A Guide to St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is, without question, one of the most popular choices for turf in the United States, especially in southern states that experience year-round high temperatures. This grass originates in areas with very warm climates, like Australia and various parts of Africa. Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and other states in this area are the only recommended areas for St. Augustine grass in the United States. This is due to the warm climate and frequent rainfall in these areas. Here is some basic information on St. Augustine grass to help you decide if it is the best fit for your yard:

The benefits of St. Augustine grass

St. Augustine grass ranges in color from light to dark green, both of which make a beautiful lawn covering. The grass grows in thick and has a high saline tolerance, making it one of the few types of grass that are acceptable for coastal cities. If your yard is mostly covered in shade, this typically will not cause problems when attempting to grow St. Augustine grass.

If you prefer to start your lawn using sod instead of seeds, St. Augustine is a great choice. This grass can be looking great in your lawn the day of installation. It takes a few weeks for the roots to fully establish in your soil, but only light maintenance is required in order for this to happen. In areas where temperatures never fall below 55 degrees, St. Augustine grass will remain green all year round. If it does get colder than this in your area, your lawn will experience a winter dormancy period.

The downside of St. Augustine grass

St. Augustine grass is not tolerant to cold weather, and it should not be planted in northern states for this reason. This grass is also not recommended for use in yards that experience heavy foot traffic. If your children like to play in the yard, or if you’re a fan of outdoor barbecues and parties, you’ll want to pick a grass that is more wear resistant. It also has a coarse texture that many homeowners are not a fan of, so take this into consideration before making your final selection.

St. Augustine grass is not drought tolerant, so if you live in an area that doesn’t see much rain fall you’ll have to invest in a year-round irrigation system in order to keep your lawn looking green and healthy. Chinch bugs are also a common problem in yards with St. Augustine grass, so make sure to invest in a pest control package if you plant this in your yard.

Varieties of St. Augustine grass

There are several types of St. Augustine grass, some of which may be a better fit for your yard than others. The most common varieties of St. Augustine are:

  • Bitter Blue
  • Delmar
  • Floratine
  • Seville
  • Jade
  • Palmetto
  • Sapphire

Take time to research each of these varieties before deciding on which one to plant in your lawn. If you’re still unsure, make a list of the factors that are present in your yard and take them to a lawn care expert at your local home improvement store. They’ll be able to tell you if St. Augustine grass is a good fit for your lawn, as well as the variety that you will have the most luck with.  If all of this still seems to daunting, consider getting in touch with a lawn care company that can start your new lawn for you. This is the only way that you can guarantee that your grass will grow in successfully and without and unwelcome surprises.

TruGreen will gladly visit your property as often as needed between scheduled visits to make any necessary adjustments and to ensure your satisfaction.

Getting Started with TruGreen

  1. Call or fill out the form above to reach a lawn care specialist.
  2. Know the square footage of your yard, as well as any specific areas of concern.
  3. With the help of your specialist, create a customized lawn care plan that meets your lawn’s needs.
  4. Schedule your Healthy Lawn Analysis2 to start your service.