Similar to Buffalo grass, warm climates should not have any problems with St Augustine grass going dormant during the winter. They are the most shade-tolerant of all lawn grass species. Alongside its most common uses, Bahia grass is accepted as a great lawn choice for those with acreage or large garden spaces in general. Plugs can help speed up the process. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about as the grass will green up again in the springtime. It thrives in higher temperatures, anywhere from 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and is known for its salt tolerance which makes it an ideal option for such coastal regions. So which type of grass is cheaper: Buffalo grass or St Augustine? There are plenty of other types of grass seed to choose from. St. Augustine, or Buffalo grass, is known for its coarse texture and density which create a bounce when walked on. Quick tip: Take a look at this article for some top tips on how to properly mow your lawn. But what if you have a lawn that is already mostly St Augustine? RELATED: Tiftuf vs Sir Walter Grass. 10 Best Outdoor Bedding Ideas for Dogs in 2023. How to Identify Kikuyu Grass (Australian Guide), The Best Lawn Fertiliser for Kikuyu, Couch, and Buffalo, What is Sir Walter Buffalo Grass? Like many other hardy grass varieties, Fescue was originally seen as only a pasture grass. Sometimes clover will fade out after a few years and will need to be reseeded. If youre patient and take some measures to encourage the growth of Buffalo grass, eventually it will take over your lawn. Vancouver BC V6Z 0E2 Zoysia grass costs twice the price of St. Augustine grass on average and it has thinner blades and a deeper green appearance. You can feel free to wait until the grass reaches up to 4 1/2 inches before giving it a trim, and whatever you do dont cut it down any lower than 2 1/2 inches. Having either buffalo grass or st. Augustine in your lawn is a great choice for homeowners looking to minimize their water usage and save money in these tough economic times, but in the end, it all comes down to personal preference and whats best for your individual lawn. Perhaps the main reasons its so popular is that it germinates quickly and has a very high shade tolerance. For more information, read full disclosure here. If you live in an area with a lot of salt in the air, such as near the ocean, then St Augustine is a better choice. Additionally, its roots dont grow as deep into the ground, making it easier for weeds to compete for resources. Obviously, youll never find that one turf that suits all circumstances, and that goes for Bahia grass and St. Augustine alike. Meanwhile, St. Augustine grass requires monthly fertilizer in the growing season if you have sandy soil, and its far more susceptible to pests and diseases. Its also a good choice for people who live away from the ocean but still in a hot, humid climate. Appearance wise, fescue is fine and hair-like, whereas St. Augustine is broader with a more rounded tip. Healthier soil with lots of microorganisms will also break down thatch before it becomes a problem, and St Augustines high fertilizer needs pretty much destroy any beneficial microbes that would help you. It cannot handle cold weather at all. Bermuda grass requires about 1 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet per year, vs. St. Augustine grass, which needs 3 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet annually. It withstands high heat, it withstands cold winters, and it even can withstand long dry spells. Avoid using herbicides as Buffalo Grass is sensitive to chemicals. Whenever looking up information, make sure that it references the right scientific name and which country the info comes from. Its also known to thrive in sandy soils which is convenient for sea-front locations. harmony st augustine grassRelated. You can also read our St. Augustine vs Buffalo grass article here. Check for pests and diseases regularly. Types of Gardening Tools The Essential Guide to What You Need in Your Shed! St. Augustine grass is a warm-season grass that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Known for its lush appearance and drought tolerance, buffalo grass thrives in hot, dry conditions and grows best in warmer climates. Buffalo grass has fine, feathery blades and is more blue-green than the deep green of St. Augustine. There are several types of St. Augustine grass, including palmetto, citrablue, Seville, and floratam. However, there are certain conditions that can cause it to die off. Like Buffalo grass, St Augustine is a perennial and does not need to be replaced very often. If youre looking for a type of grass that doesnt require a lot of work, Buffalo grass is the better choice. Bahia and St. Augustine are great, but what do you think; which one is better? It is recommended that you seek appropriate professional advice regarding your individual circumstances. Water the lawn deeply but infrequently. Buffalo Grass vs Bermuda | Whats Better For My Lawn? This grass species is excellent for coastal regions with high humidity, mild winters, and salty skies. Another advantage of Buffalo Grass is that it needs very little fertilizer, as little as 1 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq foot per year. Also, if you live in an area with heavy winters, st. Augustine may not be a good choice for you; it tends to die back in cold weather, leaving bare patches where snow collects. A popular warm season grass, St. Augustine is best suited to hotter climes, in places such as Florida, Southern California, and the Gulf states. If anything its going to be the other way around, as St Augustine is the more aggressive of the two. This warm-season grass forms deep roots which allows it to sustain better in sandy or infertile soils. St. Augustine Grass, Centipede Grass / By Joe Bethel. If you do need to replace your St Augustine grass, the best time to do so is in the springtime. However, in colder areas, it is possible for the grass to die off and stop growing. Outside of very specific conditions, its not worth planting. A St. Augustine lawn should be mown to a height of 2" to 2.5". Despite their similarities, as we have seen, Buffalo grass and St Augustine are two very different types of grass. Low. If you hear that Buffalo Grass needs more water than Bermuda, then theyre actually referring to St Augustine. Also, water the St. Augustine grass the night before mowing so it is healthy and perked up the following day for mowing. Buffalo grass (known as St. Augustine in the US) is a warm season grass that is native to areas of North and South America, parts of Africa and the Caribbean. If youre in an area with water restrictions, then Buffalo Grass could be your answer. Buffalo grass is a warm-season grass that is dormant in the winter and green in the summer, so if you have been experiencing colder temperatures, this may also be the cause for a slight discolouration. USDA hardiness zones: 7 to 12. High resistance for both insects and disease. As we mentioned above, Buffalo grass is native to North America while St Augustine is native to Africa and Asia. Note for the purposes of this article, well be talking about fine fescue grass, and not tall fescue. If you St. Augustine grass is stressed when mowed, it will lay over itself due to the height, and this will cause uneven mowing. Buffalo grass needs water on a regular basis to survive, but over-watering can lead to fungal diseases. Also, if you live in an area with heavy winters. This also means that they have different appearances. It is one of the most common varieties of grass in Australia, but understanding how to identify Buffalo grass can be difficult for beginners. This grass is native to southeastern and central parts of the U.S. and Central America. Left long, the grass blades will bow in a beautifully wavy look. It is favorable along the Gulf Coast as well as deep south as it is unopposed to variating soil pH levels as well as nutrient content. St. Augustine is a perennial warm season grass found natively in South and North America as well as in the Caribbean, too. You can rest at ease if you are planning to grow this grass on your lawn. What soil PH level is good for buffalo grass? Centipede is more cold tolerant than St. Augustine grasses but has less shade tolerance. drought tolerance, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, etc.). Spikes in nitrogen levels from synthetic fertilizers will exacerbate thatch problems and decrease its resistance to pests and disease as it destroys the beneficial microbes in the soil that would otherwise help keep your grass healthy. Next up, is fescue grass vs St. Augustine grass. Pick up a soil testing kit and make sure you have optimum conditions. While its true that theyre both very good grasses and look great when maintained, there are some differences you should know about before making your decision on which one to plant in your yard. Mowing height: 3 to 4 inches. I help busy people get into gardening, create natural and good-looking home decorations, and suggest outdoor activities and tools explore nature. Which is the best St Augustine grass variety? St. Augustine is very popular due to its vibrant and fresh color that can last for months. It is a good choice for people who live in warm climates, as it can survive in hot weather. Lets learn more about them! Here are the characteristics to look out for when trying to identify Buffalo grass: The blades are broad and thin, with a midrib running down the middle of the leaf. It is soft, dense and has that really great green color that shows health in a lawn. If youre looking for a new type of grass to put in your yard, you may be wondering whether Buffalo Grass or St Augustine is the better choice. Zoysia vs. St. Augustine Grass Mowing Heights and Growth Habits. + 1 778-244-4107 Centipedegrass does not have a dormant season, so it will stay a bright, yellow-green year-round. However, such pleasures only come with high maintenance and St. Augustine can be tricky to keep happy. Providing youre in a cool-season grass region, fine fescue makes an excellent species for lawns although its highly likely it will be mixed with other variants to maximize health. Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. 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