Grass and Sod for Sarasota, FL
Discover the Best Grass and Sod in Sarasota
Bayside Sod grows St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda, and Bahia sod on our family farm in Bradenton and delivers them free to Sarasota homeowners, one county over. Which one fits your yard depends on its sun, irrigation, and foot traffic.
Five Sarasota Yards and the Grass That Fits Each
- A sunny yard with irrigation
Floratam St. Augustine
The most common St. Augustine in the area, best with about 80 percent sun.
About Floratam St. Augustine - Shade from oaks or the house
Bitterblue or ProVista St. Augustine
Both rate moderate for shade. Bitterblue handles up to 60 percent shade; ProVista is mowed up to half as often. Any grass needs at least 4 hours of good sun.
About Bitterblue St. Augustine - No irrigation system
Bahia
Needs irrigation only to establish, then rates good to excellent for drought. Every other variety needs permanent irrigation or has it recommended.
About Bahia - Kids, dogs, and heavy traffic in full sun
Bimini Bermuda
Rated for moderate to heavy foot traffic and excellent in full sun, with the fastest establishment of our grasses.
About Bimini Bermuda - A dense, soft, fine-bladed lawn
EMPIRE or CitraZoy Zoysia
Fine to medium texture that handles sun and heat; CitraZoy has the finer blade of the two. Slower to establish than St. Augustine.
About EMPIRE Zoysia Still Deciding?
Tell us about the sun, shade, and irrigation in your yard, and we will recommend a variety.
Call (941) 702-1746
You Can Water a New Sarasota Lawn Daily for 30 Days, Restrictions or Not
Sarasota County is under the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Modified Phase III water shortage order, which the District extended on September 22, 2026 through March 31, 2027 after two dry rainy seasons left the region 15.4 inches short of normal rainfall. Established lawns water one day a week, by address. New sod is different: the order grants a 60-day establishment period, any day for the first 30 days and three days a week for the next 30, and it bars HOAs from enforcing standards that require more water. Register the variance with the District before the install; our Sarasota County water restrictions guide walks through it.
Waterfront yards face a second test. Hurricane Milton came ashore on Siesta Key on October 9, 2024, and surge left lawns on the keys and along the bayfront sitting in salt water. Replacing a surge-damaged lawn starts with removing the dead turf and checking the soil; our hurricane soil guide covers the steps.
Under a one-day schedule, the variety matters more than usual. Bahia is the only grass we grow that lives without permanent irrigation once established; the St. Augustines, EMPIRE Zoysia, and Bimini Bermuda all need a working system. Check your Sarasota watering day (opens in a new tab).
Sarasota Neighborhoods We Deliver To
- Arlington Park
- Bee Ridge
- Gulf Gate
- Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores
- Palmer Ranch
- Siesta Key
- Southgate
- The Meadows
- West of the Trail
Plus every other address in Sarasota. We also deliver to Lakewood Ranch and Venice.
Free Homeowner Delivery From Our Field to Your Sarasota Yard
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Pick the variety
Choose the grass that fits your yard. Not sure? Call and we will recommend one for your sun, shade, and irrigation.
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Count the pallets
One pallet covers 400 sq ft. Divide your square footage by 400 and round up.
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We cut and deliver free
We cut your order at the farm and truck it to Sarasota. Homeowner delivery in Sarasota is free, starting at one pallet.
Prefer a hands-off job? Our crew removes the old lawn with a sod cutter and lays the new sod, and you make the final payment only when you are satisfied. Sod Installation in Sarasota
Ready to Price Your Sarasota Order?
Tell us the variety and square footage, and we will quote the sod with free delivery to your address.
Grass Comparison Based on Key Characteristics
Bayside’s own ratings for sun, water, traffic, and upkeep.
| Variety | Sun and shade | Irrigation | Drought resistance | Foot traffic | Maintenance | Establishment time | Blade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahia | Good for full sun, limited for shade | Irrigation required only to establish | Good to excellent | Moderate to good wear, moderate foot traffic | Low | Moderate | Medium width and texture |
| Bimini Bermuda | Excellent for full sun, limited for shade | Permanent irrigation recommended | Good | Good wear, moderate to heavy foot traffic | Moderate | Moderate to fast | Fine texture, narrow, and pointed |
| Bitterblue St. Augustine | Good for full sun, moderate for shade | Permanent irrigation required | Moderate | Good wear, moderate foot traffic | Moderate | Moderate | Broad and coarse |
| CitraZoy Zoysia | Good for full sun, limited for shade | Permanent irrigation required | Moderate | Good wear, moderate foot traffic | Moderate | Moderate to slow | Fine to medium texture, narrow leaf blade |
| EMPIRE Zoysia | Good for full sun, limited for shade | Permanent irrigation required | Moderate | Good wear, moderate foot traffic | Moderate | Moderate to slow | Fine to medium texture, narrow leaf blade |
| Floratam St. Augustine | Good for full sun, limited for shade | Permanent irrigation required | Moderate | Good wear, moderate foot traffic | Moderate | Moderate | Broad and coarse |
| Fusion St. Augustine | Thrives in full sun and moderate shade | Permanent irrigation required | Moderate | Good wear, moderate foot traffic | Routine inputs, the same as any St. Augustine lawn | Moderate | Broad and coarse |
Cut at Our Farm the Day It Ships to Sarasota
Bayside Sod is a fifth-generation family farm, growing sod in Bradenton since 1987. Sarasota is the next city down the coast from our fields, so your order is cut for your delivery and spends less time on a truck than sod hauled in from central Florida.
Our guarantee: if the sod quality disappoints you on arrival, we replace it or refund your money. Installation customers make the final payment only once they are satisfied with the install.
4.9 out of 5 stars from 253 Google reviews
Water Restrictions, HOAs, Free Delivery, and Storm Surge
Can I install new sod in Sarasota during the water restrictions?
Yes. The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s one-day-per-week restrictions run through March 31, 2027, but new lawns get a 60-day establishment period: water any day for the first 30 days, then three days a week for days 31 to 60. Register the variance with the District before or during the install and keep a written watering log. Our Sarasota County water restrictions guide has the contacts and the steps.
Can my HOA stop me from watering new sod?
No. The District’s order says no HOA or other entity may enforce deed restrictions or community standards that require more water use. The protection comes from filing the variance, so register the new lawn first. See the District’s restrictions page (opens in a new tab).
Is sod delivery free in Sarasota?
Yes, for homeowners. Free delivery covers Sarasota and Bradenton, and it starts at one pallet (400 sq ft). Landscapers and larger orders get a delivered price with the quote. Call (941) 702-1746 for today’s pallet price.
What is the most common grass in Sarasota?
St. Augustine. Floratam is the most common St. Augustine in the area, best for irrigated yards with about 80 percent sun. Under Sarasota’s live oaks, Bitterblue and ProVista St. Augustine have the best shade tolerance of our varieties.
Which grass should I use if I have no sprinklers?
Bahia. It needs water only until it establishes, and it rates good to excellent for drought once it roots. Every other variety we grow needs permanent irrigation or has it recommended, which matters under a one-day-per-week schedule.
How do I replace a lawn that flooded during Hurricane Milton?
Salt water from storm surge leaves grass dead and soil salty, so remove the dead turf and check the soil before new sod goes down. Our guide on how hurricanes affect soil covers the steps, and our crew can strip the old lawn and lay the new one.
Is Turf Care available in Sarasota?
Yes, north of Clark Road. Turf Care serves Manatee and Sarasota counties from Moccasin Wallow Road in the north to Clark Road in the south, and we are expanding the area, so call to ask about addresses farther south. Plans start at $79 a month and include soil testing. See Turf Care plans.
Find the Right Grass for Your Sarasota Yard
Call the farm for a recommendation, or send the quote form and we will price it with free delivery.