Compared to other warm season grasses such as Bermuda and zoysia, St. Augustine has a higher drought tolerance, and will remain greener for longer in hot conditions. Andy Gibson. Its blades are also narrower than St. Augustine grass. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. It withstands high heat, it withstands cold winters, and it even can withstand long dry spells. Buffalo Grass prefers clay soils and can withstand compaction better. I write about everything about lawn care and gardening and the dread-it-but-still-need-to-do-it chores around the yard, like cleaning out the gutter guards. Buffalo grass is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases, especially weeds. St. Augustine sod and Buffalo grass offer an array of benefits to lawn owners. It needs little, if any, fertilizer and likes. 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. Hi! And they also taper to a point at the end. The tall fescue species is well-adapted to all types of soil and it can easily tolerate pH levels ranging from 5.0 to 7.0 with ease. This is because Buffalo only has above-ground stolons, while Kikuyu also uses under-ground rhizomes. The main difference between Bahia grass and St. Augustine grass is the color and shape of leaves. As mentioned, youll find that fescue grass is often mixed with other species, as it wont take over and crowd out other variants. Feb 15, 2023, Kurapia Ground Cover Stress Testing Vlog What Happens if Grass Gets too Much Nitrogen? As with all lawns, your best defense against weeds is to use good management techniques to encourage a healthy lawn. Zoysia vs. St. Augustine Grass Mowing Heights and Growth Habits. I look forward to hearing your experience with these grass species as well as which one you thought won the debate! Fescue, or fine fescue as its often known, is a broad term given to a number of different fescue grasses that are popular in the northern parts of the US, and more temperate climes around the world. But in colder areas, the grass may turn brown during the winter months. Will Buffalo Grass Overtake A St Augustine Lawn? Its quick to brown when the first frosts arrive, and slow to green when the winter finally ends. You dont need to go out of your way to care for this grass species as its not susceptible to common lawn pests or diseases. Follow along to keep your yard up to date! Only then will you be able to make an informed decision about which type of grass is right for you. This grass finds hotter weather conditions favorable, therefore, is the definitive turf choice in Florida and central Texas where gardens are more likely to be exposed to full sunlight. Some of this is because St Augustine does best in sandy soils, which need to be water more shallowly and more frequently than other soils as water quickly drains away, and in part because of its shallow root structure. It is not drought tolerant at all, needing twice as much water as Bermuda grass. Pros and cons aside, its safe to say that centipede grass and St. Augustine grass have qualities that could make them the right fit for a home in a warm-season zone. Other lawn care tools that can help prevent thatch problems include dethatching rakes and vertical mowers. Even better, its extremely low maintenance and does best with benign neglect. It gets its name from the fact that it was once an important food source for buffalos. However, having said all that, for the sheer fact that it is much easier to maintain in the long run, I would say fescue edges it. In fact, some grass species might be even better for your yard, depending on your personal preferences or region. But as soon as conditions improve, the grass will start growing again. If left to grow, centipede grass will top out at 4 to 5". However, if you choose Zoysia for your lawn over St. Augustine, keep your lawn mower well-oiled. However, there are some key differences between these two grasses: Buffalo grass generally has a relatively brighter green color with wide blades. St. Augustine grass and Bahia grass are two warm-season turf grasses that both grow well in warm and sunny conditions. Because both options have their own unique set of advantages, there is no clear answer as to which one is better. Ideal is silt-clay. Commonly used on putting greens, buffalo grass is a favorite option of golf courses that want to maintain that perfect green without having to water constantly or worry about other factors such as weeds or pests invading their lawns. Propagation: Bermuda grass can be grown by seed, while St. Augustine grass only grows from transplanted sod or plugs. If you love Buffalo grass, youll be happy to know that there are many varieties. The seeds can self-propagate when dropped onto the soil and although it is a slow process from there, the grass can easily sustain itself into maturity. However, these grasses are both pretty top-notch and depending on what youre looking for in a grass these can both offer some great advantages. 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. This grass does best when fertilized monthly and is not as needy as grasses such as Bermuda, which requires a heftier maintenance schedule. link to Signs of Lawn Heat Stress & How to Treat It? This type of grass is a good choice for people who live near the ocean or in other areas where there is a lot of salt in the air. When it comes to irrigation, St. Augustine needs a lot of attention. (Answered!). However, in some cases, the blades of the grass may turn brown and die off during the winter months. Can Buffalo grass overtake it? Growing fine fescue requires a soil pH level of between 5.0 to 6.5. While they both have a very similar look, some differences may give you an idea of which one will work best for your lawn. Its unique blue-green shade is an attraction to those who want a fresh and healthy looking lawn for long periods of time, but in winter this grass does have the risk of running into a certain level of dormancy when growth slows down, and the grass color fades. Types of Weed Killers How to Choose the Right One. Fescue grasses are most commonly found in a mix of other species, such as Kentucky Bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Another bonus of this grass is its high shade tolerance. However, remember that maintenance costs for St. Augustine grass may lead you to spend more in the long run than centipede grass. St. Augustine grass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum ), also known as buffalo turf in Australia and buffalo grass in South Africa, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. When it comes to lawns, people have very strong opinions on what makes a great lawn, and what it takes to make a lawn thrive. It is one of the most common varieties of grass in Australia, but understanding how to identify Buffalo grass can be difficult for beginners. And you must always be keeping an eye out for disease, pests, and bugs. Feb 17, 2023, Weeds and Grass Safe Lawn Care Guide While Buffalo Grass is often confused with St Augustine, theyre very different grasses. Vancouver BC V6Z 0E2 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. Newer Post . Many homeowners love its versatility, saying that when well maintained, it does not attract weeds or pests as other grasses can. And thats just the tip of the iceberg for differences. Different Types of Lawn Aerators Explained Holy Lawns, Batman! Visit almost any home along the Gulf Coast in the US, and theres a strong chance the yard will be rocking St. Augustine grass. Fescue Grass St Augustine is a type of warm-season grass that is native to Africa and Asia. However, each grass . Bermuda Vs Tall Fescue: Whats Better For My Lawn? It is considered one of the most shade-tolerant grasses of St Augustine's grasses. Two of these opinions are which type of grass is best (Buffalo or St Augustine), and if theres any difference between them at all. Buffalo Grass establishes it slowly, taking 14 to 30 days to germinate from seed and then up to 3 years to establish itself fully as a lawn. We are a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Avoid using herbicides containing 2,4-D as St Augustine is sensitive to this chemical You may kill your grass along with the weed. Prairie, Stampede and 619 are the common selections. Zoysia grass has the most shade tolerance after St. Augustine grass. Suitable for non-irrigated lawns and places with low rainfall. St. Augustine will need the application of a suitable fertilizer, and if the soil has a higher pH, then iron supplements might need to be applied. In my opinion, choosing which one is better depends on the type of grass you prefer; Bahia grass is known to be softer and lighter under the feet whereas St. Augustine can be rather coarse or rough. Soil pH: 5.0 to 8.5. If you hear that Buffalo Grass needs more water than Bermuda, then theyre actually referring to St Augustine. In the United States, Buffalo grass is called St Augustine. It can tolerate broad pH ranges, from inland acidic soils to coastal high pH soils. My name's Gibson. When it comes to soil, these grasses are complete opposites. St. Augustine grass thrives in full sun and shade, making it suitable for yards with varying levels of sunlight. They are two extremely different grasses. Plugs can help speed up the process. St. Augustine, or Buffalo grass, is known for its coarse texture and density which create a bounce when walked on. In addition to looking great and being low maintenance, buffalo grass has other characteristics that make it appealing to homeowners who love its distinct look (and unique texture). How to Identify Kikuyu Grass (Australian Guide), The Best Lawn Fertiliser for Kikuyu, Couch, and Buffalo, What is Sir Walter Buffalo Grass? Andy Gibson. The Big Freeze! Buffalo grass has sterile seed, so the chances of Buffalo grass from seed are extremely minimal. This means that if you live in an area where its hot and dry, or you dont water your lawn often, then st Augustine may be a better choice for you. Zoysia grass costs twice the price of St. Augustine grass on average and it has thinner blades and a deeper green appearance. (Answered!). They . Dethatching may need to be done once or twice a year. How to Make Grass Thicker, Greener and Fuller The Essential Guide. If the lawn gets little water, has full sun, and is rarely fertilized, then Buffalo Grass will outcompete St Augustine. 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. Centipede grass is a popular southeast grass that needs plenty of sunlight. Buffalo Grass vs Bermuda | Whats Better For My Lawn? The grass is coarse texture grass, and it has flat blades. Sod delivery fresh from the farm 1-800-381-8163, Posted by Razy Garcia-Sanchez on Jan 13, 2023. 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. Buffalo grass is a turf variety that can spread quickly. For example, you can mow your lawn a bit shorter than usual and fertilize it with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. You can also read our St. Augustine vs Buffalo grass article here. Carpet grass is also known as mat grass and has a creeping, stoloniferous growth habit. Sow in late summer/early fall, when soil temperatures are the best for growth consistently just above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but without the blazing heat and stress of the summer months. This allows it to be aggressive in its environment as some plant species arent able to cultivate once Bahia grass has established itself. This actually makes it relatively easy to start a lawn with this grass, as plugs of St. Augustine will spread quickly to cover bare spots and form a nice, even surface. Since I have a fescue lawn Im slightly biased. Well in todays post were going to talk about both kinds of grass and Ill go over some major differences that may help you make your decision if you have not already done so. I like to think of myself as the Bond of the backyard, that is if yard work ever became sexy. Its like comparing chalk and cheese. While centipede grass is more attractive, one of its downfalls is its susceptibility to foot traffic. Although, neither of these types of grass is known for being particularly weed-attracting. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Proper maintenance will aid in curbing its invasive behavior through proper watering techniques, to regular mowing. For instance, homeowners living in hot, dry climates would be better off with Buffalo grass. Additionally, its roots dont grow as deep into the ground, making it easier for weeds to compete for resources. 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