What it is
A pallet of Floratam St. Augustine sod (450 sq ft). The original broad-bladed St. Augustine — bred at the University of Florida. Coarser blade than Raleigh or Palmetto, with chinch-bug resistance built in.
When Floratam is right
- You want classic broad-bladed St. Augustine with the recognizable "Florida lawn" look.
- Chinch bug damage has been a recurring problem on the property — Floratam has natural chinch resistance.
- Sunnier shade-mixed yards (4-5 hours direct sun) where the broad blade adapts to higher light than Raleigh.
Caveats for DFW:
- Cold tolerance is lower than Raleigh or Palmetto. Will sustain damage in 15°F freezes. Not for northern DFW microclimates.
- Coarse texture isn't to every taste — some homeowners prefer the finer Raleigh blade.
How much do I need
Standard 450 sq ft pallet:
| Lawn area | Pallets |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 3 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 6 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 12 |
Install
Same St. Augustine install — Premium Soil Mix prep, grade, water, lay tight, roll, water deep. 3-4 weeks to establish.
Care
Same as Raleigh — 3-4 inch mow height, light spring/fall fertilizer, frequent deep watering. Floratam tolerates slightly higher mowing heights than Raleigh.
Buying tips
- For southern DFW microclimates (Crowley, Burleson, Mansfield), Floratam is acceptable. For northern DFW (Denton, Argyle), choose Raleigh or Palmetto for better cold hardiness.
- Pair with Premium Soil Mix for prep.
- Don't install too late in fall — establishment before first hard freeze is critical for Floratam.
Contractor notes
Less common in DFW than Raleigh due to cold-hardiness trade-off. Pre-order required.