What it is
A pallet of Palmetto St. Augustine sod (450 sq ft). An improved St. Augustine variety — denser growth pattern, better cold tolerance, slightly better shade tolerance than the standard Raleigh.
When Palmetto is right
- You want St. Augustine's shade tolerance but a denser, more uniform-looking lawn.
- Marginal sun areas (2-3 hours direct) where Raleigh might struggle — Palmetto handles less light.
- Premium residential where the upcharge for an improved variety is acceptable.
- Properties prone to hard freezes — Palmetto survives DFW's occasional 15°F nights better than Raleigh.
For everyday DFW shade-lawn use, Raleigh is the cost-effective default. Palmetto is the premium upgrade.
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 as Raleigh — Premium Soil Mix prep, grade, water, lay tight, roll, water deep. 3-4 weeks to full establishment.
Care
Same as Raleigh — 3-4 inch mow height, light spring/fall fertilizer, deep frequent watering. Monitor for chinch bugs in summer and brown patch in fall.
Palmetto vs Raleigh vs CitraBlue
| Palmetto | Raleigh | CitraBlue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold tolerance | Improved | Standard | Improved |
| Disease resistance | Better | Standard | Best |
| Cost | Mid | Lower | Highest |
| Color | Medium-dark green | Medium green | Blue-green |
If brown patch has been a recurring problem on the property, CitraBlue is the upgrade. For most shade lawns, Palmetto or Raleigh is sufficient.
Buying tips
- Pre-order 5-7 days for big jobs.
- Pair with proper irrigation — St. Augustine fails fast in drought.
- For optimal pricing on big shade-lawn installs, ask about Raleigh+Palmetto mixed-pallet jobs.
Contractor notes
Slightly less broadly available than Raleigh. Pre-book for spring install season.