Prefers 50-75°F.
Sun: Tolerates full sun but does well with some shade.
Usage: Provides a dense lawn for moderate foot traffic. Good for mixing with bluegrass.
Maintenance: Requires more frequent mowing and watering compared to other cool season grasses.
Characteristics: Fine blades, rich green color. Germinates and establishes quickly. Bunch-forming growth habit.
3. Tall Fescue
A popular choice for lawns in northern and transition zones. Provides a lush lawn with good durability.
Climate: Thrives in cool humid climates. Withstands heat, drought, and cold better than other cool season grasses.
Sun: Grows well in full sun and light shade.
Usage: Withstands heavy foot traffic, play, and pets. A good all-purpose home lawn grass.
Maintenance: Requires slightly less mowing and watering than other cool season grasses.
Characteristics: Deep green color and bunching growth habit. Medium-coarse leaf texture. Slower growing than ryegrass.
Warm Season Grasses for Southern Lawns
4. Bermudagrass
A prime pick for warm southern climates. Forms a dense, weed-resistant lawn.
Climate: Prefers hot, humid climates. Thrives in high heat and sun. Goes dormant after frost.
Sun: Grows vigorously in full, direct sun. Very heat and drought tolerant.
Usage: Withstands heavy foot traffic from pets or play. Good for lawns, parks, and sports fields.
Maintenance: Requires frequent mowing and watering during peak growing seasons.
Characteristics: Fine-bladed, low growth and aggressive spreading habit. Rich green color when healthy.
5. Zoysia Grass
Zoysia makes a lush, thick lawn with good durability for warm southern zones.
Climate: Prefers hot, humid climates. Tolerates heat, humidity, and drought. Goes dormant after frost.
Sun: Thrives in full, direct sun but also tolerates light shade.
Usage: Withstands foot traffic, play, and pets when healthy. Good for lawns.
Maintenance: Requires less mowing and watering than Bermuda and other warm season grasses.
Characteristics: Fine bladed, dense mat-forming growth habit. Emerald green color when healthy. Slow spreading and slow growing.
6. St. Augustine Grass
A lush, blue-green grass perfect for lawns in warm coastal climates.
Climate: Prefers hot, humid coastal regions. Tolerates salt, heat, and humidity. Cold sensitive.
Sun: Grows well in full sun and light shade.
Usage: Withstands foot traffic. Works well for lawns near beaches and coasts.
Maintenance: Requires less water than other warm season grasses but more mowing.
Characteristics: Broad blades with a dense, spreading growth habit. Distinctive blue-green color.
7. Centipede Grass
A low maintenance turf for warmer southern lawns.
Climate: Adapted to warm, humid climates. Prefers hot temperatures. Avoid in cooler mountainous regions.
Sun: Tolerates partial shade but grows best in full sun.
Usage: Withstands moderate foot traffic. Good for low maintenance lawns.
Maintenance: Requires less mowing and watering than other warm season turf grasses.
Characteristics: Medium green color. Sparse growth habit with coarse texture. Slow spreading.
Specialty & Hybrid Sod Grass Types
Beyond the major warm and cool season grasses, some newer specialty and hybrid varieties provide unique benefits.
8. Seashore Paspalum
A warm season grass that thrives in coastal areas and tolerates saltwater flooding.
Climate: Extremely heat and salt tolerant. Ideal for tropical and coastal climates.
Sun: Prefers full sun but tolerates some shade.
Usage: Good for lawns near oceans and resistant to saltwater. Withstands some foot traffic.
Maintenance: Requires slightly less mowing and watering than other warm season grasses.
Characteristics: Distinctive blue-green color. Fine leaves with dense growth. Spreading growth habit.
9. Turf Type Tall Fescue
A specialty tall fescue bred for finer blades and improved density. Great for northern lawns.
Climate: Performs well across northern cool season zones. Withstands cold and heat better than other cool grasses.
Sun: Grows well in full sun to moderate shade.
Usage: Withstands heavy foot traffic from pets, play, events. Excellent durability.
Maintenance: Requires less water and mowing than other cool season grasses.
Characteristics: Dense growth, fine blades, rich green color, high shoot density. Excellent wear tolerance.
Choosing the Best Sod for Your Lawn
When selecting a sod type, match the grass variety to your climate and growing conditions for optimal results. Also consider your lawn’s usage, traffic, and desired maintenance level. Use this guide to pick your top 2-3 contenders best suited for your location and needs.
To determine the perfect grass for your individual lawn:
- Check your USDA Hardiness Zone – This indicates suitable cool and warm season grasses.
- Evaluate sunlight and shade – Observe which areas get full sun vs shade from trees or buildings.
- Consider your lawn’s usage – Do you need durability for pets, kids, events? Or just visual appeal?
- Review maintenance needs – Pick a grass that fits the mowing, watering, and care you can provide. Lower maintenance varieties like fescue and zoysia are good options for many homeowners.
- Ask an expert – Consult a professional landscaper for insights on grass types that thrive in your exact area and conditions.
- Order samples – Purchase small test pieces of different sod grass varieties. Observe how they perform on your property before fully sodding the lawn.
Installing and Caring for Your New Sod Lawn
Once you’ve selected the ideal grass type for your needs, it’s time to install and care for your new sod. Follow these tips for sodding success:
Preparing the Lawn Site
- Remove any existing grass, weeds, or vegetation
- Till the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches
- Level the area and fix any low spots
- Add compost or topsoil as needed to improve soil quality
- Water the site to moisten soil before laying sod
Laying the Sod
- Unroll strips of sod in a bricklike pattern with tight seams
- Tamp down sod strips to ensure solid contact with soil
- Use a lawn roller or hand tamp to flatten seams
- Water sod thoroughly after installing, keeping soil moist for 2 weeks
Caring for Newly Laid Sod
- Mow once sod roots after about 2 weeks
- Water daily to keep soil under sod moist for full root establishment
- Avoid heavy use of new sod for 3-4 weeks while it takes root
- Overseed thin areas and spots that don’t fill in properly
Ongoing Lawn Care
- Mow, water, and fertilize as needed based on your specific grass variety
- Adjust watering and mowing frequency for seasons
- Aerate and dethatch in early fall or spring to improve drainage and thickness
- Overseed to fill in bare spots
- Control weeds carefully with selective herbicides
Investing in premium quality sod and proper installation will give you a thriving lawn for years to come. With routine care tailored to your specific grass, your new sod will establish deep roots and provide a lush, resilient turf.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sod Grass Varieties
Is sod or seed better for planting a new lawn?
Sod provides an instant lawn that starts greening and growing immediately. Seeding requires more time to germinate and establish but costs less upfront. Choose sod if you want a full lawn right away without waiting weeks for seed to grow.
How long does new sod take to root?
Sod should start rooting within 10-14 days. But it takes about 60 days for sod to fully root and become strongly established in the soil beneath it.
When is the best time to lay sod?
Aim to sod in early fall when temperatures cool and more rain falls, or early spring. Avoid hot summer months or dry winter periods.
Can I install sod over existing grass or weeds?
It is not recommended. Sod needs good soil contact to root properly. Lay it over freshly tilled, bare soil for best results.
What type of soil preparation is needed before sodding?
Remove existing grass or vegetation, till soil 6-8 inches deep, level the area, and rake smooth. Moisten soil before laying sod.
How much does sod cost compared to seeding a lawn?
Sod costs $0.30-$0.80 per square foot on average, while grass seed runs $0.20-$0.50 per square foot. The labor and preparation are similar.
How can I tell if my sod is rooting properly?
Check by gently tugging on a corner of the sod. Well-rooted sod will not easily pull up. Also look for new blades growing up between seams.
When can I mow, use, and play on brand new sod?
Wait at least 10-14 days after laying sod before mowing or walking on it. Allow 3-4 weeks before heavy use of sodded areas.
What causes yellow or brown spots in a sodded lawn?
This can occur if sod dries out before rooting, from over or under-watering, improper pH levels, lack of nutrients, or disease. Adjust care as needed.
Conclusion
The key to a thriving sodded lawn is selecting the grass variety best adapted to your climate, sunlight, usage, and desired maintenance level. Proper site preparation, installation, and follow-up care are also essential for your new sod to take root and flourish. While an investment, starting with quality turfgrass sod provides instant curb appeal, usability, and the foundation for a lush lawn for years to come. With this guide’s tips for choosing and caring for the right sod, you can establish the perfect grass for your landscape.