When to Lay Sod in Texas
The Best Time to Install Grass — Month by Month
Published June 30, 2026 | By Quality Turf Farms
One of the most common questions we get at Quality Turf Farms is: "When is the best time to lay sod in Texas?" After 50+ years of growing and installing grass across the state, here's our straightforward answer — and it depends on what type of grass you're putting down.
The Short Answer
For warm-season grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine (which is what we grow in Texas), the best time to lay sod is mid-March through September. That's when the soil is warm enough for roots to establish quickly and the grass is actively growing.
But "best" and "only" are two different things. Let's break it down season by season.
Spring (March – May): The Ideal Window
Spring is the sweet spot for sod installation in Texas. Here's why:
- Soil temperatures are rising — warm-season grasses need soil temps above 65°F to establish roots, and Texas hits that by mid-March in most areas
- Natural rainfall helps — spring rains reduce your watering burden during the critical establishment period
- Full growing season ahead — your new sod has months of warm weather to develop a deep root system before winter dormancy
- Moderate temperatures — less heat stress on fresh sod compared to July or August
If you can plan ahead, April and May are the two best months to install sod in Texas. The ground is warm, the grass is hitting its growth stride, and you've got the whole summer for roots to dig in.
Summer (June – August): It Works, But Water Is Critical
Summer sod installation is absolutely doable in Texas — we install sod all summer long. But Texas heat puts extra demands on new sod:
- Water, water, water. Fresh sod in July needs watering 2-3 times per day for the first 7-10 days. The root system hasn't established yet and the grass can't pull water from deep soil.
- Install early in the day. Sod laid on a 100°F afternoon cooks on hot soil. We schedule our summer installations to start at sunrise.
- Don't let pallets sit. Summer heat can kill sod on the pallet within hours. Have your site prepped and ready before delivery arrives.
The advantage of summer installation? Bermuda and St. Augustine grow explosively in Texas heat. Once the roots take hold (usually 2-3 weeks with proper watering), the grass fills in fast.
Fall (September – November): A Great Second Window
Early fall is actually an excellent time to lay sod in Texas, and it's underrated. Here's why we like it:
- Cooler air, warm soil — the ground is still warm from summer (roots love this), but air temps are dropping so new sod needs less water
- September and early October are ideal — the grass still has 6-8 weeks of active growth before dormancy
- Less competition for installation crews — spring is our busiest season, so fall installations often get scheduled faster
Warning: Don't push it past mid-October for Bermuda grass. Bermuda goes dormant earlier than St. Augustine, and late-planted Bermuda may not have time to root before it stops growing. St. Augustine can be safely installed through late October in most of Texas.
Winter (December – February): Possible But Risky
Can you lay sod in winter in Texas? Technically, yes. Should you? In most cases, we recommend waiting for spring.
- Warm-season grasses are dormant — they won't grow new roots until spring, leaving the sod sitting on the surface for months
- A hard freeze can damage sod that hasn't rooted
- The sod will look brown and dormant all winter (this is normal, but customers don't love it)
The one exception: if you have an erosion problem or a construction deadline that can't wait, winter sod installation prevents bare soil from washing away. The sod will green up in spring once soil temps rise.
Best Time by Grass Type
| Grass Variety | Best Months | Acceptable Months |
|---|---|---|
| 419 Tifway Bermuda | April – June | March – October |
| TifGrand Bermuda | April – June | March – October |
| Raleigh St. Augustine | April – June | March – late October |
Sod Installation Checklist
No matter when you install, here are the steps for success:
- Measure your yard — use our free turf calculator to figure out how many pallets you need
- Prep the soil — remove old grass, weeds, and debris. Grade the soil so it slopes away from your foundation
- Add topsoil if needed — we deliver and install topsoil for yards that need it
- Install the same day it's delivered — fresh sod is a living product. Don't let it sit on the pallet
- Water immediately — soak the new sod within 30 minutes of installation
- Water frequently for 2 weeks — 2-3 times daily for the first week, once daily for the second week, then taper to your normal schedule
- Stay off it for 2-3 weeks — let the roots grab before you mow or walk on it
Ready to Get Started?
Quality Turf Farms grows 419 Tifway Bermuda, TifGrand Bermuda, and Raleigh St. Augustine on our farms south of Houston. We deliver across Texas — by the pallet for homeowners or by the truckload for contractors and commercial projects.
Call us at 979-345-6490 or email sales@qualityturf.com to get a quote and schedule your installation.