Your Lawn Insider

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...

One of the biggest questions we hear is: “When can I lay sod in Florida?” Here’s the short answer: you can install sod any time of year in North Florida. Thanks to our mild climate, sod is grown and available year‑round. That means if your lawn needs fixing in January, July, or anywhere in between—you’re good to go. So why talk about seasons at all? Because while sod can be installed year‑round, some times of year simply look better faster and establish more easily than others. Think of seasons as the difference between “this will work” and “this will really shine.” Let’s walk through the most popular sod types in North Florida & Southern Georgia— Floratam St. Augustine, ProVista St. Augustine, and Bimini Bermuda —and how they perform throughout the year. North Florida Lawn Conditions (Why Variety Matters) Our lawns deal with: Hot, humid summers Cooler winters (and occasional frost) Sandy soil that drains quickly A mix of sun and shade depending on trees and neighborhoods That me...

 Have you ever pulled into The Sod Lot, looked at a pallet of fresh sod, and wondered how it got there—or what it’s been through before landing in your yard? While sod may look simple on the surface, there’s actually a whole journey behind those perfectly cut rolls of grass. Let’s walk through the life cycle of sod, from its very first days on the farm to the moment it becomes a thriving part of your lawn. 🌱 Step 1: It All Starts at the Farm Every great lawn begins long before installation day—at a sod farm. Farmers start by planting grass varieties specifically selected for durability, climate compatibility, and appearance. In Florida, that might mean St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Bermuda. Once planted, the grass isn’t rushed. It takes 12 to 18 months of careful nurturing before sod is ready to harvest. During that time, it’s watered, fertilized, mowed, and closely monitored. Think of it like raising a kid—it takes patience, consistency, and a lot of care to get it right. ☀️ ...