Dormant Sod in Florida: What Homeowners Need to Know
If you’ve ever bought sod in the winter and thought, “Why is my new grass brown?” — you’re not alone. Every year, Florida homeowners panic a little when their fresh sod doesn’t look like the bright green carpet they imagined. The good news? In most cases, nothing is wrong at all. Let’s talk about what dormant sod is, why it happens in Florida, and how to take care of it so it wakes up healthy and green. What does “dormant” actually mean? Dormant sod is simply grass that has gone into a temporary resting phase due to cooler temperatures and shorter days. The grass conserves energy by slowing growth and turning tan or brown on top — but the roots and crowns are still very much alive. Think of it like your lawn taking a winter nap, not dying. In Florida, this is most common with warm-season grasses like: St. Augustine Bermuda Zoysia Centipede Even though our winters are mild, a few cold fronts are enough to trigger dormancy. Your location within Florida can also impact whether your s...