Grass Types Thriving in Florida Landscaping
Although it can be great for folks who live here, Florida’s climate can be harsh for lawns. This makes picking the right grass type for your home’s lawn so important. The region is known for its heat and humidity, which can wreak havoc on some grasses. Additionally, in some areas, the soil is quite sandy; the salt content is very high, complicating matters even further. Not to worry though, for there are several popular grass varieties that are uniquely suited to growing in Florida. Of course, each comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best and most popular varieties to help you make the right choice for your property.
St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine is without a doubt the most popular variety of grass in Florida, making appearances everywhere from residential areas to public parks to golf courses. It features broad, flat blades with a rich blue-green hue, growing well in heat and sun with decent salt tolerance. It grows fairly rapidly and spreads to fill in any gaps or bare patches quickly. This makes it easy to establish a new lawn or replace an existing one that has fallen into disrepair.
However, it is this rapid growth that also leads to the main drawback of St. Augustine sod: it requires quite a bit of maintenance. Because it grows so quickly, you’ll have to mow much more often than with other grass types to keep it at its healthy height of 3.5 to 4 inches. Floratam St. Augustine Grass is a variety of St. Augustin grass that does not tolerate shade well. There are, however, varieties of St. Augustine grass like Seville and Citrablue, that do well in shade. You need to make sure you get the right type of grass for your specific yard. This will start your yard on the right foot from the start. Finally, it can be susceptible to lawn pests and disease, though there are some genetically engineered variations of St. Augustine that aim to solve these problems.
Bahia Grass
Bahia grass is another variety that does well in the heat we experience here in Florida, and it can tolerate sandy soil conditions as well. It requires minimal irrigation to grow well, making it highly drought-tolerant, which is important in this part of the country. During extreme droughts, the grass will go dormant rather than die off, springing back to life once again when conditions improve.
On the negative side, Bahia grass doesn’t do well in shade, and it is highly susceptible to overwatering, which includes water coming from rain. It also requires frequent mowing and is prone to developing weeds, so you’ll have your hands full in terms of ongoing maintenance.
Icon Zoysia Grass
Zoysia is highly popular for its drought-tolerance and ability to withstand heavy traffic. Whether you have children or pets, or you are looking for turf for a golf course/park area, Zoysia can hold up under the frequent foot traffic. Its dense, dark green turf looks great and fends off weeds and pests better than many other grass varieties. In general, it is pretty low-maintenance, as it only grows at a moderate pace, and it doesn’t require extensive watering or fertilizing. Finally, it can handle being in partial shade, so there is no need to worry if your yard doesn’t get full sun throughout the day.
Because Zoysia is such a well-rounded grass, it doesn’t have much in the way of negatives. However, some homeowners don’t like its coarser texture, which isn’t as comfortable underfoot as some other popular grasses, but that’s the trade-off for the additional hardiness Zoysia provides.
New Sod for Your Florida Lawn
Here at Duda Sod, we have all of these types of sod for sale and more. Our lawn experts will be happy to review your options and find the best grass for your property. We’ll evaluate your location, needs and preferences, as well as the soil in your yard. This helps determine which variety is best suited to your lifestyle and outdoor space. From St. Augustine to Zoysia, we’ve got all the sod you need to establish a beautiful, lush lawn.