Blade & Mow Height
Blade: Fine blade, 2 to 3 mm
Mow: 0.75 to 1.5 inches
Zoysia Sod Variety
Emerald Sod in Louisiana
Emerald is the classic premium Zoysia. Fine textured, dense, deep green. Decades of proven track record across Louisiana premium yards. Still grown by Wilderness Turf and other LA producers.
- Cut Fresh Per Order
- Statewide Delivery
- Contractor Pricing
What Is It?
Emerald Sod Explained
Emerald Zoysia is a USDA hybrid (Zoysia matrella x Zoysia tenuifolia) released in 1955. It is one of the original premium Zoysias and remains in active production at Louisiana farms including Wilderness Turf in Mer Rouge.
Best fit: premium residential yards where the homeowner wants a fine-textured, dense, deep green look with proven decades of performance. Common in older established premium neighborhoods across Louisiana where it was installed in the 1990s and 2000s and has stood the test of time.
Where Emerald does not fit: budget builds (Empire or Palisades win on price) or yards where shade tolerance is the priority (Geo or Zeon handle shade better). Emerald is the right pick for traditional premium installs that value proven performance.
At a Glance
Emerald Specs
Quick-reference card. Blade, mow height, sun, shade, drought, traffic, salt, pH, and USDA zone.
Sun & Shade
Sun: 6+ hours of direct sun
Shade: Light shade tolerated
Drought & Traffic
Drought: Moderate
Traffic: Moderate
USDA Zone
Zones 7-10
Salt Tolerance
Moderate
Soil pH
5.5 to 7.0
Louisiana Fit
Where Emerald Fits Best in Louisiana
Emerald is grown by Wilderness Turf in Mer Rouge and several other Louisiana sod farms. It suits established premium neighborhoods and traditional landscapes that want the proven decades-old fine-textured look. Common in older Bocage, Garden District, and Spring Lake yards where it was installed in the 1990s and matured beautifully.
Common in: Older established premium yards in Bocage and Country Club of Louisiana (Baton Rouge), Garden District (NOLA), Spring Lake and South Highlands (Shreveport), Old Mandeville waterfront
The LSU AgCenter turfgrass guide backs the regional fit data above. Send us your zip and we will tell you straight whether Emerald fits your specific yard.
Pricing
Emerald Sod Pricing & Pallet Coverage
Pallet Coverage
A standard pallet covers approximately 450 square feet, cut as 16x24 inch slabs (typical, varies slightly by farm). Most yards in Louisiana run 1 to 4 pallets.
Half Pallets
Half pallets available for small repairs and patch jobs (approximately 225 square feet). Minimum order applies for delivery, not pickup.
Contractor Pricing
Contractor and builder pricing kicks in at five or more pallets per order. NET 30 terms for qualified accounts. Recurring delivery scheduling for ongoing jobs.
Care Schedule
How to Care for Emerald Sod
- Watering during establishment: Water twice a day for first 10 days. Daily for week 2. Established Emerald needs about 0.75 to 1 inch per week.
- Mow height range: Maintain at 0.75 to 1.5 inches with a reel mower for the premium look. Rotary works for routine maintenance but compromises the fine-textured signature.
- Fertilizer schedule: 3 applications per year. Spring, early summer, late summer. Iron supplementation maintains the deep green color.
- Pre-emergent timing: Apply in mid-February (south LA) or early March (north LA).
Honest Comparison
Emerald vs The Closest Alternatives
Two side-by-side reads so you can pick straight, not guess.
Emerald vs. Geo
Both are premium fine-textured Zoysias. Emerald is the older 1955 USDA classic with proven decades of performance. Geo is the newer 2007 Sod Solutions release with better shade tolerance and stronger overall stress tolerance. Pick Emerald for traditional installs. Pick Geo for the modern premium upgrade.
Emerald vs. Zeon
Both are fine-textured premium Zoysias. Zeon is the newer golf-quality top tier with better drought tolerance. Emerald is the classic with broader Louisiana supply and lower price. Pick Zeon for ultra-premium showcase. Pick Emerald for proven traditional premium.
Common Questions
Emerald Sod FAQ
Yes. Wilderness Turf in Mer Rouge actively grows Emerald, plus several other Louisiana sod farms. Supply is solid in central and north Louisiana, available statewide on order.
Decades of proven performance and a slightly lower price than Zeon. For traditional landscapes that already feature mature Emerald and need to match, or for homeowners who value proven cultivars over newer releases, Emerald is the smart pick.
Emerald typically costs 20-30 percent more per pallet than Empire due to the premium fine blade and slower production. Less expensive than Zeon. Contractor pricing applies on volume.
Yes. Emerald handles humid Louisiana summers well and winters in USDA Zones 7-10 (most of Louisiana). Recovers slowly from cold damage in north LA, so spring and fall installs are recommended for the northern parishes.
Ready to Order Emerald Sod?
Fresh Emerald sod cut from our family of Louisiana sod farms and delivered direct to your driveway. Same-week delivery. Contractor pricing on volume.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 6 PM · Statewide delivery · Contractor pricing on volume