Poolside Lawn Getting Trampled? Plug It Back to Life

The sun's out, the grill’s going, and the kids are splashing in the water. The pool deck becomes command central—wet feet race back and forth, lounge chairs scrape across the grass, and towels drop trails of water along the way.

It’s all part of the summer fun. But come season’s end, many homeowners are left with something less than picture-perfect: a patchy, trampled lawn around the pool.

Sound familiar?

Don’t worry—you don’t have to start from scratch. If your grass has taken a beating, there’s a better way to bring it back to life. A simple fix that doesn’t require resodding the entire yard or spending every weekend with a hose and a rake. The solution? Grass plugs.

Pool Ownership Is Big—Especially in Florida

Pools are a big part of backyard life in the US. Roughly 8% of households have one—and Florida tops the charts in terms of pool ownership.

The state is home to about 1.59 million residential swimming pools, averaging one pool for every 14 residents. Of those, 59% are in-ground while 41% are above-ground, but either way, one thing is true: they all share turf with the lawn. That means lawns near pools are subject to constant wear. If you live in Florida, chances are your grass gets just as much use as your pool.

Why Poolside Lawns Suffer

A poolside lawn doesn’t just sit pretty. It works overtime.

From flip-flop traffic to towel drops, lawn chairs being dragged, and the occasional splash of chlorinated water, your turf is constantly under pressure. Foot traffic compacts the soil. Pool chemicals can stress grass blades. Overwatered zones around the pool edge can lead to soggy, weakened roots.

Before long, you’re left with bare patches, thinning grass, or uneven spots that no longer blend with the rest of your yard.

While reseeding can be slow and resodding labor-intensive, grass plugs offer a practical middle ground—ideal for patching up small, irregular areas without the hassle or the cost of a full-sod installation.

A Smarter Fix: Patch with Lawn Grass Plugs

Instead of overhauling your entire lawn, try something smarter and more practical: grass plugs. SodPods® grass plugs are pre-grown pieces of sod, with fully grown roots, designed to patch and repair lawns quickly and effectively.

These sod pieces are rooted and ready to grow. Unlike seeds, they will not wash away in a summer storm. And unlike full sod pallets, you don’t need to tear up your entire yard just to treat a few bare patches.

They’re ideal for smaller jobs—like the poolside corners that have taken a hit from summer fun.

How It Works: Quick Lawn Recovery with Less Work

SodPods® grass plugs are easy to plant and even easier to manage.

Each plug comes with mature grass and an established root system, which means it gets to work right away. Once planted, the plugs gradually take root and begin filling in—blending into your existing turf over time.

Compared to laying new sod, plugs require less water, less soil preparation, and no professional installation. Most homeowners can plug their poolside lawn in a single afternoon with just a grass plug tool and a hose.

Over the next few weeks, the results start to show—fresh, healthy grass where there was once bare ground.

Built for Florida Conditions

SodPods are available in warm-season grass varieties that thrive in warm, humid climates like in Florida. Whether you’re dealing with full sun, a mix of shade, or constant backyard activity, there’s a plug variety that fits your needs:

• St. Augustine – Ideal for full sun and high foot traffic. Some varieties better tolerate partial shade.

• Zoysia – Known for its thick, carpet-like texture and wear resistance.

• Bermudagrass – Great for lawns with full sun exposure and see a lot of use.

Because they are essentially mature plants, grass plugs grow successfully where seed often fails, such as in compacted or splash-prone areas. That makes them a reliable solution for pool zones, stepping paths, or any spot where grass has thinned.

Small Fix, Big Impact

You don’t need a complete lawn makeover to bring your poolside yard back to life.

A few well-placed grass plugs can restore curb appeal, improve safety around wet areas, and create a more enjoyable space for family and friends.

So before you write off those patchy corners, try plugging them instead. With the right grass—and a boost from NutriPod® grass fertilizer—your lawn can bounce back faster than you’d think.

Ready to repair your poolside lawn? Patch it back to life with SodPods grass plugs—available in Florida-friendly varieties built to thrive in sun, shade, and summer traffic.