Sod Varieties

Grass Profiles

Close-up view of dense green grass blades covering the ground.

Celebration Bermuda

Drought-tolerant, fine-bladed, and low-maintenance. Better suited for cooler or shaded areas than Tifway 419.

Close-up of dense, vibrant green centipede grass blades.

Centipede

Low maintenance and good for the Southeast, but has less wear resistance and not optimal for erosion control.

Green lawn in front of a yellow and stone house with a gray sidewalk in the foreground.

Palmetto St. Augustine

With over 1 billion square feet sold, Palmetto St. Augustine is the most sold patented turfgrass globally. Selected for improved color and texture. Palmetto has excellent shade, cold, frost, heat, and drought tolerance. This adaptable turfgrass is utilized across the southern United States, from the Carolinas to California, in a range of climatic and soil conditions, making it a suitable choice for both residential and commercial applications. The downside to this grass is its susceptibility to fungus in hot humid conditions where low lying breezes are missing. Spraying regularly with fungicides is a common practice. Landscapers often educate their customers on this practice and the best product to use.

Large green turf grass field with shrubs and Southeastern Turf Grass logo and phone number.

Tifway 419 Bermuda

Tifway 419 is the gold standard of turf grasses. It is used on all forms of athletic fields, polo fields, and golf courses due to its toughness in regrowing following physical insults. It is also known for its beautiful, lush green color and softness from the thin blades of grass.

The Improved Hybrid Bermuda

Tifway 419 is an enhanced hybrid bermuda produced by the renowned grass breeding facility in Tifton, Georgia. Tifway produces a fine-textured, thick hybrid bermuda grass that performs well in high-traffic areas or on sporting fields. It is more aggressive than Tifgreen and retains its color longer in the winter. Tifway thrives in full light with a mowing height of 1/4 - 1 1/2 inch. When fully grown, it tolerates dryness and heat well and recovers rapidly from mistreatment or neglect.

Front yard with freshly installed green lawn in front of a brick house with an open garage.

Emerald Zoysia

Emerald zoysia is a fine-textured hybrid zoysia grass that is one of the most visually appealing zoysia grasses. It is ideal for high-quality lawns that receive regular upkeep and attention. Emerald zoysia is less hardy than Meyer zoysia but more shade tolerant. Emerald zoysia is a dark green plant with fine leaf texture, a dense stalk canopy, and a slow growth habit. Emerald zoysia will quickly generate extra thatch if over-fertilized. Winter injury can also affect emerald zoysia. Emerald Zoysia should only be used for high-quality lawns that will be well-maintained. We highly advise just utilizing a reel mower and eliminating clippings.

Icon Zoysia

Very salt-tolerant, good for coastal areas.

Close-up view of dense, green Meyers Zoysia grass blades covering the ground.

Meyer Zoysia

Cold-hardy with a uniform appearance.

Well-maintained green lawn with various bushes and trees in the background.

Zeon Zoysia

Zeon Zoysia grass, a hybrid variety of zoysia grass, is celebrated for its luxurious appearance, resilience, and adaptability, making it a top choice for lawns, golf courses, and recreational areas. When first laid, Zeon Zoysia shows a rich, deep green hue that instantly enhances the landscape, delivering a vibrant, inviting look. Its blade texture is another hallmark; the grass exhibits soft, yet dense blades that are finely textured and plush underfoot. This combination of aesthetic appeal and sumptuous feel contributes to its growing popularity among homeowners and landscapers alike.

Immediate Post-Sod Care

Once you lay your Zeon Zoysia sod, rigorous care is essential for successful establishment. Begin with an immediate deep watering. Apply approximately 1 inch of water uniformly over the entire area within the first 24 hours to encourage root penetration and establishment. During the initial couple of weeks, maintaining consistent moisture levels is vital to facilitate strong root growth while avoiding waterlogged conditions. After the first two weeks, gradually taper off watering. While Zeon Zoysia is resistant to drought, it still requires moisture to thrive, especially during establishment. A general rule of thumb is to water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions

Ongoing Care

Proper maintenance after installation includes mowing, fertilization, and pest management. Following the initial establishment period of about 3 weeks, it is advisable to mow Zeon Zoysia to a height of around 1.5 to 2.5 inches. This not only helps maintain a manicured appearance but also encourages lateral growth, enhancing the lawn's density. Fertilization should be initiated around six to eight weeks after installation. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer designed for warm-season grasses will support strong growth and color.

Watering and Tolerances

Zeon Zoysia boasts an impressive tolerance to environmental stresses, including drought, heat, and foot traffic. However, it is essential to strike a balance; even drought-tolerant grasses require periodic watering during prolonged dry spells. Zeon's extensive root system allows it to reach moisture deeper in the soil, but regular irrigation during dry periods promotes optimal growth and health. Cold tolerance is also noteworthy, as it is more resilient than other warm-season varieties, although it can experience dormancy during frigid winter months. During these periods, the grass may turn brown, but it will green up spectacularly as temperatures rise in spring.

Empire Zoysia

A hybrid Zoysia that is soft, low-maintenance, and heat-tolerant. It handles foot traffic well and is good for erosion control.

Grass Comparison Chart

Grass
Feel & Texture
Looks & Color
Care & Watering
Fertilizing
Shade
Disease Resistance
Foot Traffic Hardiness
Erosion Control
Tiffway 419 Bermuda
Fine to medium texture; lush & dense feel.
Deep green color, very uniform appearance
Regular watering, typically 1"/'wk. Benefits from well-drained soil
Heavy nitrogen
requirements.
Fertilize every 6-8 weeks during the growing season
Low shade tolerance. Best in full sun.
Moderately resistant to
various diseases. Can get brown
patch & dollar spot
Excellent
Excellent due to its dense root system & growth habit
Celebration Bermuda
Medium to fine texture with a softer feel than other Bermuda varieties
Deep blue-green
Needs approx. 1-1.5"/ wk. in optimal conditions
Fertilize every 6 wks during growing
season
Limited shade tolerance; best
suited for sunny areas
Moderate resistance to
diseases, yet can struggle
against fungal infections
in humid conditions
Fairly durable under foot
traffic; not as robust as Tiffway & TifTuf
Effective due to its dense growth
Centipede Grass
Coarse texture w/ a unique, soft feel that many find appealing
Light green
Low maintenance; water deeply &
infrequently
Requires minimal
fertilization, typically only
1-2 times/year
Moderate shade tolerance allows it to grow in partially
shaded areas
Moderate resistance to diseases, but can get centipede grass decline if not properly cared for.
Moderate; not as resilient under heavy
traffic as
Bermuda grasses
Fair due to its
broad root system. Not as good as the Bermuda
St. Augustine Grass
Thick blades
Rich to dark
green, sometimes w/ a bluish hue.
Requires frequent watering; does not tolerate drought well
3-4 times/year
Good shade tolerance, thriving in partially shaded
areas
Susceptible to several diseases, including brown
patch and take-all patch
Moderate; can wear down under
heavy foot traffic
Moderately effective
Emerald Zoysia
Fine to medium texture that feels soft, lush, and thick
Deep, rich emerald green appearance w/ excellent density.
Moderate watering & care; tolerates drought once established
Needs regular fertilization, typically 2 times/ year
Good shade tolerance; suitable for lawns w/
moderate shading
Generally resistant to many common diseases
Moderate; can wear down under
heavy foot traffic
Effective due to its dense growth & deep root
system
Zeon Zoysia
Very fine-leafed & plush; highly aesthetic
Deep, rich green tone. Fine & soft texture
~1in./wk. either through rainfall or irrigation. Avoid overwatering.
Lighter fertilization
compared to other grass types like Bermuda grasses
Good growth potential in
partial shade
Generally resistant to
many common diseases
Good for casual foot traffic
Good for erosion control
Icon Zoysia
More upright growth habit
& medium to fine texture
Dark green w/ a uniform appearance
Moderate needs; slightly more
maintenance than other Zoysia
varieties.
Lighter fertilization
compared to other grasses. Apply in active growing season & avoid in late fall
Tolerates shade well
Good resistance; can be affected by environmental stresses like excessive heat & drought conditions
Tolerates moderate foot traffic
Good for erosion control
Empire Zoysia
Soft to the touch;
comfortable for walking on & playing.
Lush, dark green color
Relatively low-maintenance grass
that tolerates heat
Fertilize w/ a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NP-K) ratio suitable for
Zoysia grass, such as 16-4-8
Can tolerate some shade
Can be susceptible to certain pests & diseases, particularly Zoysia patch (a fungal disease)
in damp, humid
conditions
Very good w/ foot traffic. So bring on the kids & dogs
Good for erosion control because of the dense grass growth, root system & hardiness to foot traffic
Meyers Zoysia
Thick carpet-like appearance
Lush, dark green color
Moderately drought tolerant once established; requires consistent watering during initial establishment period. Aim to provide about 1" of water/wk., either through rainfall or irrigation.
Essential for promoting healthy growth. Balanced fertilizer should be applied in early spring when the grass begins to green up
Moderate shade tolerance, suitable for areas w/ partial to moderate shade
This variety displays good
resistance to common
turfgrass diseases, such as brown patch & dollar spot
Tolerates moderate
foot traffic
Good for erosion control
Learn more about grass comparisons and temperature zones