What each season means for new sod
| When | What UF/IFAS says | What it means for your lawn |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | St. Augustinegrass grows vigorously in the spring and summer. | Active growth, so the roots take hold quickest. |
| Hot, dry summer stretches | In central and north Florida, try to avoid establishment during hot, dry summer months. Sod life on pallets during summer is less than 48 hours. | Plant it as soon as it arrives and keep it wet. Without a way to water it, avoid dry months. |
| Winter | In central and north Florida, try to avoid establishment during cold winter months, especially if freezing temperatures are forecast. | If a freeze is in the forecast, wait. |
| South of the Vero Beach to Tampa line | In south Florida, year-round planting may produce a good-quality lawn. | The winter and summer cautions above are written for central and north Florida. |
Water decides more than the month does
UF/IFAS says that if you cannot water, you should avoid planting during dry months or times of drought. New sod needs water every day at first. The schedule it gives:
- For the first 7 to 10 days, several short waterings of 5 to 10 minutes through the day.
- For the next 7 to 10 days, once a day, about a quarter to a half inch of water.
- After that, two to three times a week, the same amount.
Three to four weeks after sodding, the grass should be fully established, and watering can go to as needed.
When you can mow it
UF/IFAS says not to mow new St. Augustine sod until the roots have pegged down into the soil, generally 14 to 21 days after planting. Pegged means the sod cannot be lifted without real force.
A brown lawn in a dry spell may not be dead
Before you replace a lawn that browned in a drought, check what it is. UF/IFAS says bahiagrass goes into a drought-induced dormancy and turns brown during extended dry periods, until conditions become favorable for regrowth. How the three common grasses compare.
Questions to ask about timing
- When will the sod be cut, and will it go down the day it arrives?
- Is the ground prepared before the sod is delivered?
- What watering schedule should I follow for the first month?
Sources
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH5, “St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns” (read October 21, 2026)
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH-03, “Establishing Your Florida Lawn” (read October 21, 2026)
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH6, “Bahiagrass for Florida Lawns” (read September 24, 2026)