Grass and Sod for St. Petersburg, FL
Discover the Best Grass and Sod in St. Pete
The right grass for a St. Pete yard depends on three things: how many hours of sun it gets, whether it has irrigation, and how much foot traffic it takes. Bayside Sod grows a variety to match each.
Five St. Pete 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
Reclaimed Water Feeds More Than 10,250 St. Pete Lawns
St. Petersburg’s reclaimed water system, the first built in the United States, has irrigated lawns since 1977. The city notes that reclaimed water carries nitrogen and phosphorus that feed turf, and it asks reclaimed customers to water no more than three days a week. On a reclaimed line, any of our irrigated grasses is an option.
Waterfront neighborhoods face a different test. Hurricane Helene’s record surge of more than six feet in Shore Acres in September 2024 left lawns there sitting in salt water. If you are replacing a lawn after a surge, remove the dead turf and check the soil first; our hurricane soil guide covers the steps.
Delivered Across St. Pete
We deliver from our farm in Bradenton to Crescent Lake, Disston Heights, Historic Kenwood, Old Northeast, Pinellas Point, Placido Bayou, Shore Acres, Snell Isle and every other St. Pete neighborhood. Delivery starts at one pallet (400 sq ft).
Order Sod for St. Pete DeliveryOnly Bahia Grows Without Permanent Irrigation
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 |
Want a Second Opinion on Your Yard?
Call the farm or send the quote form with your sun, shade, and irrigation details.
Fresh on Arrival, or We Replace It
If the quality of your sod disappoints you on arrival, we replace it or refund your money. For installation, you make the final payment only once you are satisfied. Bayside Sod is a fifth-generation family farm growing sod in Bradenton since 1987. Sod Installation in St. Pete
Shade, Sprinklers, Reclaimed Water, and Salt
What is the most common grass in St. Pete?
St. Augustine. Floratam is the most common St. Augustine in the area, best for irrigated yards with about 80 percent sun.
Which grass works on reclaimed water?
Any of our irrigated varieties can run on St. Pete’s reclaimed water, which the city describes as carrying nitrogen and phosphorus that feed lawns. The city asks reclaimed customers to water no more than three days a week. See the city’s reclaimed water page (opens in a new tab).
What grass should I use in a yard with no sprinklers?
Bahia. It needs water only until it establishes, and it rates good to excellent for drought once it roots.
Which grass grows under oak trees?
Bitterblue and ProVista St. Augustine have the best shade tolerance of our varieties. Every grass still needs at least four hours of good sunlight a day.
How do I replace a lawn damaged by storm surge?
Remove the dead turf and check the soil before new sod goes down. Read our hurricane soil guide, then call us to talk through the variety for your yard.
How much sod does a St. Pete yard need?
Measure the lawn in square feet and divide by 400, the coverage of one pallet. A 3,000 sq ft yard needs 8 pallets.
Find the Right Grass for Your St. Pete Yard
Call the farm for a recommendation, or send the quote form and we will price it with delivery.