Not all grass is created equal. Establishing a lush, green yard that will make your home or business stand out starts with choosing the right variety of grass. Living in Florida, it’s important to pick grass that can thrive in the hot, humid summers. Here are four of the best types of grass for your Gainesville Lawn.
St. Augustine grass
St. Augustine grass is most common in the Southern United States and is the most popular type of grass used in Florida. In fact, researchers believe that it’s native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico. This variety thrives in subtropical (hot and humid) climates.
It grows best in full sunlight but is also more tolerant of partial shade than some other warm-season varieties. St. Augustine grass is a favorite for residential and commercial applications for its beautiful green to blue-green color and the thickness of its turf. Seeds can be hard to find, so most St. Augustine grass is planted as sod, sprigs, or plugs. Once planted, it establishes quickly.
St. Augustine grass does require a bit of care. It prefers moist, semi-fertile soil, so irrigation is almost essential during dry summers. It also doesn’t hold up to traffic as well as some other varieties.
Applications
Plant St. Augustine grass if you want your property to be the envy of the block. Just be prepared to keep up with some maintenance.
Bahia grass
If you’re looking for a type of grass that doesn’t require much maintenance, Bahia grass might be the best bet. It loves the sun and forms a deep root system that can reach into the ground and grab up all the moisture it can find. While it doesn’t have the beautiful carpet-like coverage of some other varieties, it can survive in almost any soil—even sand—and is highly drought-resistant. It’s also mostly disease and insect-resistant.
Bahia grass can be grown from seed but takes a while to germinate and cover large areas. For a quick establishment, plant it as sod. If left unmowed for too long, Bahia grass will form tall seed heads, which some people find unsightly and can be hard to mow.
Applications
Plant Bahia grass in large, sunny, unirrigated lots that don’t see much shade or traffic. It’s best for people who don’t like to keep up with yard maintenance.
Bermuda grass
Bermuda grass grows into a thick, green to dark-green turf that can survive in most soil types and is decently drought-resistant. Although it won’t die, Bermuda grass will enter a state of dormancy and turn brown during extended dry periods, which can be unsightly. It’s also very tolerant of high-traffic areas, which makes it one of the most popular types of grass for sports fields and golf courses. It prefers to grow in sunny areas.
Bermuda grass establishes quickly and can outgrow most weeds. If left unchecked, it can invade nearby flowerbeds. Although you won’t have to weed your lawn as much, Bermuda grass has a low tolerance to insects and disease, which means you’ll have to keep up with some maintenance.
Applications
Bermuda grass is ideal for high-traffic yards that get a lot of sun.
Zoysia grass
Zoysia grass has become a popular choice for Florida lawns because of its dense, attractive turf. It can grow in a variety of soil types and has a decent tolerance to shade and traffic. When planted, Zoysia grass has a slow growth rate compared to other types of grass but spreads aggressively and can quickly invade neighboring flowerbeds and other yards. Once it has been established, it’s very hard to remove.
While it’s tolerant of shade and traffic, Zoysia grass is susceptible to some insects and diseases. Because of its slow growth rate,
it struggles to recover from any damage. If Zoysia grass isn’t properly maintained, it can become unsightly or even die off.
Applications
Zoysia grass is a great all-around variety that creates an attractive dark-green turf with decent shade and traffic resistance that will make your property look its best. Just make sure to keep up with the maintenance.
Lawncare Tips from Sun Power Lawn Care
Choosing which type of grass is right for your property can be a difficult task. If you have questions, Sun Power Lawn Care is here to help. We have years of experience working with local Gainesville home and business owners who want to make their properties stand out. We can help you pick the grass that’s best for your property; supply and install the sod of your choice; and provide sustainable, environmentally friendly lawn care services to help you maintain your brand-new yard and become the envy of the neighborhood. Contact us today for a free quote on all your lawn care needs. You can reach us through our email, admin@sunpowerlawncare.com, or call us directly at (352) 507-5296.
Here are some great resources to help your lawn look its best:
Gainesville – The Amazing Secret Behind the Most Beautiful Lawns!
Revealed: Mowing Frequency More Important than Previously Thought
