Landscaping
Landscaping, Grading, and Sod Installation in Southeast Houston
Land grading reshapes the ground so water drains away from your home, and sod installation puts established turf over prepared soil for an instant lawn. Evergreen Tree Service handles both, along with clearing, beds, and mulch, across La Porte, Pasadena, Deer Park, Clear Lake, Baytown, and the surrounding area. Estimates are free within 20 miles. Call 832-643-6215.
Most yards we are called to have the same underlying issue: the ground is working against the grass. Heavy clay soil, a slope that sends water toward the house, and compacted ground left behind by tree work or construction all defeat new sod before it has a chance. The sections below cover how to tell a grading problem from a lawn problem, which sod suits this climate, and what to expect on install day.
Key takeaways
- •Standing water and yard erosion are grading problems; new sod alone will not fix them.
- •St. Augustine handles shade and humidity best in most southeast Houston yards.
- •New sod needs consistent water for two weeks and light traffic for two to three.
- •Soil prep matters more than the sod itself; laying turf over compacted clay fails.
- •Restoring the yard right after tree work avoids a second mobilization later.
Signs Your Yard Needs Grading, Not Just Grass
- •Water stands for a day or more after rain instead of draining off
- •Soil stays wet against the foundation or slab edge
- •Narrow erosion channels cut across the lawn after heavy storms
- •The same low spot goes bare every year no matter what you plant
- •Mulch and topsoil migrate downhill and pile against the fence line
What We Do
- •Land grading and leveling to correct slope, low spots, and drainage toward the house
- •Sod installation over properly prepared and graded soil
- •Land and brush clearing for overgrown lots and back sections
- •Beds and mulch with clean edging and correct mulch depth
- •Post-tree-work restoration after removals, stump grinding, or storm cleanup
How a Sod Project Runs
- Walk the yard. We look at sun exposure, slope, and where water currently goes.
- Clear and strip. Old turf, weeds, roots, and debris come out of the area.
- Grade. The surface is shaped to drain away from structures and level out low spots.
- Prep soil. Compacted ground is broken up and topsoil added where it is thin.
- Lay sod. Pieces are set tight and staggered so seams knit instead of drying out.
- Water and hand off. First watering happens the same day, with a clear schedule for the next two weeks.
Mistakes That Cost People a Lawn
- •Laying sod straight onto compacted clay without breaking it up or adding soil
- •Watering heavily twice and then stopping; the first two weeks are the whole battle
- •Putting sun-loving Bermuda under a mature shade canopy
- •Mulching too deep or piling it against trunks, which holds moisture where it causes rot
- •Resodding a chronic low spot without fixing the grade that created it
Clearing and Site Prep
When a property needs more than turf work, the same crew can clear brush, take out trees, grind stumps, and handle light demolition of sheds, slabs, and fencing, then grade the site so it is ready for construction, new landscaping, or open lawn. Commercial properties and HOAs can schedule this through our commercial services, and finished work is shown in our project gallery.
Landscaping Questions We Hear Most
Get a Free Grading or Sod Estimate
Tell us what the yard is doing after it rains and we will tell you whether it needs grading, sod, or both. Call 832-643-6215.
Request your free landscaping estimateRelated Services and Reading
- Stump grinding before you resod a spot
- Light demolition and lot clearing
- Tree removal and yard restoration
- Trees and landscape tips from our crews
Areas We Serve for Landscaping
Evergreen Tree Service proudly provides professional tree services throughout the southeast Houston area including: