Blade & Mow Height
Blade: Medium-fine blade, 3 to 4 mm
Mow: 1 to 2 inches
Zoysia Sod Variety
Innovation Sod in Louisiana
Innovation is the newer Texas A&M release that won NTEP top performer 2017-2022. Best all-around Zoysia in current trials. Drought, shade, traffic, and cold tolerance combined in one cultivar.
- Cut Fresh Per Order
- Statewide Delivery
- Contractor Pricing
What Is It?
Innovation Sod Explained
Innovation Zoysia is a Zoysia matrella x Zoysia japonica hybrid developed at Texas A&M and released through Sod Solutions in 2019. It topped the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials 2017-2022 across multiple performance categories.
Best fit: premium residential and commercial across Louisiana where the homeowner or property manager wants the best-tested current Zoysia. Innovation handles drought, shade, traffic, and cold better than older cultivars in standardized trials.
Where Innovation does not fit: budget builds (Empire wins on price), or where the homeowner wants the proven decades-old standards (Empire, Palisades, Meyer). Innovation is the right pick for premium installs that want the newer breeding science.
At a Glance
Innovation Specs
Quick-reference card. Blade, mow height, sun, shade, drought, traffic, salt, pH, and USDA zone.
Sun & Shade
Sun: 4+ hours of direct sun
Shade: Excellent shade tolerance
Drought & Traffic
Drought: Excellent
Traffic: High
USDA Zone
Zones 6-10 (cold-tolerant for north LA)
Salt Tolerance
Good
Soil pH
5.5 to 7.5
Louisiana Fit
Where Innovation Fits Best in Louisiana
Innovation suits premium Louisiana residential statewide. The cold tolerance extends its useful range north to Caddo and Ouachita parishes, while the heat and humidity tolerance handles south LA summers. Best as the upgrade pick over Empire or Palisades for homeowners who want NTEP-validated current breeding.
Common in: Premium custom homes statewide, especially upscale subdivisions in Lafayette River Ranch, Baton Rouge Country Club of Louisiana, Mandeville and Covington, Spring Lake (Shreveport), Bocage (Monroe area)
The LSU AgCenter turfgrass guide backs the regional fit data above. Send us your zip and we will tell you straight whether Innovation fits your specific yard.
Pricing
Innovation 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 Innovation Sod
- Watering during establishment: Water twice a day for first 10 days. Daily for week 2. Established Innovation needs about 0.5 to 0.75 inches per week. Excellent drought tolerance.
- Mow height range: Maintain at 1 to 2 inches. Reel mower preferred for premium look. Rotary works for routine maintenance.
- Fertilizer schedule: 3 applications per year. Spring, early summer, late summer.
- Pre-emergent timing: Apply in mid-February (south LA) or early March (north LA).
Honest Comparison
Innovation vs The Closest Alternatives
Two side-by-side reads so you can pick straight, not guess.
Innovation vs. Empire
Innovation is the premium NTEP-top-performer upgrade over Empire. Better all-around tolerance to drought, shade, traffic, cold. Costs more, slower supply ramp-up. Empire is the proven mainstream pick at lower price. Pick Innovation for premium installs. Pick Empire for mainstream family yards.
Innovation vs. Trinity LS
Both are newer premium Zoysias from Texas A&M / Sod Solutions. Innovation is the all-rounder with NTEP top scores. Trinity LS specializes in shade tolerance (LS = Low Sun). Pick Innovation for full or mixed-sun premium yards. Pick Trinity LS for deep oak shade premium yards.
Common Questions
Innovation Sod FAQ
NTEP (National Turfgrass Evaluation Program) is the standardized US turfgrass trial system that compares varieties under controlled conditions across multiple climates. Innovation topped NTEP Zoysia trials 2017-2022, which is third-party validation of the variety's performance vs older standards.
Yes, through the Sod Solutions Pro licensed grower network. Supply is moderate but growing as more LA farms add it. Lead times can be longer than Empire. Plan ahead for premium installs.
Innovation typically costs 30-50 percent more per pallet than Empire due to the newer release premium and limited grower network. Worth it for premium installs that value the newer breeding.
Yes. Innovation extends to USDA Zone 6, which covers all of Louisiana including north LA. The cold tolerance is one of the variety's standout features in NTEP trials.
Ready to Order Innovation Sod?
Fresh Innovation 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