Whether your lawn took a hit from chinch bug damage, drought, fungal disease, or years of neglect — resodding is often the most practical path back to a dense, healthy turf. In Jacksonville's subtropical climate, warm-season grasses like St. Augustine establish quickly in summer, and a freshly sodded yard can go from bare dirt to walk-ready in 3–4 weeks when managed correctly.
This guide walks through the entire process: when resodding makes sense, what to do before the sod arrives, how to lay it correctly, and exactly what you'll pay at published pricing — no mystery costs, no runaround.
Resodding vs. Overseeding — Which Is Right?
For most Jacksonville homeowners, overseeding is not an option. St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda are warm-season grasses that don't produce viable seed in quantities useful for lawn establishment. Bahia can be seeded, but results are slow and patchy. If more than 50% of your lawn is dead or severely damaged, resodding is the practical answer. For smaller dead zones — under 100 square feet — a partial pallet delivered curbside handles it without committing to a full-yard project. Also factor in the best time to install sod in Jacksonville's climate, since timing your resod job right makes a real difference in how fast it establishes.
Step-by-Step Resodding Process
Kill the existing grass
Apply a non-selective herbicide containing glyphosate to the entire area. This kills existing grass, weeds, and any surviving root systems from the problem turf. Wait 7–10 days for the material to fully die back before moving to the next step. Do not skip this — live grass or weed roots under new sod will compete aggressively and compromise establishment.
Remove dead grass
Once the turf is dead, remove it. For larger areas, a sod cutter rental from a local equipment yard makes fast work of it — the machine undercuts the root zone and rolls the dead material off in strips. For smaller patches, a flat spade or a hand sod cutter works. Bag and haul away everything, including the organic layer sitting on top of the soil.
Grade and level the soil
The new sod surface should sit approximately 1 inch below driveways, walkways, and edging to account for the sod thickness. Fill low spots and rake out high points until the surface is reasonably smooth. Poor grading leads to standing water, scalping during mowing, and uneven establishment.
Apply starter fertilizer
Rake a balanced starter fertilizer (high phosphorus, such as 10-20-10 or similar) into the top inch of soil before sodding. Phosphorus promotes root development and helps new sod anchor quickly. This step matters most when working with sandy Jacksonville soil, which is low in natural nutrients.
Wet the soil before sod arrives
Water the prepared area until the top 2–3 inches of soil are moist. Dry soil pulls moisture out of the sod immediately after installation, stressing the roots at the worst possible moment. Moist soil gives the new roots something to bind to right away.
Lay the sod in a staggered brick pattern
Start along a straight edge — a sidewalk, fence line, or driveway — and work inward. Offset each row by half a sod piece length (brick pattern) so the seams don't line up. Butt pieces tightly together with no gaps and no overlap. Cut around curves and obstacles with a utility knife or sod cutter. Work quickly — fresh-cut sod begins drying within hours on a hot Jacksonville summer day.
Tamp the sod and water immediately
After laying, use a lawn roller or walk the sod firmly to eliminate air pockets between the sod and soil. Water immediately and thoroughly — the goal is to saturate the sod and wet the top 3–4 inches of soil beneath. Do this within 30 minutes of completing each section, not after the entire yard is done.
Water 2–3 times daily for the first two weeks
New sod needs consistent moisture to establish. Water in the early morning, midday, and late afternoon for the first 14 days. After two weeks, check whether roots are anchoring (tug test: try to lift a corner — resistance means roots are taking hold). Once anchored, reduce to once-daily morning watering for another week, then shift to your normal schedule.
How Much Does Resodding Cost in Jacksonville?
Most Jacksonville sod companies won't publish pricing — you have to call to get a number. First Coast Sod publishes supply pricing upfront so you can plan your project budget before picking up the phone.
| Variety | Price Per Pallet | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Augustine | $300 | ~450 sq ft | Shade tolerance, established neighborhoods |
| Zoysia | $350 | ~450 sq ft | Drought resistance, fine texture |
| Bermuda | $325 | ~450 sq ft | Full sun, high traffic areas |
| Bahia | $200 | ~450 sq ft | Low maintenance, budget projects |
Yard Size to Pallet Estimates
| Yard Size | Pallets Needed | St. Augustine Cost | Bermuda Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 750 sq ft | ~2 pallets | $600 | $650 |
| 1,000 sq ft | ~2–3 pallets | $600–$900 | $650–$975 |
| 1,500 sq ft | ~4 pallets | $1,200 | $1,300 |
| 2,000 sq ft | ~5 pallets | $1,500 | $1,625 |
| 2,500 sq ft | ~6 pallets | $1,800 | $1,950 |
Sod costs shown above already include delivery — there's no separate delivery fee to add. Use the First Coast Sod calculator to enter your exact dimensions and get a pallet count specific to your yard.
Choosing the Right Variety for Your Replacement
The same variety you had before is not always the right call. If your St. Augustine kept dying in a particularly sunny section, Bermuda may hold up better. If a shaded corner never performed well, consider Zoysia or shade-tolerant St. Augustine cultivars. Read our shade grass guide for Jacksonville if tree cover is a factor, or see our St. Augustine vs Zoysia comparison to weigh the top two choices head-to-head.
Patching vs. full resod: If only a section of the yard is damaged — say, from a chinch bug outbreak — you can order a partial amount and patch the dead zone without replacing the whole lawn. Match the variety to what's already growing for a seamless result.
Know your numbers before you call.
We publish pallet prices upfront — St. Augustine $300, Zoysia $350, Bermuda $325, Bahia $200. Calculate your coverage, then reach out for a curbside delivery quote.
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