St Augustine is a vegetative grass that is only available for sale as sod or as plugs; you cannot purchase St Augustine seed. Both St. Augustine and zoysia are warm-season grasses with roughly the same growing regions. St. Augustine grass is a warm-season grass that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Zoysia grass vs. St. Augustine for heavy shade. This is a small back yard, facing east, with a large fence … Standard lawn grass species are cool-season grasses that thrive during the cool, moist weather of spring and fall. The source is the book Turfgrass Management. Now that you’ve gone through Zoysia vs Bermuda difference, you know which one suits your lawn best. Zoysia may need dethatching every few years, but this can be reduced by practicing annual core aeration. Advantages of Seville St. Augustine grass. Zoysia is a low-growing grass with a dense root system and tolerates drought better than St Augustine. CrabGrassLawn is a Wiki for Lawn Enthusiasts by Lawn Experts. That’s because Zoysia grass requires first laying a base of silica sand and Canadian peat moss. St. Augustine has above-ground runners, known as stolons, which creep along the soil and put down roots. Additionally, Crabgrass Lawn (crabgrasslawn.com) participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. St. Augustine grass is a thickly-growing grass species that creates a lush, inviting landscape. The downside is that St. Augustine grass does thrive better in shady areas and will wear down in areas that are heavily frequented by children or pets. Other Important Information. This is a small back yard, facing east, with a large fence and two large shade trees blocking early and mid morning sun. The other curse we have in this area is builders plant St. Augustine grass which is not a grass but a weed. As with most sod options, there are some varieties that are more shade or pest tolerant that are only available in sod form, so in some climates it may be worth it to plant sod because you won’t have to wait as long for good coverage. It looks a bit odd at the moment since the Zoysia looks like a dark green golf course grass and the San Augustine is thick blades and a brighter green. You could do what I’m doing and sow Zoysia … Zoysia can choke out weeds in sunny areas of the lawn once it is established. High quality sod with no weeds and a thick base that won’t fall apart on you or tear when handling. Please leave your comments below as I try to respond to everyone that has questions. Product recommendations not personally owned are based on the author’s knowledge of the company, product, reliability, and reputation. Therefore, it may be easier to plant seeds in the spring when there is more rainfall and the temperatures are lower. In severe drought situations, Zoysia grass would be more likely to ultimately recover, while St. Augustine grass may require replacement. This will result in an instant, weed-free lawn. If it holds its shape but crumbles easily, you have silt. Of the two turfgrasses, St. Augustine grass is cheaper and easier to establish and maintain compared to zoysia, which is a little costlier with a much more frequent maintenance schedule. Fescue vs. Zoysia Fescue or Zoysia Comparison Zoysia vs Fescue. Other Important Information. CitraBlue and Palmetto® St. Augustine are the best grasses for shade. While zoysia is a good choice for low-maintenance lawns, there are some climates where St. Augustine is the better option. Asked February 24, 2013, 10:22 AM EST. It cannot thrive in areas where temperatures dip below ten degrees for several hours. In addition to being good looking, Zoysiagrass has great wear resistance. Squeeze the soil firmly. Versatile Zoysia does well in both. High quality sod with no weeds and a thick base that won’t fall apart on you or tear when handling. It handles dethatching and aeration well, so if you topdress each year with compost, you may be able to skip fertilizing and irrigation. Zoysia lawns are greyish-green in color with a fine texture while St. Augustine grass has a blue-green tint with a fairly coarse texture to its lawns. It looks a bit odd at the moment since the Zoysia looks like a dark green golf course grass and the San Augustine is thick blades and a brighter green. Annual aeration can help manage thatch, but because St. Augustine does not have rhizomes, the aerator must be set to remove fewer cores so that it can fill in before summer. Centipede is more cold tolerant than St. Augustine grasses but has less shade tolerance. It is also more tolerant of dethatching. Sometimes you establish a turfgrass in your yard and end up finding out the water requirements are too much for your liking, or the trees around your yard produce too much shade than the grass can handle. It is a big thatch producer and requires much moisture. St. Augustine requires more water and care than other grasses and is susceptible to freeze and disease. Since St. Augustine grass roots can reach 4' deep, it's unlikely that you can effectively dig it out, and anything you apply to your lawn to kill the weedy grass will kill your zoysia, as well. Zoysia is tolerant lawn grass, but it takes some care if you want to maximize its potential. You can read Bermuda grass vs St. Augustine for more options. Healthy maintenance practices are the key to a lawn’s success, so make sure that no matter which turf you choose, you follow a consistent maintenance schedule that includes aeration, topdressing, proper irrigation schedules and mowing heights. If your lawn turns a bluish color, or if footprints remain when you walk across it in the evening, irrigate ¾”-1” the following morning (source). What is your budget and maintenance ability? Zoysia does not handle shade as well as St. Augustine, so in a humid climate with shady areas, St. Augustine would be a better choice. In light shade or subfreezing winter weather, zoysia will persist even when dormant, but the St. Augustine will be partially to fully killed. For a lawn in south Georgia or along the coast, St. Augustine is also resilient in partial shade. But, there were many practical reasons that could have prevented that choice. While St. Augustine grass assumes a blue-green, to dark green shade. Zoysia does not require as much fertilization as St. Augustine, which makes it the better choice for poor soils. Best for … The only way to determine your soil’s fertility and pH is with a soil test. What’s more, Zoysia grass sods commercially retail for more than the average price of St. Augustine grass sods. When it comes to zoysia varieties, zoysia is still pretty shade tolerant for a warm season grass, but their … St. Augustine grass is susceptible to brown patch, mole crickets, sod webworm, chinch bugs, and a virus called St. Augustine Decline (SAD, for short). Alternatively, if you’re going for a beautiful lawn look with fine texture, Zoysia would seem like the better option. Zoysia grass vs. St. Augustine for heavy shade. Best Fertilizer For Clay Soil Lawn: Why Ingredients Matter, Recovers well from low-height mowing and dethatching, Does not choke out weeds as soon as St. Augustine grass. Empire Zoysia grass is the perfect choice for Florida. Centipede is more cold tolerant than St. Augustine grasses but has less shade tolerance. If it holds its shape without crumbling, you have clay. Even the more desirable “turf type” Fescue is the heaviest maintenance lawn type for our area. One major benefit to planting zoysia rather than St. Augustine is that zoysia has viable seed options, which is by far the cheapest way to establish a new lawn. It is slightly less salt tolerant than St. Augustine, which makes it a better choice in drier climates that may have salt buildup and less annual rainfall. Make sure Zoysia is the right grass for the conditions of your lawn. St. Augustine grass is best suited to warm-arid regions such as Florida and the Gulf Coast region. When you notice big thatches of grass in your backyard you probably have St. Augustine grass species on your lawn. Bermuda grass is a traditional favorite that has remained popular. I realize that I can fertilize, water and wait for the St Aug to fill in, but I'm thinking of converting to Empire Zoysia. I realize that I can fertilize, water and wait for the St Aug to fill in, but I'm thinking of converting to Empire Zoysia. Zoysia is susceptible to brown spot, rust, and leaf spot. This short video will explain the difference. Zoysia grass may be slow, but it is sure. Building beachfront in St. Augustine. Click Here to see the latest deals (link To Amazon). However, this warm-season grass species will lose this lush color and turn to an unsightly brown appearance during winter, as it has poor cold-tolerance. Most soils will need a starter fertilizer to help the turf establish roots quickly, and you may need to fertilize every 6 weeks until the first frost to help the turf prepare for cooler weather. So St. Augustine and Zoysia would do the best in the shade. Examples provided of tested products are actual products owned, tested, and used regularly by the author. The best grass for shade depends on location. Centipede grass, also known as Eremochloa buse, is a medium-textured, low growing grass that produces a dense and weed-free turf.It is an aggressively growing grass that is fairly attractive and requires little care. The opposite has happened on the side of my office building here at Houston Grass. Stay away from St. Augustine if you can. Elevate your lawn expectations. Both St. Augustine and zoysia are warm-season grasses, which means they have a similar growth habit. It is a very coarse-textured type that grows via above-ground stolons that can reach several feet. Learn about Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, st augustine grass, and centipede grass. Both are warm-season grasses, but there are subtle differences and similarities you should consider when choosing. With proper nutrients and weekly mowing, St. Augustine gives dense, medium-green lawn that is lovely to behold. St. Augustine and Zoysia have similar growing zones, so which grass you choose will come down to your soil classification and how much effort you want to put into improving the soil in your yard. Jan 3, 2020 - Zoysia lawns are greyish-green in color with a fine texture while St. Augustine grass has a blue-green tint with a fairly course texture. Besides climate, soil is the most important factor for turf choice. Now that you’ve gone through Zoysia vs Bermuda difference, you know which one suits your lawn best. Also known as Marathon, the ubiquitous lawn grass for Southern California landscapes. I did a lot as I grew up in terms of caring and tending for not only my families lawn but also my neighbors. St. Augustine is susceptible to drought year-round, so it’s important to monitor for drought stress and irrigate as needed. Zoysia has a deep, dense root system that grows well in sandy conditions. So, which grass should you choose for your new lawn? St Augustine. Zoysia will do well in most silty soils, and St. Augustine will do well as long as the soil drains well and has low foot traffic. St. Augustine grass is a warm-season grass that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Zoysia is drought-tolerant and will go dormant within 7 days of hot, dry conditions. Making the right choice between growing Zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass on your lawn depends on what type of landscaping aesthetic you’re looking to achieve in your backyard. We encourage you to ask questions or Check Out Our New Free Guide ‘Lawn Care for Newbies 101‘ here. Zoysia Grass Garden Design Golf Courses Landscape Google Search Scenery Landscape … The source is the book Turfgrass Management. If the lawn is mowed too short, or if you use a power rake to dethatch, you will damage the stolons and your lawn may not recover. Recommended Reading: St. Augustine Lawn Care Fertilizer Schedule (Free Printable). St. Augustine has been planted in Florida since the 1890’s and in California since 1920. However, St. Augustine is susceptible to a few pests and diseases. Since 1974 Double Springs Grass Farms, Inc. has produced high quality certified turfgrass. Should you grow St. Augustine grass or zoysia grass? Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. St. Augustine can thrive in moderate shade, so it is able to choke out weeds and other grasses in shady yards better than zoysia. Zoysia sod is more expensive than St. Augustine, and can cost anywhere from $.50-$.85/sq’ foot. Richly green and lush. For zoysia grass to overtake and smother St. Augustine grass, the soil must become drier to favor the zoysia's slower growth and cause the St. Augustine to wither. Plant zoysia if your lawn has high-traffic areas, gets inconsistent moisture, and has poor soil. Aerate from April-September each year, and dethatch if there is more than ½” of dead grass clippings. St. Augustine should be mowed May-October 2”-4” with a sharp blade. Zoysia is one of the recommended species of warm-season grass for clay soils. You can plant zoysia any time from mid spring to 8 weeks before the first frost. It is not as elegant as Saint Augustine, but it grows well in almost all Texas settings. The benefit of Zoysia grass over St. Augustine is only under severe drought conditions. I highly recommend Houston Grass. 2. This is because a lot more goes into the preparation process for installing Zoysia grass on a lawn. Zoysia Grass. St. Augustine has been planted in Florida since the 1890’s and in California since 1920. And once it covers up the lawn, it forms a thick mat of grass which is very pleasing to the eyes. St. Augustine also requires good drainage, which means a silty or sandy soil and higher amounts of organic matter. 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