It should be known that St. Augustines are the most shade tolerant warm season turfgrass varieties available. Those other varieties will run right over the top of the fine-bladed Zoysia grasses because they grow so slowly. Zoysia is a more versatile turf grass than St. Augustine, and it is fairly low maintenance in the right climate. Zoysia doesn’t need to be mowed as often as St. Augustine, and it is tolerant of a wide range of poor soils. Zoysia does not typically perform as well in shaded areas, so growth will be limited by the factor of shade. When it comes to installing any type of grass or turf to your Florida lawn, our team at Taylor Anthony has you covered. Using the popular Zoysia Empire as an example, this grass establishes more quickly than some other Zoysia cultivars, is robust and creates a tight carpet of soft, green grass. St. Augustine grass is a hardy turf with a thick blade that grows readily in Florida. And when well maintained, this grass can also look great on a property. Many who move to the South mistakenly believe that St. Augustine lawns can be installed the same way that their northern bluegrass or fescue lawns were installed. Zoysia grass has more general maintenance requirements; given that it’s more vulnerable to diseases but requires less frequent mowing and fertilization than St. Augustine grass. IF you do NOT want to kill your existing lawn.. then you should consider planting zoysia grass plugs and NOT seeds. Both Bermuda and St. Augustine are warm-season grasses and will thrive a lot better in warm conditions. Learn warm season grass identification and grass care. The landscape guy recommended Zoysia in the well shaded sections of the yard and said it is better shade tolerant than St. Augustine. I really don't like the look of the full dormant winter warm seasons but these grasses seem to take the drought easier. You must log in or register to reply here. As zoysia is a slow-growing grass, it is … JavaScript is disabled. I would have 100% zoysia. A St. Augustine lawn should typically be mowed at least once a week, whereas a Zoysia lawn can be left for up to two weeks without mowing. Irrigate 3-4 times per week during the summer to keep fescue healthy and encourage a deep root system. Zoysia is a popular choice for homeowners because it can tolerate shade, drought, cold and traffic. The Palisades Zoysia is one of the more aggressive growers so St. Augustine and Palisades Zoysia, they kind of duke it out. It does not hold up to foot traffic as well as zoysia, and it does not fill in as fast after aeration or damage. Call us today at (904) 230-3386. For most homeowners, St. Augustine grass is the go-to. Zoysia grass enjoys full exposure to the sun and good amounts of rain. One other perk of Zoysia, is that certain types are chinch bug resistant. That’s how tough and resilient this grass is. Zoysia grass forms a lawn that feels like a thick, prickly carpet. Lawns made up of mixed varieties can improve hardiness. You’ve probably seen fine, thin, dark-green grass that feels like soft carpet to the touch. Zoysia grass is more expensive to establish, compared to St. Augustine. It is a big thatch producer and requires much moisture. Most sites are a mix of conditions, so a suitable grass would logically be a mix of grass varieties. Whether you’re replanting an existing lawn or choosing grass for a newly constructed landscape, you might be wondering: What type of grass is best for my Florida property? I'd really like more info on eliminating the Bermuda. It’s surprising that St Augustine is as popular as it is because it is actually not very drought hearty and it consumes quite a bit of water. This short video will explain the difference. One such strain is Empire Zoysia. A golden-brown, crispy lawn in the winter is the norm with a warm-season grass like zoysia (Zoysia japonica). We are leaning towards St. Augustine because those lawns look better than the Zoysia lawns and it is less expensive. They will be overtaken by almost any other grass variety that you plant nearby, whether it's a Palisades Zoysia, or a St. Augustine, or Bermuda. It handles dethatching and aeration well, so if you top-dress each year with compost, you may be able to skip fertilizing and irrigation. Emerald zoysia is a warm season grass prized for its tolerance of heat, cold, drought and foot traffic. It can also be found in the North, but will turn brown once the weather turns cold. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove the dead material left from winter dormancy… St. Augustine grass grows best in the warmth of spring and summer, when high temperatures are normally 80-100 °F. I have a TTTF lawn seeded with a blend of top cultivars, 3rd Millennium, Rambler, and Cochise IV in the Charlotte NC - Fort Mill SC area. It is slightly more salt tolerant than St. Augustine, which makes it a better choice in drier climates that may have salt buildup and less annual rainfall. If your St Augustine grass isn’t growing as quickly as you like or is starting to turn yellow, it’s time to take action. A good non-selective choice for spot treating would be … however, we hear that Zoysia uses less water and you mow it less. And when well maintained, this grass can also look great on a property. St. Augustine Grass; St. Augustine- This grass does not tolerate a lot of traffic. With different blade textures and winter cold tolerances, these two grasses are not often deliberately grown together -- one species will be the weed and the other desirable. Plant St. Augustine grass plugs or sod in full sun, at least 90 days before your region’s first estimated fall frost, to give the grass plenty of time to establish. Both Zoysia and St. Augustine grass offer some great features. It will not grow with any other grass to start with. There are not specific products labeled to kill St. Augustine grass in zoysia, however many folks will either spot treat with a non-selective herbicide, or they will use a product that is labeled as safe for zoysia but not for St. Augustine. If you do, note that Bermuda grass can easily outgrow St. Augustine grass … My brother has both in his yard and his experience has been that the St. Augustine is encroaching faster into the Zoysia than vice versa. Also, because it is maintained at a height of 4 inches, it requires less mowing than other varieties. Learn about Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, st augustine grass, and centipede grass. The best fertilizers for Zoysia grass have a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium, or N, P and K. Can I Mix Zoysia & Rye Grasses?. Zoysia is found mostly in and from the middle part of the U.S. and east toward the Carolinas. Better yet, these species have a low fertilizer requirement. Zoysia likes to be fed regularly, and consistent fertilizing will keep its root system healthy and resistant to disease. Bermuda grass is second in popularity, and Zoysia (a fairly recent addition to Texas grasses) is gaining ground. You will need to till the area, then put the zoysia down. Chokes Out Weeds Once established, the dense turf created by zoysia significantly reduces summer weeds. The mower setting should be between 2 to 2½ inches high. With a mixed lawn you’ll have to work to two separate fertilizer protocols, as St Augustine needs more Nitrogen than does Centipede. Your success rate seeding zoysia in an established lawn will be slim to none. With dark green, medium blades, it is very durable and requires significantly less maintenance. I mow three zoysia yards and I cut them at three inches. Fescues can be mowed from 3”-3.5”, while zoysia should be mowed at 1”-2”. Of the types of grasses for Texas, St Augustine is a long time favorite. Using the popular Zoysia Empire as an example, this grass establishes more quickly than some other Zoysia cultivars, is hardier and creates a tight carpet of soft, green grass. I have also heard you need to take the grass area to pure dirt to grow zoysia. You should think about planting St. Augustine if your lawn drains well, receives consistent rainfall or irrigation, and has shaded areas. Zoysia can regrow from small roots left in the soil, so pulling out the grass may compound the issue. Also a black Lab that is always outdoors and kids that can’t wait for grass. This grass spreads through a system of stolons and rhizomes and turns brown during its winter dormancy period. For most homeowners, St. Augustine grass is the go-to. WillR – posted 29 July 2002 19:08. Choosing a good fertilizer for St Augustine grass can help bring it back to life quickly and prevent problems in the future. This height reduction should be done just before the lawn greens up, which usually occurs during late April or early May. No viable seeds are currently available. St. Augustine is a good turf grass for hot, humid, coastal climates with sandy soil. When to Plant St. Augustine Grass. Warm-season grasses are generally creeping grasses, which means they send out runners to put down roots and establish new leaves. The growth habits of Zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass are quite different. You are suppose to allow zoysia to grow for two years before mixing it with fescue. Zoysia grass is known for its ability to stand up to heat, drought, heavy foot traffic and a variety of other challenges. per 1000 sq. And grass growth even depends on the type of Zoysia or St. Augustine grass you choose. Both zoysia and St. Augustine grasses are pretty shade tolerant compared to other turfgrass varieties. ft. after the last frost in the spring. Whether Zoysia is right for you depends on where you live, your lawn care goals, and how you use your lawn. Expect slow germination, very slow without water. Because it is so aggressive, it must be mowed frequently to keep it under control. Mowing:Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summer mowing height. Both warm-season grasses, zoysia and St. Augustine grasses relish warm soil and air temperatures. Zoysia grass does well in full sun and is tolerant of partial shade. It is a hybridized grass seed combining zoysia japonica and zoysia tenuifolia to create fine texture, more rapid growth and cold tolerance. St. Augustine grass is a type of warm season grass that is popularly grown in the southern regions of the United States. You can choose either of the two or mix the seeds and sod when planting your lawn. According to the University of Texas, this grass is native to the regions surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. In Lake Wylie, without irrigation. Seed zoysia at 2 Lbs. The growth habits of Zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass are quite different. Your cutting height should be fine. I'm sure fescue look's good in the spring and fall but you will never have nice grass in the heat. Commercial or residential, Taylor Anthony is prepared with the landscaping solution that is ideal for your situation. This is Zoysia grass, and there are several different varieties. Dont know about your soil temps there. It will tolerate a wider range of temperature than zoysia, but it must have good drainage and consistent irrigation in order to thrive. Agrostis is right about the amount 2lbs per 1000. CitraBlue and Palmetto® St. Augustine are the best grasses for shade. Augustine yard out to Zoysia. We say EMPIRE Turf is "Drought Tough". It is very slow-growing—it can take more than a year to establish a lawn of zoysia grass. Zoysia & St. Augustine Growth Habits. The growth habits of Zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass are quite different. Mow at a taller height to help shade out zoysia. If you see a St. Augustine lawn, it is most likely to be Floratam St. Augustine. This is because a lot more goes into the preparation process for installing Zoysia grass on a lawn. © 2020 Taylor Anthony 365 All Rights Reserved. Growth Habits of Zoysia and St. Augustine Grasses Both St. Augustine and zoysia are warm-season grasses, which means they have a similar growth habit. And grass growth even depends on the type of Zoysia or St. Augustine grass you choose. The opposite has happened on the side of my office building here at Houston Grass. For instance- you have to lay a base that’s a mix of silica sand and Canadian peat moss. Zoysia Grass is a popular choice for Texas homeowners, because it can adapt to various types of soil. For best results keep these … Gardeners enjoy this grass type for its compressed grass blades that contribute a dense texture for lawns. And grass growth even depends on the type of Zoysia or St. Augustine grass you choose. In its optimal growing zones, this tough grass can deliver a beautiful, dense lawn with very little input from you. Click to see full answer. But that is up here in TN. Fertilizing Zoysia Grass. You need to seed warm season grass (zoysia) in the spring. Planting zoysia grass plugs will take longer to covert to a complete zoysia lawn, but eventually the zoysia grass will overtake existing grass. Correct. Easy to maintain, and with a wide blade, it does lack some disease resistance and shade tolerance found in other types. Unfortunately, sod growers produce only the most popular varieties which, except for a few, are mono-cultures. Winter weed's in dormant zoysia can be unsightly. The most common warm-season species are bermudagrass, buffalo grass, centipede grass, seashore paspalum, St. Augustine and Zoysia grass. Let’s compare them so you can make the best choice for your landscape. We need shade tolerance and wear resistance. I do not recommend overseeding warm season grass with cool season grass (fescue,rye) in the winter. I have also read you should put in zoysia around mid May to Mid June. St. Augustine needs more frequent mowing, irrigation, and fertilization than zoysia. Amazoy will choke out all existing cultivated and wild grasses, including Bermuda (often called wire grass) and St. Augustine. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Zoysia Grass . Finally you’ll have to sprig or sod the St Augustine areas, as I don’t think seeds are available. It cannot thrive in areas where temperatures dip … A healthy lawn requires the right grass for our temperamental North Texas climate. While it’s not a grass that beckons a barefoot walk, we love that St. Augustine grass is reliable and low maintenance. This has produced a great looking lawn but with the drought we are in and the seemingly fact that my yard never gets any rain when it does rain, I am having to irrigate the lawn an extreme amount to keep the grass from browning and thinning out (which it is in some areas of the front yard with lots of full sun). The St. Augustine's lack of resilience combined with the Bermuda's unwavering attempt at world dominance, has brought me to accept both being in my lawn and pamper the St. Augustine more. Sometimes it can be joked that it will grow on concrete. Be careful not to set the mower too low, as it may scalp the lawn. All the major brands make fertilizers that work well for Zoysia turf. 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