Sod Installation Guide for Broward County (2026)
By EPR Landscaping · March 18, 2026
Planning a sod installation in Broward County starts with the right grass for your yard, solid site prep, and a watering plan that matches South Florida weather. This guide covers what matters for a successful install across Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, and nearby coastal cities.
We install sod for homeowners in Pompano Beach and nearby coastal cities. The notes below reflect what we see on local jobs, not national averages from climates with different soil and rainfall patterns.
Sod Types for Broward County Lawns
The grass variety you choose shapes how the lawn looks, how often you mow, and how well it handles shade, traffic, and dry spells. In Broward County, the most common choices are:
St. Augustine (Floratam). The dominant grass type in South Florida. It handles the heat, is reasonably drought-tolerant once established, and holds up to heavy rainfall. Floratam is the most popular choice for residential yards here and the one we install most often.
Zoysia. Finer texture and slower-growing than Floratam. It requires less mowing over time, which some homeowners prefer. Zoysia also has better shade tolerance than Floratam in many yards, though it can be slower to fill in after damage.
Bahia. A lower-maintenance option that works well for large open areas. It does not give the same dense, manicured look as St. Augustine or Zoysia, but for a rental property or a large side yard you do not mow for appearances, it gets the job done.
Bermuda. Common on athletic fields and commercial properties. Handles heavy foot traffic well. Requires more mowing and full sun. Less common for residential use in Broward County but viable for the right yard.
Measure Your Yard for Coverage Planning
Sod is ordered by square footage. To plan coverage, measure length times width for each section of your yard you want covered. Irregularly shaped yards, curved beds, and pool areas add cut time and waste, so share those details when you request an estimate.
Most sod farms sell in full pallets (typically 450-500 square feet per pallet). Your installer will order to minimize waste, but an unusually shaped yard can change how much material is needed.
Site Preparation
Site prep is not optional. It is what determines whether your sod takes root or dies in the first month.
Typical site prep work includes:
- Removing dead or existing grass (sod cut-out)
- Grading and leveling uneven areas
- Amending soil if the base layer is too sandy or compacted
- Pre-installation irrigation check
If your yard has existing grass that needs to come out, that work is part of the install plan. If the grade is off (you have low spots that pool water after rain, common in Broward County), grading adds time and equipment before the sod goes down.
A yard that is already cleared and graded is simpler to sod than one with years of overgrown weeds and drainage problems.
Irrigation
Newly installed sod needs water. A lot of it. In the first two weeks after installation, the sod should be watered two to three times per day until roots establish. If you do not have an irrigation system, that means running a hose manually, and in the Broward County summer heat, missing a day can kill newly laid sod before it roots.
If you are sodding a large area without an existing irrigation system, we often recommend at minimum a temporary watering plan. If you are ready to put in a sprinkler system at the same time, doing it before the sod goes down is the right sequence, and it avoids pulling new heads through established turf later.
Time of Year
Broward County's rainy season runs roughly June through October. Installing sod heading into the rainy season reduces your watering burden significantly and gives the grass ideal establishment conditions. The tradeoff is that crews are busier and scheduling may take longer.
Dry-season installs (November through March) are entirely viable but require a strict watering schedule, especially in the first two weeks. The weather is milder, which actually helps establishment, but you are responsible for the water.
There is no bad time to install sod in South Florida, but establishment failure is expensive to fix. Do not cut corners on irrigation regardless of when you do it.
What Does Sod Installation Include?
When you request an estimate from us, a full sod installation job typically covers:
- Site measurement and sod variety recommendation
- Dead grass and debris removal (if applicable, scoped separately if extensive)
- Light grading and leveling
- Sod delivery and installation, including cut-fitting around beds, edges, and obstacles
- Post-install call covering your watering schedule for the first 30 days
What it does not cover unless scoped separately: soil amendments for problem soil, full irrigation system installation, tree stump removal, major regrading.
How to Read a Sod Installation Quote
Some contractors list material and labor separately. Others give you one number. Either way, make sure your quote includes:
- Sod variety and source farm
- Square footage confirmed by measurement (not your estimate)
- Whether site prep (existing grass removal, grading) is included
- Disposal of removed material
- Warranty or replacement policy if sod fails to root
A quote that does not specify sod type is not a complete quote. Sod quality varies by farm and by how recently it was cut. Fresh-cut sod from a reputable supplier establishes faster and has a better survival rate than sod that sat on a pallet for four days.
Common Questions About Sod Installation in Broward County
How long until new sod is fully established?
With proper watering, St. Augustine sod in South Florida typically roots within 3-4 weeks. You will see the edges start to knit to the soil around week two. Full recovery to normal mowing schedule takes about 6-8 weeks. Do not mow in the first 2-3 weeks.
Can I install sod myself?
Yes. The work is physical but not technically complex. The challenge is logistics, ordering the right amount, having it delivered and installed before it dries out (sod should be laid within 24 hours of cutting), and doing the site prep correctly. For small areas under 1,000 square feet, DIY is realistic. For larger jobs, the labor time and margin for error make professional installation the better choice for most homeowners.
Will new sod match my existing lawn?
If you are patching a section of existing lawn, the new sod may look different in texture and color for 4-8 weeks. Over time it blends, especially with consistent fertilization. If matching is a priority, confirm the variety with your installer before ordering.
Does sod need fertilizer after installation?
Wait 30-60 days before applying fertilizer to newly installed sod. The root system needs to establish first. Starter fertilizer applied at installation by your contractor is fine. Fertilization too early after install stresses the new roots.
Get a Free Phone Estimate for Sod Installation in Broward County
EPR Landscaping installs sod across Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, east Fort Lauderdale, and east Boca Raton. We are a veteran-owned company based in Pompano Beach.
For a free phone estimate, call (954) 461-8466 or use the contact form. Share your approximate square footage, sod preference if you have one, and whether the yard needs grass removal or grading. We will walk you through the options that make sense for your yard and timeline.
EPR Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance serves Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, east Fort Lauderdale, and east Boca Raton.