Sod and Grass Varieties in Birmingham, AL
Picking grass for your yard should not feel like a research project. But stand in front of four pallets of sod, and they all look about the same: green, heavy, and full of promises.
The difference shows up later. In August, when one variety is still holding color, and another has gone crispy along the driveway, or in that shady corner under the oak where nothing wants to grow.
South Dallas Turf and Supply has been growing sod in central Alabama for more than 30 years. Our sod varieties are designed to withstand various weather conditions and require minimal maintenance, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful yard without the hassle of constant upkeep.
Which Grass Fits Your Yard? Start Here
Sunlight determines most of it. Find the row that sounds like your yard, then read that variety below.
| If your yard | Go with | Price per pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Bakes in full sun and takes a beating from kids and dogs | Bermuda | $285 |
| Gets mixed sun and shade, and you would rather mow less | Zoysia | $396 |
| Gets full sun on a tight maintenance budget | Centipede | $270 |
| Sits under mature trees with four hours of sun or less | St. Augustine | $330 |
If the front yard bakes and the back sits under trees, running two varieties is completely normal. Plenty of Birmingham homeowners do exactly that.
Our Sod and Grass Varieties
We keep four grass families in the field. Between them, they cover just about every yard in the Birmingham area.
Bermuda Sod: Tifway 419 and TifTuf
Bermuda is the workhorse. If your yard gets six or more hours of direct sun and your kids treat it like a soccer field, this is your grass.
Tifway 419 is dense, fine-bladed, and quick to recover from damage. Ours is grown on fumigated sandy soil and certified by the Southern Seed Certification Association. TifTuf came out of two decades of research at the University of Georgia and holds its color on noticeably less water.
Best for: full sun, high traffic, and homeowners who want a thick, uniform lawn.
Zoysia Sod: Meyer Z-52, Emerald and Zeon
Zoysia is the plush one. It grows slowly, which means fewer trips behind the mower, and it forms a mat dense enough to crowd out most weeds on its own.
- Meyer Z-52 has a medium-coarse blade and the best cold tolerance of the three.
- Emerald is fine-textured, deep green, and handles shade well.
- Zeon is fine-bladed with strong drought and disease resistance.
Best for: mixed sun and shade, low-maintenance yards, and anyone chasing that golf course look.
Centipede Sod
Centipede earned its nickname, “lazy man’s grass,” honestly. It grows low, spreads slowly, and asks for very little fertilizer. In the sandy, acidic soil common around here, it thrives where other grasses sulk.
It does want sun, at least six hours of it, and it is not the pick for a yard that takes a daily beating.
Best for: full sun to light shade, tight maintenance budgets, and homeowners who would rather not think about the lawn every weekend.
St. Augustine Sod
St. Augustine has thick blades, deep color, and the best shade tolerance of anything we grow. Four hours of sun is enough. Under mature trees where Bermuda quits, St. Augustine fills in. It also establishes quickly, so it is a smart pick when you want the yard to look finished fast.
Best for: shaded yards, heavy tree cover, and fast coverage.
Torn between these two? Our [Centipede vs. St. Augustine comparison] breaks down blade texture, shade tolerance, and upkeep side by side.
Sod Prices in Birmingham: Per Piece, Half Pallet and Full Pallet
No minimum order and no runaround on price. Here is what sod costs at our yard today.
| Variety | Per piece | Half pallet | Full pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda (Tifway 419, TifTuf) | $3.15 | $174 | $285 |
| Centipede | $3.15 | $175 | $270 |
| St. Augustine | $3.87 | $214 | $330 |
| Zoysia (Meyer Z-52, Emerald, Zeon) | $4.64 | $257 | $396 |
Patching a bare strip along the fence takes about 10 pieces, and that order gets cut and loaded the same way a ten-pallet order does. Call ahead with your square footage, and we will have it waiting when you pull in.
Why Warm-Season Grass Is the Only Real Option Here
Alabama sits in what turf people call the transition zone, and Birmingham lands firmly on the warm side of it. Hot, humid summers. Mild winters. Clay soil that holds water in spring and bakes hard by July.
Cool-season grasses like fescue green up beautifully in April, then thin out and give up once the heat settles in. Warm-season grasses do the opposite. They love the heat, spread on their own through runners, and go dormant and tan in winter before coming back thicker in spring. Every variety we grow is warm-season, and that’s no accident.
Grown Here, Cut Fresh, Ready When You Are
Come by the yard, tell us about your project, and leave with grass that actually fits it. Our team will walk you through sun, soil, watering, and pricing before you spend a dollar.
Sod and Grass Variety FAQs
There is no single winner. Bermuda takes full sun and high traffic, Zoysia handles mixed light with less mowing, Centipede suits low-maintenance sunny yards, and St. Augustine holds up in shade. Sunlight is usually the deciding factor, so start by counting the hours.
Late spring through early fall, while warm-season grass is actively growing. April through September gives roots the best chance to knit into the soil. You can install outside that window. It just takes longer to establish and needs a closer eye.
Measure length x width for each section, add the sections together, then add about 5% for cuts around curves and flower beds. Bring us that number, and we will tell you exactly how many pallets to plan for. Our lawn measurement tool can help if your yard is an odd shape.
Yes. We sell by the piece and by the half pallet, so a small patch job is just as welcome as a full yard replacement. Repeat customers pick up 10 or 20 pieces at a time, all season long, and we load every order for you!
Same day if you can, and within 24 hours outside. In Birmingham heat, sod starts breaking down on the pallet quickly, so prep your soil before you come get it.
Bermuda and Zoysia Price Chart
Zoysia
Bermuda
Transform Your Lawn Today with South Dallas Turf and Supply
Experience the difference our Bermuda turf can make for your property. Contact South Dallas Turf and Supply today for the highest quality sod available, and let us help you create the perfect lawn that will last for years to come.