What it is
A pallet of Palisades Zoysia sod (450 sq ft). The most popular medium-bladed Zoysia in DFW — Texas A&M-bred for partial shade, soft underfoot, and good wear tolerance.
When Palisades is the right pick
Palisades is the answer when Bermuda doesn't work:
- Lawn gets 4-6 hours of sun per day. Bermuda needs 6+ and dies in less. Zoysia survives and thrives in marginal light.
- You want a softer feel underfoot. Zoysia's denser growth pattern feels like carpet vs Bermuda's stiffer feel.
- You're tired of mowing. Zoysia grows slower than Bermuda — fewer mows per month.
- You want a "finished" lawn look — Zoysia's denser growth pattern reads more manicured than Bermuda.
- Heavy oak canopy — partial shade with dappled light all day.
Trade-offs vs Bermuda:
- Slower to establish — 3-4 weeks vs Bermuda's 2-3.
- More expensive per pallet.
- Slower lateral spread — damage repairs slower than Bermuda. Don't pick Zoysia for high-traffic kid/dog lawns.
- Goes dormant in winter — same as Bermuda, but Zoysia stays tan longer (the dormancy color lasts longer through spring).
How much do I need
Standard 450 sq ft pallet, plus 5-10% for trim:
| Lawn area | Pallets |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 3 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 6 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 12 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 23 |
Use the property measurement tool to get exact counts.
Install
Same prep pattern as Bermuda:
- Prep soil. 1-2 inches of Premium Soil Mix tilled in.
- Grade smooth.
- Water the prepped soil.
- Lay sod tight, brick-pattern stagger.
- Roll to firm soil contact.
- Water deep day 1. Daily for first 14 days (longer than Bermuda — Zoysia takes longer to root). Every other day for week 3. Then transition to normal schedule.
Zoysia establishment is 3-4 weeks for full root vs Bermuda's 2-3.
Care
- Mow height: 1.5-2.5"
- Mowing frequency: every 7-10 days in growing season (less often than Bermuda)
- Fertilizer: 21-7-14, lower nitrogen than Bermuda. One application spring, one fall.
- Water: less often than Bermuda but deeper when you do — Zoysia roots deeper
Palisades vs Empire vs Emerald
| Palisades | Empire | Emerald | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade | Medium | Fine | Finest |
| Shade tolerance | 4-5 hrs sun | 4-5 hrs sun | 4 hrs sun |
| Cost | Lower | Medium | Highest |
| Feel underfoot | Soft | Softer | Softest |
| Best for | All-purpose Zoysia | Premium feel | Manicured look |
For all-purpose Zoysia, Palisades is the cost-effective default.
Buying tips
- Order by Wednesday for weekend delivery.
- Don't over-water once established — Zoysia handles dry better than wet.
- Pair with Premium Soil Mix for prep, especially under existing tree canopy where roots compete for moisture.
Contractor notes
Net-wrapped pallets (vs Bermuda's strap pallets). Pre-order by 5-7 days for big jobs.