Comparison of Sod

Poor Wear Tolerance

• Grasses with poor tolerance to wear include carpet and centipede. Carpet sod has a low maintenance level, but the drought tolerance is very poor. The sod will tolerate shade, but has a poor tolerance to cold. The mowing frequency for carpet and centipede sod is low. The mowing height for both grasses is 1 to 2 inches. Centipede sod has a fair tolerance to drought and shade conditions, but a low tolerance for cold.

Good Wear Tolerance

• Three types of sod that have a good tolerance to wear are Bahia, seashore paspalum and tall fescue. Bahia sod requires very little care, but does have a need for more frequent mowing. The height of the grass should be kept at 3 to 4 inches. Seashore paspalum and tall fescue sod have moderate needs for maintenance. Tall fescue is tolerant of shade and cold, but seashore has a poor tolerance to shade and cold. The mowing height of tall fescue is 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches, and seashore is 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Tall fescue and seashore paspalum have a fair tolerance to drought conditions, but Bahia has an excellent tolerance to drought conditions.

Fair Wear Tolerance

• Sod that has a fair tolerance to wear is St. Augustine grass. The sod has a mowing height of 2 1/2 to 4 inches, but the maintenance level is moderate. The mowing frequency is medium and the ability to tolerate drought and shade is good. St. Augustine sod does not do well in cold weather.

Excellent Wear Tolerance

• Two types of sod with excellent tolerance to wear include zoysia and Bermuda. Both types of sod are tolerant of drought and cold conditions, but Bermuda is not tolerant of shade like zoysia sod. The maintenance requirements for these sods is high, but the mowing frequency of zoysia is low, where as Bermuda is very high. The mowing height for Bermuda is 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch, but for zoysia it is 3/4 to 2 inches.