Question
I live in the North Texas area, which I think is Zone 8.  Is it too late to lay St. Augustine or Zoyzia grass. My landscaper is saying no, but I'm uncertain.  

Answer
Lin:

I do not know of any limiter on planting sod in your zone, unless you will suffer winter temperatures below twenty five deg. F.  Fall growth rates decrease dramatically.  This may be the reason your landscaper recommends waiting until spring.

Laying sod now should be all right if temperatures will remain between 80 and 90 deg F. for some weeks.  Performance will not be normal until next spring, but rooting and establishment can occur now.

The same considerations for St. Augustine are applied to Zoysia.  St. Augustine may be preferred for an all around transition zone turf.  Certain varieties of Zoysia are better in areas of cold winters.  If you are near New Mexico, you would do well to choose Meyer or Emerald Zoysia, which are more cold tolerant and are varieties of Zoysia japonica.  Z. japonica is more cold tolerant than Z. matrella and Z. tenuifolia.

The choice is yours to make.  If the winter is not too severe and the sod remains green, you may apply fertilizer to Zoysia throughout the winter, encouraging root growth at .5 to 1.0 pound per thousand square feet of turf.  Generally, nitrogen is applied from May through October in your area .

The comment from your landscaper may depend on supply also.  If sod farms are not cutting now, then, you will have a difficult time having any delivered.

Best wishes.