It is not recommended you use herbicides anywhere near fine fescue as they wont be able to handle them well. The best time to establish a St. Augustine lawn is in spring and summer. Of course, each one is slightly different and can suit different needs. St. Augustine grass costs around $0.55 per square foot or $250 per pallet. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This leads many people to wonder which grass types are better at keeping weeds at bay. Like Buffalo grass, St Augustine is a perennial grass, which means that it will come back every year. In addition to this, St Augustine will not survive in alkaline soil while Buffalo grass can tolerate slightly alkaline conditions. No. Buffalo grass has fine, feathery blades and is more blue-green than the deep green of St. Augustine. Obviously, youll never find that one turf that suits all circumstances, and that goes for Bahia grass and St. Augustine alike. Because both options have their own unique set of advantages, there is no clear answer as to which one is better. Buffalo grass has sterile seed, so the chances of Buffalo grass from seed are extremely minimal. On top of this, certain things can cause Buffalo grass to go dormant during the winter. Centipede grass is a popular southeast grass that needs plenty of sunlight. Outside of very specific conditions, its not worth planting. Need professional help with your project? For example, you can mow your lawn a bit shorter than usual and fertilize it with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Before we jump into the difference between these two types of grass, one thing Buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass have in common is that they are two of the most popular sod blends. However, it doesnt come with the problems associated with invasive grasses like Kikuyu. A lackluster, patchy yard can make for an eyesore. Both of these types of grass have their pros and cons, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. For those interested in creating a more native, wildlife friendly landscape, buffalograss is the natural choice. To learn more, check out our complete guide to Buffalo Grass. You only have a choice of plugs or sod for St Augustine, as seed germinates poorly, making it more expensive to get started than seed. How often should St Augustine grass be watered? Like Buffalo grass, St Augustine is a perennial and does not need to be replaced very often. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This warm-season grass forms deep roots which allows it to sustain better in sandy or infertile soils. If you shop through the links on YardThyme, we may earn an affiliate's commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Just as St. Augustine, the most strategic way to combat unwanted grasses is to treat your lawn before it becomes an issue - first with a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring, then again in the fall. Once in place, it establishes itself quickly. Both Buffalo Grass and St Augustine spread through stolons, although St Augustine is much more prone to thatch problems than Buffalo Grass. 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. Fescue doesnt need to be mowed that often, and given that you should be aiming to take no more than third of the blade tip each time, I would recommend waiting until the fescue is between 3-3 3/4 inches before breaking out the mower. It is a warm-season lawn grass that is popular for cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions. However, it does need a fair bit of moisture to achieve optimum health, and still doesnt do at all well in colder temperatures. Palmetto vs st augustine grass. However, despite this and a few other similarities, there are significant differences between these two grass varieties. Will Buffalo Grass Overtake A St Augustine Lawn? As with all lawns, your best defense against weeds is to use good management techniques to encourage a healthy lawn. Similarly, St. Augustine does not seed, so St. Augustine grass has to be installed via St. Augustine sod rolls, St. Augustine grass plugs or St. Augustine sprigs. Most importantly, proper lawn care and maintenance is the number one method for prevention of pests and weeds in both St. Augustine and Bermuda grass. We all know that weeds can be a real pain to deal with. Though centipede grass originates from Southeast Asia, it quickly spread across the U.S. in the early 20th century and continues to be a staple choice for lawns today. St. Augustine grass and centipede grass are two of the most common warm-season grasses. Buffalo grass is a good choice for people who live in hot, dry climates. While buffalo grass does have a few advantages over st Augustine, there are also some downsides to consider when deciding which type of grass you want for your lawn. Whenever looking up information, make sure that it references the right scientific name and which country the info comes from. Overall, the choice between Buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass will depend on the specific climate, soil conditions, immediate conditions, and desired outcomes (i.e. While both spread to create new blades of grass, rhizomes are underground while stolons are above ground. The Big Freeze! Buffalo Grass needs full sun and has very little shade tolerance as it evolved to grow among other grasses. Though St. Augustine grass can also experience damage from foot traffic, it has a higher resistance to wear and tear. But as compared to the tall fescue grass it is much more sensitive. High resistance for both insects and disease. Vancouver BC V6Z 0E2 This guide will cover all the ins and outs of common Buffalo grass identification. Also, if you live in an area with heavy winters, st. Augustine may not be a good choice for you; it tends to die back in cold weather, leaving bare patches where snow collects. Transition Zone, Behaves Like Warm-Season. This is because it grows more densely, which makes it harder for weeds to take root. Known to withstand salt, heat, and shade, St. Augustine is a prime choice for these warmer coastal regions. These pesky plants can quickly take over our lawns if were not careful. There are several types of St. Augustine grass, including palmetto, citrablue, Seville, and floratam. How to Protect Grass From Frost & What to Do, top tips on how to properly mow your lawn, best chemical free weed solutions for your lawn. link to Dormant Grass vs Dead Grass How to Tell the Difference & What to Do? A good sprinkler system is highly advisable especially if you live in a region with little rainfall. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Its quick to brown when the first frosts arrive, and slow to green when the winter finally ends. Avoid using herbicides as Buffalo Grass is sensitive to chemicals. One way to do that, is to know when to aerate your lawn, so follow that link for some more top lawn care advice no matter the species of grass. For people on the market for low-maintenance grass, Buffalo grass is a great option. Feb 17, 2023, Weeds and Grass Safe Lawn Care Guide This makes it a versatile grass, but there's other warm-season grasses that like shade without so many drawbacks. Always check the scientific name when looking for information. Figuring out what type of grass you have is the first step to caring for it or dealing with problems. Key Differences Between Bahia Grass and St. Augustine Grass, Characteristics, Growing Conditions and Appearance, Planting and Caring for St. Augustine Grass. Types of Grass in Australia: Complete Lawn Guide, Dwarf Lemon Trees: Eureka vs Lisbon vs Meyer, How to Block the Neighbours View of Your Backyard. Youll often find they are regularly blended to stand a better chance of survival. The main difference between Bahia grass and St. Augustine grass is the color and shape of leaves. Whilst predominantly limited in terms of popularity in these areas, this grass type offers great drought and heat resistance as well as a durability and low maintenance. St. Augustine, or "Buffalo" grass, is known for its coarse texture and density which create a bounce when walked on. However, St. Augustine grass usually has a deeper, darker green color compared to St. Augustine. However, St. Augustine grass requires regular fertilizer and pesticides, as its prone to disease and can be fussy in a nonideal environment. And they also taper to a point at the end. All in all, if you live in an area with a warm climate, you can expect Buffalo grass to stay green all year long. Too much fertilizer can damage Buffalo Grass and encourage weeds. Which One is Better Bahia Grass or St. Augustine? Not to be confused with buffalo grass, St. Augustine grass now grows across the world in sunny, coastal regions like Africa and Australia, where its also called buffalo turf and buffalo grass., High traffic may cause dead, brown patches, Knowing your grass is the key to keeping it green. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. St Augustine grass is popular in several other islands and countries from Africa to Australia. Its blades are also narrower than St. Augustine grass. St. Augustine is a thirsty plant, and it needs regular watering to maintain a healthy appearance. Keeping irrigation and fertilizer to a minimum will starve out many weed species. taking 14 to 30 days to germinate from seed, other warm-season grasses that like shade, drought-hardy, meaning it can survive extended dry periods. Bahia grass can be grown through either sod or seed and requires little attention as it is usually very self-sufficient. If youre looking for a type of grass that doesnt require a lot of work, Buffalo grass is the better choice. 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. That means It needs a whole day of sunlight. St Augustine prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, so long as it gets about 4 hours of sun per day. St. Augustine, or Buffalo grass, is known for its coarse texture and density which create a bounce when walked on. No matter which type of grass you choose, youll be sure to have a beautiful lawn that you can enjoy for years to come! This grass is native to southeastern and central parts of the U.S. and Central America. In this series of articles, we take a look at different grass species, pair them off against each other, so you can decide which one is best for your yard. No, Buffalo grass does not need to be replaced. Bermuda grass is drought-resistant and can withstand hot weather without water in the summer, whereas St. Augustine grass needs a lot of water to thrive. For example, some homeowners may choose an ornamental grass species for their yard to help promote biodiversity in their yards. If you have pets or children or enjoy doing outdoor activities in your yard, this grass may not hold up. However, it will dominate if its optimum conditions are met, while other grasses needs arent being fulfilled but the same can be said for almost all grass types. 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. Many types of insects and bugs attack Buffalo grass, as well as common fungal infections. Among the native species that you can find of St. Augustine grass is Floratam. But as other grasses have become more popular, people have realized that St Augustine comes with a long roster of problems. But in colder areas, the grass may turn brown during the winter months. Zoysia grasses are usually mowed at a height of .5-2 inches whereas St. Augustines are generally mowed at a height of 2-4 inches. Like Buffalo grass, St. Augustine grass has excellent shade tolerance as well as adaptability to dry, hot conditions. How to Make Grass Thicker, Greener and Fuller The Essential Guide. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance type of grass while St Augustine requires a bit more care and attention. A St. Augustine lawn should be mown to a height of 2" to 2.5". You can tell the difference between Buffalo and Kikuyu grass by their appearance: Also, if you dig up Kikuyu turf, you may be able to identify the under-ground rhizomes, or runners, which arent present on Buffalo. Over-fertilizing the lawn can burn or kill grasses, so be sure to buy a fertilizer that is appropriate for Buffalo grass. However, Buffalo grass is generally better at preventing them from taking over. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Other than that, caring for St. Augustine grass is pretty straight forward and doesnt require a lot of effort. In leafy gardens in cool season areas, fescue can be just the ticket for overseeding or patching up bald spots in your turf. And be sure to keep your mower blade in top condition with one of these lawnmower blade sharpeners. This grass does best when fertilized monthly and is not as needy as grasses such as Bermuda, which requires a heftier maintenance schedule. Most visually attractive: Centipede grass. Can you mix Fescue and St Augustine grass? St Augustine needs a lot of fertilizer to stay happy. Here are the characteristics to look out for when trying to identify Buffalo grass: The blades are broad and thin, with a midrib running down the middle of the leaf. 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. The Best Installation Process But as long as the roots are still alive, the grass will come back in the springtime. Similarly, if you have clay or loamy soil, St Augustine would be a better choice. Dethatching may need to be done once or twice a year. And until next time, I wish you the very best of luck with your lawns! This broad-bladed, medium-green turf grass thrives in sunny locations . Its not as tolerant to traffic as you might expect, and is better to look at than it is play upon. Types of Gardening Tools The Essential Guide to What You Need in Your Shed! Different Types of Lawn Aerators Explained Holy Lawns, Batman! As we have seen, Buffalo grass is a very slow-growing type of grass. Buffalo grass needs water on a regular basis to survive, but over-watering can lead to fungal diseases. If you love to walk barefoot on the lawn or have children playing on it, then go with Buffalo Grass. The Ultimate Lawn Care Calendar Month-By-Month Guide to a Beautiful Lawn, Types of Lawn Fertilizers How to Choose the Right One, Types of Grass Seed: How to Choose the Right One. When it comes to irrigation, St. Augustine needs a lot of attention. Centipede Grass. You can mow St Augustine low at 2 to 3 inches tall for a more manicured look or left longer to reduce mowing. The stems of this grass lay flush to the ground and held in place by its thick and fibrous roots. Sitemap | About Us | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact Me | Privacy Policy. Native to North America, Buffalo Grass is uniquely adapted to handle everything that the tricky and unpredictable Transition Zone can throw at it. This means that youll have to mow your lawn less often if you choose buffalo over st Augustine. Address: It prefers alkaline soils, although it can grow in slightly acidic soils as well. Its a soft grass, which makes it enjoyable as a tactile, roll-around option, ideal in areas where children (and adults) like to play. The truth is that both types of grasses can be susceptible to weeds.