Bermuda grass is a warm-weather grass that is recognizable by its bright, green color and its coarse texture. It typically grows in climates with a lot of sun and can reach heights of up to three feet.
The blades of Bermuda grass grow in a V-shaped pattern, with the tip at the top of the V reaching about 1/4 inch. Bermuda grass has a deep root system, which makes it ideal for high-traffic areas.
St. Augustine grass is a warm-weather grass that is recognizable by its thick, course blades and its blue-green color. It grows in a thick blanket and typically grows in heights of up to three feet, although it can sometimes reach four feet.
The blades of St. Augustine grass grow in a V-shaped pattern, with the end of the V reaching around 1/4 inch. Additionally, since the roots of St. Augustine grass run shallow, it is not a good choice for high-traffic areas.
How do I know if my grass is St. Augustine?
The best way to know if you have St. Augustine grass is to look a sample of the grass carefully. St. Augustine has unique characteristics that make it easily distinguishable from other grasses. The blades of St.
Augustine are wide and have a coarse texture. The grass tends to form a thick mat and creates a dense turf. The green grass has thick, upright stems and grows in clumps. The edges have rounded tips and the grass may contain runners and stolons. St.
Augustine also has a distinctive blue-green color. If you are still unsure, you can contact a local lawn care specialist to confirm what type of grass you have.
Can I mix Bermuda grass with St. Augustine?
Yes, you can mix Bermuda grass with St. Augustine grass. Both of these grasses are warm-season grasses and are suitable for areas with hot summers, full sun, and well-draining soil. However, there are some key points you should keep in mind when mixing the two grasses.
Sandri recommends applying a soil amendment to your soil prior to planting. This will improve the fertility of the soil and provide a better environment for both types of grass. Additionally, when mixing the two grasses, planting a combination of both at the same time or overseeding the St.
Augustine into a stand of Bermuda may help ensure the success of the mix. Last, Lime or other soil pH adjustment for the sod area should be completed prior to planting, which will help ensure both grasses can establish and thrive in the environment.
Does Bermuda grass choke out St. Augustine grass?
Yes, Bermuda grass can choke out St. Augustine grass. In fact, it’s a common problem for homeowners with mixed turf areas. Bermuda grass is capable of spreading aggressively, so it can overtake St. Augustine grass whether it’s seeded, plugged, or sodded.
As long as the weather conditions are right, allowing the Bermuda grass to spread, St. Augustine grass will struggle to compete with Bermuda grass. The best way to prevent Bermuda grass from choking out St.
Augustine grass is to use the right cultural practices. If you have an area where both types of grass are growing together, make sure to mow the Bermuda grass at its recommended height of 1 inch, while raising the mower a bit higher when cutting the St.
Augustine grass. Additionally, pay close attention to fertilizers and water levels as over-fertilizing and/or over-watering can contribute to the problem. If these measures don’t work, you may want to consider physically removing the Bermuda grass with a metal rake or herbicide.
What grass mixes well with Bermuda?
Perennial ryegrass is a popular grass to mix with Bermuda grass for several reasons. Firstly, the root system of perennial ryegrass helps prevent erosion and adds stability to a lawn. Secondly, planting a mixture of ryegrass and Bermuda can result in better wear resistance and establish a thicker, healthier turf.
Additionally, ryegrass is hardier than Bermuda and able to withstand colder temperatures and longer periods of drought.
Traditionally, the mixture of Bermuda with perennial ryegrass has consisted of roughly 60 percent Bermuda and 40 percent ryegrass. This provides more color during the cooler months, when the Bermudagrass goes dormant, and provides a robust turf system that can better withstand traffic and wear.
The combination of perennial ryegrass and Bermuda, also known as “overseeding”, would need to be done twice a year, in the spring and fall, otherwise the turf could become too dense and lodging or thatch problems could arise.
Additionally, ryegrass usually only persists in warmer climates and will eventually die out when the temperatures are too cold or too hot.
Which is the St. Augustine grass?
St. Augustine grass, also known by its scientific name Stenotaphrum secundatum, is a warm-season perennial grass native to tropical, coastal areas of the world. It is the most popular grass grown in the southern and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, particularly in Florida and South Texas.
It is an aggressive grower, forming a medium- to high-density turf capable of crowding out weeds and preventing erosion of soil. The leaves of St. Augustine grass are broad and flat with a light green to blue-green to dark green color, with a slightly hairy texture.
The leaves are arranged on slender, arching stems that become woody with age. St. Augustine grass is usually propagated through plugs, sprigs or vegetative runners. It can be established from seed, but is not as common because it generally does not produce as high of a quality of grass as vegetative propagation.
The best growing season for St. Augustine grass is from spring through summer when temperatures are warm, humidity levels are high and rainfall is plentiful. It requires full sun, but is relatively tolerant of shade, making it an ideal choice for lawns in the southern United States.
It is a salt-tolerant turfgrass that can be grown on very close to the coast. It does require more frequent fertilizing, but is extremely resilient and drought-tolerant once established.
Are there different types of St. Augustine?
Yes, there are different types of St. Augustine grass. One of the most common varieties is called Raleigh St. Augustine, a turfgrass that is native to the southeastern U. S. Its deep green blades and robust root system makes it a popular choice for lawns.
Another common type is Empire Zoysia, which is a hybrid to St. Augustine grass and originally from Asia. It is known for its dense, thick growth and dark blue-green blades. It tolerates heat and drought better than most varieties of St.
Augustine grass. Other popular types include Floratam, Bitterblue, Seville, and Palmetto. Each variety has its own unique characteristics, such as shade tolerance, temperature tolerance, and traffic tolerance, so make sure to do some research before choosing one.
Additionally, all St. Augustine varieties need to be mowed regularly with a sharp mower blade, otherwise it can damage the grass blades.
Is all St. Augustine grass the same?
No, not all St. Augustine grass is the same. Although there are many varieties of St. Augustine grass, they generally fall into two different categories – common St. Augustine grass and improved cultivars. Common St.
Augustine grass is the most typical and can be found in most areas of the United States and is characterized by its dark green to blue-green hues and wide, coarse blades. Improved cultivars of St. Augustine grass are more refined varieties developed in recent years and have enhanced features such as superior resistance to pests, weeds, and disease as well as superior cold and drought tolerance.
Additionally, improved cultivars are generally found in a variety of shades ranging from bright green to deep blue-green. It is important to research and carefully consider which type of St. Augustine grass you need for your outdoor space as this will have a large impact on the overall appearance, health, and longevity of your lawn.
Can I put St. Augustine sod over my old grass?
Yes, you can put St. Augustine sod over your existing grass. The old grass will need to be removed before laying the sod, though. To do this, use a sod cutter to cut the existing grass into small, 1-foot squares and then pull them out.
It is also a good idea to test the soil to make sure it is suitable for St. Augustine grass. If the soil is too acidic, it needs to be adjusted with lime or other approved soil amendments. Lastly, make sure to water the sod and lawn daily for two weeks after installation.
This will help the sod root into the soil and become established. Following these steps will ensure the best results when laying St. Augustine sod.
What is the difference between Raleigh and Palmetto St. Augustine grass?
Raleigh and Palmetto St. Augustine grasses are two distinct turfgrass varieties with different characteristics. Raleigh is a common strain of St. Augustine grass from the Floratam genus, and Palmetto is a hybrid of Raleigh and another widely used St.
Augustine grass variety, Bitterblue.
Raleigh grass has a dark green color and is best suited for areas with warm climates and periods of moderate rainfall. Its thick blades hold up relatively well to wear and heavy foot traffic. It is both drought- and cold-tolerant, making it a popular choice for many homeowners and landscapers.
Palmetto, on the other hand, is a warmer-season grass, tolerant of cold temperatures but susceptible to colder winter temperatures. Palmetto grass has a slightly less dense texture than Raleigh, with a bright green color.
It typically requires more water and fertilizer than Raleigh and is not as durable against heavy foot traffic. It also has longer blades than Raleigh, making it more prone to scalping.
How do I make my St. Augustine grass thicker and greener?
If you want to make your St. Augustine grass thicker and greener, here are some simple steps you can take:
1. Start with a soil test – Testing your soil type and levels of important nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium helps to determine which fertilizer will be most beneficial for your particular lawn.
Doing a soil test every three years is recommended for optimal lawn health.
2. Aeration – Aerating your lawn once a year gives the roots of your grass more access to oxygen, fertilizer, and water and helps promote new growth.
3. Apply the right fertilizer – Fertilizers provide essential nutrients needed for healthy grass and should be applied with a drop or broadcast spreader. A slow-release nitrogen fertilizer designed for St.
Augustine grass is ideal.
4. Mow correctly – To achieve thick and lush growth, you should mow your St. Augustine grass with a sharp blade every week (or every five to seven days during the growing season). The cutting height should be set as high as possible (ideally 3 inches or more).
5. Water consistently – Make sure your St. Augustine grass is getting at least 1 inch of water every week. Watering deeply and infrequently will encourage strong root growth.
6. Implement IPM – Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should play a major role in caring for your lawn. Be on the lookout for any signs of fungal diseases or insect damage and take immediate action as needed.
By following these steps, you should be able to make your St. Augustine grass thicker and greener.