New Lawn
Sod Installation Guide
Creating a Beautiful, Barefoot-Friendly Lawn
Installing sod is one of the fastest ways to create a beautiful lawn, but success depends on proper preparation and care. A little extra work before installation will save years of frustration with uneven ground, poor rooting, weeds, and disease.
This guide will walk you through selecting the right grass, preparing your soil, installing sod correctly, and maintaining your new lawn for years to come.
"Installing sod is one of the largest landscaping investments most homeowners will ever make. Done correctly, it can provide decades of enjoyment. Done poorly, it can become an expensive lesson. This guide will help you get it right the first time."
2026 Sod Prices
(Updated July 28, 2026)
| Sod Variety | Pallet Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Celebration Bermuda | 450 sq. ft. | $250.00 |
| TifTuf Bermuda | 450 sq. ft. | $250.00 |
| Tifway 419 Bermuda | 540 sq. ft. | $305.00 |
| Raleigh St. Augustine | 450 sq. ft. | $265.00 |
| Palisades Zoysia | 450 sq. ft. | $330.00 |
Prices are subject to change without notice based on availability.
Ordering Information
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Minimum order: One pallet
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Pickup available Monday-Friday
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8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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BES-TEX Supply
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4512 Adobe Drive
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San Angelo, Texas 76903
- 325-653-1300 office
Delivery is available for an additional fee.
All orders are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Weather and transportation delays may occasionally affect delivery schedules.
Step 1
Choosing the Right Grass
A Simple Sunlight Test
One of the easiest ways to determine whether your lawn receives enough sunlight is with an inexpensive solar landscape light.
Place the light in the shadiest part of your yard for a full day. If it receives enough sunlight to charge and operate that evening, there's a good chance you have enough sunlight to grow quality turfgrass. If the light won't stay charged, chances are you don't have enough sunlight to maintain a healthy lawn.
This isn't a scientific measurement, but it's an excellent rule of thumb for homeowners.
Remember, a Bermuda is still a Bermuda. Regardless of the variety, Bermuda grasses perform best in full sun. As shade increases, Bermuda becomes thinner, weaker, and more susceptible to weeds and disease. If your yard receives significant shade, St. Augustine or Zoysia will generally provide better long-term results.
Sunlight Requirements
| Grass | Daily Sunlight |
|---|---|
| Bermuda | 7-8+ hours |
| Zoysia | 5-6+ hours |
| St. Augustine | 4-6+ hours |
More sunlight is always better. As shade increases, turf becomes thinner, weaker, and more susceptible to insects and disease.
Step 2
Prepare the Soil
Great lawns begin below the surface.
Start preparing your yard one to four weeks before delivery.
Preparation Checklist
✔ Eliminate existing weeds and grass with a non-selective herbicide.
✔ Remove rocks, roots, and debris.
✔ Till the soil 2-4 inches deep.
✔ Incorporate organic matter if needed.
✔ Work a starter fertilizer such as 12-24-12 into the soil.
✔ Grade the surface, filling low spots and removing high areas.
✔ Water the soil once to reveal settling.
✔ Make final grading adjustments before installation.
BES-TEX Pro Tip
"Spend a month prepping your yard, not a weekend prepping and laying grass. Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life trying to get it level."
— Monte, BES-TEX Supply
Proper preparation is the foundation of every great lawn. Taking the time to grade, level, and prepare the soil before installation will pay dividends for years to come.
Step 3
Install the Sod
Lay sod immediately after delivery.
Install pieces in a staggered brick pattern with all seams tightly butted together.
Never overlap edges or leave gaps.
Trim around sprinkler heads, sidewalks, flower beds, and trees using a utility knife.
After installation:
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Walk every seam.
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Press each joint firmly into the soil.
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Roll the lawn with a water-filled lawn roller.
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Water immediately.
Step 4
Care for Your New Lawn
Water Like You Mean It
When you install sod, don't rely on your sprinkler system during the first week. Use a garden hose so you can control exactly how much water each piece receives. I want as much water coming out of that hose as possible.
As each piece is laid, take off your shoes and walk the lawn barefoot. Using your heel, firmly press every seam into the soil. Being barefoot allows you to feel air pockets that you might otherwise miss. Eliminating those air pockets creates solid soil-to-root contact, which is critical for successful establishment.
Water each individual piece of sod thoroughly as you install it. Don't simply wet the surface. Soak each section so moisture reaches both the sod and the soil beneath it.
Watering Schedule
Days 1-7
- Water thoroughly once each day.
Days 8-12
- Water deeply every other day.
After Establishment
- Gradually reduce irrigation until you're watering deeply about once each week, depending on rainfall, temperatures, and your soil type.
The ultimate goal is to train your lawn to develop a deep root system.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is overwatering. Too much water is just as damaging as too little. Constantly wet soil leads to shallow roots, weeds, disease, and unnecessary water bills.
Deep, infrequent irrigation grows stronger, healthier turf.
"Over irrigation is as big of a problem as under irrigation. It is the hardest thing to teach someone."
Mowing
Begin mowing once the sod has rooted.
A simple test:
If you cannot pull up a corner of the sod by hand, it's ready.
Never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade during any mowing.
Frequent mowing produces a denser, healthier lawn.
Fertilizing
Starter fertilizer containing phosphorus helps promote rapid root development.
A product such as 12-24-12 should be incorporated into the soil before installation or applied immediately afterward.
After establishment, follow a regular seasonal fertilization program appropriate for your grass species.
Barefoot-Friendly Lawn Checklist
☐ Prepare the soil well before installation.
☐ Grade the yard smooth.
☐ Lay sod tightly with staggered seams.
☐ Roll the sod to eliminate air pockets.
☐ Water immediately after installation.
☐ Irrigate deeply as roots establish.
☐ Begin mowing once rooted.
☐ Fertilize appropriately.
☐ Avoid overwatering.
☐ Enjoy your new lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sod is best for San Angelo?
Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia all perform well in West Texas. Bermuda offers the best drought tolerance and traffic resistance. St. Augustine performs best in shade. Zoysia provides a dense, attractive lawn with moderate shade tolerance and excellent wear resistance.
When is the best time to install sod?
Warm-season grasses can be installed whenever they are actively growing, typically from April through September. Spring and early summer usually provide the fastest establishment.
How should I prepare the soil?
Remove weeds and debris, loosen the soil, improve the grade, and incorporate starter fertilizer before installation.
How often should I water new sod?
Water immediately after installation. Keep the sod consistently moist for the first two weeks. As roots establish, water less frequently but more deeply.
When can I mow?
Most sod is ready to mow in approximately 2-3 weeks, depending on weather and rooting.
Recommended Equipment
Site Preparation
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Rototiller
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Landscape rake
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Shovel
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Wheelbarrow
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Soil probe
Grading
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Lawn roller
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Grading rake
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Drag mat
Installation
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Utility knife
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Measuring tape
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Kneepads
Watering
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Garden hose
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Sprinkler
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Irrigation timer
Let BES-TEX Supply Help
Whether you're a homeowner installing your first lawn or a professional landscaper managing a large project, BES-TEX Supply has the products, equipment, and expertise to help you succeed.
From soil preparation and fertilizer to sod selection and irrigation advice, we're here to help every step of the way.
Our goal is simple:
Helping you grow a healthy, barefoot-friendly lawn you'll enjoy for years to come.
Stay Connected
Every Sunday at 2:00 PM, BES-TEX Supply delivers The Weekly Insight directly to your phone.
Each issue includes:
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Seasonal lawn care tips
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Updated product pricing
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Best Management Practices (BMPs)
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New product highlights
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Watering and fertilization recommendations
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Science-based advice for West Texas landscapes
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