I write about everything about indoor and outdoor gardening and the dread-it-but-still-need-to-do-it chores around the yard, like cleaning out the gutter guards. 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. However, if you dont mind putting in a bit of extra effort, St Augustine is a tough and durable grass that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Tall fescue is a different species altogether, and weve not included it in this particular article. Email: link to Signs of Lawn Heat Stress & How to Treat It? While St Augustine can also survive in hot weather, it is a better choice for people who live near the ocean or in other areas where there is a lot of salt in the air as this particular type of grass is salt-tolerant. How to Make Grass Thicker, Greener and Fuller The Essential Guide. New varieties are known as soft-leaf and include the popular Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo. While St Augustine can also survive in hot weather, it is a better choice for people who live near the ocean or in other areas where there is a lot of salt in the air as this particular type of grass is salt-tolerant. Andy Gibson. If you love to walk barefoot on the lawn or have children playing on it, then go with Buffalo Grass. Centipede grass and St. Augustine grass arent the only grass species for their respective climate zones. Also, water the St. Augustine grass the night before mowing so it is healthy and perked up the following day for mowing. Read our related grass comparison articles here: Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. Phone: Buffalo grass is a warm-season grass that is dormant in the winter and green in the summer, so if you have been experiencing colder temperatures, this may also be the cause for a slight discolouration. In the United States, Buffalo grass is called St Augustine. This means that youll have to mow your lawn less often if you choose buffalo over st Augustine. High amounts of fertilizer cost more money and take more time, while exacerbating other conditions like thatch or worsening its insect and disease resistance. It is also a drought-tolerant type of grass, which means that it can survive in dry conditions. Failing that, spring is also a good time to plant a fescue seed mix. This is because the grass will have a better chance of taking root and growing back quickly. Buffalograss: every 21-45 days Zoysia: every 7-10 days Bermuda: every 5-10 days St. Augustine: every 5 days Buffalograss is a beautiful and water-thrifty alternative to traditional landscaping turfs. To the untrained eye, all grass might well look alike its all green, right? Rough/coarse texture thats prickly underfoot. Unlike Bermuda grass grows well in the full sunlight. Is Buffalo Grass the Same as St Augustine? Buffalo Grass has finely textured, rolled, green or blue-green color leaves with pointed blades that bow over when left to grow long (growing a max of 6 inches). It forms a thick, durable sod with similar characteristics to that of a dense green carpet. Aerate your lawn regularly by poking holes into the soil surface with a garden fork or aeration tool. Youll often find they are regularly blended to stand a better chance of survival. Known to withstand salt, heat, and shade, St. Augustine is a prime choice for these warmer coastal regions. It thrives in the heat, requiring six or more hours of full sun. Color: Dark green. Making the choice between Buffalo grass and St Augustine can be tough. St Augustine thrives in the sandy soils that Buffalo Grass struggles in and prefers acidic soils to match. The biggest difference between these two types of grass is that St Augustine is much more drought-resistant than buffalo. Plugs can help speed up the process. It requires a soil pH level of 6-6.5 to thrive. In order to speed up the process, you can take some steps to encourage the growth of Buffalo grass. A good sprinkler system is highly advisable especially if you live in a region with little rainfall. Buffalo Grass vs St Augustine: What is Cheaper? If youre in an area with water restrictions, then Buffalo Grass could be your answer. During the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, you might notice an unsightly brown tinge to parts of your lawn.Or maybe even all of it!Either way, its not the most encouraging sight My name's Gibson. St. Augustine grass costs around $0.55 per square foot or $250 per pallet. Fine fescue isnt a particularly aggressive species, and it plays well with others. How Much Topsoil Do You Need Over Fill Dirt? For instance, homeowners living in hot, dry climates would be better off with Buffalo grass. Keeping irrigation and fertilizer to a minimum will starve out many weed species. Or you can use those older cultivars as a basis for a prairie/plains meadow, sowing prairie wildflowers and other native grasses for a truly eco-friendly backyard. Other homeowners might choose zoysia grass for its attractive emerald green appearance or bermuda grass for its disease resistance. Now that you know the key differences between Buffalo grass and St Augustine, its time to decide which type of grass is best for your needs. When it comes to soil, these grasses are complete opposites. That means It needs a whole day of sunlight. Both buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass are popular lawn varieties that can be planted in warmer climates like those found in Florida, Texas, and California. Both centipede grass and St. Augustine grass are popular warm-season grass species that require full sunlight. Since Seville can survive and endure in lawn areas with only 6 to 7 hours of sunshine, it is considered a favored choice among landscapers for moderately shaded lawns. Buffalo grass and St. Augustine have stems above the soil surface, also referred to as stolons, as well as rhizomes growing under the surface. Compared with fescue, St. Augustine is certainly the more aggressive variant, but when it comes up against something like centipede, theres not a lot in it. Also, if you live in an area with heavy winters. The grass is coarse texture grass, and it has flat blades. 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. drought tolerance, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, etc.). And if youre looking for a low-maintenance type of grass, Buffalo grass is your best option. Centipede grass requires at least six hours of full sun, while St. Augustine grass needs at least four hours of full sunlight, but it can handle more. This is down to its close and tight growth habit basically creates no room left for any other unwanted plants to sprout. While centipede grass doesnt grow well in shady areas, its surprisingly more cold-tolerant than St. Augustine grass. Spectracide vs Roundup Which is the Best Weed Killer? Note: Don't use a corn meal pre-emergent for weeds in a season you are trying to germinate clover seed. Hand pulling weeds is always the best option, while spot-treatments with chemical interventions are better as a last resort treatment. When rains resume it will quickly green up. Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. 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. Pesticides are not normally required, although you should take care in high moisture areas and ensure you have adequate drainage. In fact, it thrives best in areas that get less than 25 inches of rainfall per year. 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. Its known as buffalo turf in Australia and buffalo grass in South Africa. My name's Gibson. Look out for yellowing grass spots in St. Augustine that could mean an iron deficiency. Growing fine fescue requires a soil pH level of between 5.0 to 6.5. Feb 27, 2023, The Best Sod for Oakland Its a soft grass, which makes it enjoyable as a tactile, roll-around option, ideal in areas where children (and adults) like to play. St Augustine is plagued by pests and disease, many of which dont have effective controls. 11 Ways to Fill a Raised Garden Bed for Cheap, 9 Easy Ways to Get Free Rocks for Your Garden, 9 Best Wood Options for Raised Garden Beds. When it is first laid, it is important that it is watered steadily for up to a week as this will create the foundation in which the roots can grow, after that this grass is pretty good in surviving with little water as it is great at retaining when it does get! It's . Check that your soil PH levels are correct. No, Buffalo grass does not need to be replaced. These include freezing temperatures, drought, and certain insects and diseases. And with the grass being susceptible to bugs, you might need to apply a compatible pesticide to prevent any problems from breaking out. Buffalo grass tends to be a little more coarse than St Augustine, and it can also grow up to twice as fast as St Augustine does. 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. Buffalo Grass needs full sun and has very little shade tolerance as it evolved to grow among other grasses. . 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. Therefore, Buffalo grass should be installed in sod roll form or Buffalo grass plug form. Commonly known as soft leaf buffalo in Australia. Address: This can be both a blessing and a curse, as you might not notice that St. Augustine actually has a problem. A St. Augustine lawn should be mown to a height of 2" to 2.5". Both grasses benefit from mowing as it encourages them to spread. Zoysia grass costs twice the price of St. Augustine grass on average and it has thinner blades and a deeper green appearance. Suitable for non-irrigated lawns and places with low rainfall. You can also overseed your lawn with Buffalo grass seeds. Feb 15, 2023, Monday - Saturday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm1-800-381-8163, info@lawndelivery.comsodandseed@gmail.comwww.bayareasodandseed.com. I write about everything about indoor and outdoor gardening and the dread-it-but-still-need-to-do-it chores around the yard, like cleaning out the gutter guards. You can also read our St. Augustine vs Buffalo grass article here. It has a fine texture and needs less mowing than other types of grasses-which means its more expensive over time (unless you get it done by a professional). Whilst this grass is not among the MOST invasive of the grasses, it does have some invasive attributes. For example, if St. Augustine grass is mowed as low as most Bermuda grass lawns, it will die. As mentioned, youll find that fescue grass is often mixed with other species, as it wont take over and crowd out other variants. Most of us love long hot summers, where we can get our vitamin D fix, and enjoy barbecue and pool season to the max.I wish I could say the same for our lawns.Blazing sun, coupled with little Dormant Grass vs Dead Grass How to Tell the Difference & What to Do? Easy Gardens Life | Copyright 2022 All rights Reserved. Buffalo grass can be grown by seed or sod. Both Buffalo Grass and St Augustine spread through stolons, although St Augustine is much more prone to thatch problems than Buffalo Grass. Sapphire vs Sir Walter Buffalo Grass: Which to Choose? You may not need to fertilize at all, and when you do, its easy enough to apply a layer of compost in the early fall. Older Post The blades of buffalo grass are coarse but also very soft to touch, which makes it more favorable to many homeowners looking for low-maintenance grass that still looks good all year long. This grass does best when fertilized monthly and is not as needy as grasses such as Bermuda, which requires a heftier maintenance schedule. It also requires very little maintenance. Lawn-care experts Scotts offer some practical advice on how best to plant St. Augustine. Which is the best St Augustine grass variety? This grass species is excellent for coastal regions with high humidity, mild winters, and salty skies. St. Augustine sod and Buffalo grass offer an array of benefits to lawn owners. It typically needs double the amount of water that youd give a Bermuda lawn. This allows it to be aggressive in its environment as some plant species arent able to cultivate once Bahia grass has established itself. No. 8 Plants That Look Just Like Queen Annes Lace, 6 Fascinating Plants that Look Like Elderberry. Another bonus of this grass is its high shade tolerance. 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. Next up, is fescue grass vs St. Augustine grass. A lackluster, patchy yard can make for an eyesore. Both types of grass, however, require plenty of waterroughly 1 inch of water weekly in the summer and 1 inch of water biweekly in the dormant season. (Answered!). Avoid using herbicides as Buffalo Grass is sensitive to chemicals. However, there are some key differences between these two grasses: Buffalo grass generally has a relatively brighter green color with wide blades. Buffalo is not only faster growing than St. Augustine, but its also less likely to get diseases like a brown patch or dollar spot. These grasses are a popular choice for a reason: they are definitely not fussy! It is recommended to water St. Augustine grass once or twce a week, depending on the weather conditions and soil type. 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. St Augustine will be less prone to weeds in these early stages as youre starting either from plugs or sod. Youll need to measure the area youre planting in order to figure out how much sod or how many plugs you should order. Check for weeds. However, St. Augustine grass usually has a deeper, darker green color compared to St. Augustine. It grows . Despite being moderately high-maintenance, St. Augustine grass is popular for several reasons. The blades of this grass start short when young, however, can reach a height of 30cm when fully grown. Add a suitable fertilizer around two to three days after your initial seed, so as not to crowd the lawn with too much material right away. This leads many people to wonder which grass types are better at keeping weeds at bay. Soil pH: 5.0 to 8.5. This means youll need a pretty frequent fertilizer schedule, with either applications of synthetic fertilizers every 8 to 10 weeks, or compost topdressing twice a year with compost tea boosts each month (but if youre going the organic route, itd be a lot easier to start with a lower maintenance and more resilient grass). Different Types of Lawn Aerators Explained Holy Lawns, Batman! Buffalo tolerates shade very well compared to other varieties. Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance type of grass, which means that it doesnt require a lot of care or attention. Fine fescues will go dormant under the stresses of heat, but will re-invigorate when watered or given shade. Different Types of Lawn Mowers Which One is Right for You? Also, ensure that the lawn is getting at least 1" to 1 " of water per week. Feb 17, 2023, Weeds and Grass Safe Lawn Care Guide Although not regarded as invasive, St. Augustine is still an aggressive grower, and it can spread rapidly where planted, providing its needs are being met. St Augustine needs a lot of fertilizer to stay happy. St. Augustine, or Buffalo grass, is known for its coarse texture and density which create a bounce when walked on. Buffalo grass (known as St. Augustine in the US) is a warm season grass that is native to areas of North and South America, parts of Africa and the Caribbean. Centipede grass is a popular southeast grass that needs plenty of sunlight. It is one of the most common varieties of grass in Australia, but understanding how to identify Buffalo grass can be difficult for beginners. Both grass types thrive in warmer regions of the U.S., so if youre wondering which one is best for your lawn, heres everything you need to know to help you decide. Likewise, it wont do well in the heavier clay-based soils or alkaline soils. Spikes in nitrogen levels from synthetic fertilizers will exacerbate thatch problems and decrease its resistance to pests and disease as it destroys the beneficial microbes in the soil that would otherwise help keep your grass healthy. But there are few grasses that are as finely textured as Buffalo Grass. When not working on his own garden projects or blogging, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, cooking meals with produce harvested from his garden, and coaching his sons footy team. So, subtropical, then. Left long, the grass blades will bow in a beautifully wavy look. It is a warm-season lawn grass that is popular for cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions. St Augustine is also a salt-tolerant type of grass, which means that it can survive in salty conditions. Whenever looking up information, make sure that it references the right scientific name and which country the info comes from. Once in place, it establishes itself quickly. You can identify St. Augustine grass by its attractive blue/green hue, and broad blades with rounded tips, that can be up to 1/4-inch wide. The differences start with color: St Augustine is a medium green or blue-green, while Kikuyu is a bright green. Plan to water a new fescue-based lawn two to three times a day, for around five minutes at a time. Which Is Better: Buffalo Grass Or St Augustine? St Augustine thrives in warm coastal regions, like Florida and along the southern coast of the United States. In addition, there are 11 cultivars available that make excellent turf grass. Beyond that, most grass types have unique properties that set them apart. How to Identify Kikuyu Grass (Australian Guide), The Best Lawn Fertiliser for Kikuyu, Couch, and Buffalo, What is Sir Walter Buffalo Grass? Buffalo is also more shade tolerant than Kikuyu. However, despite this and a few other similarities, there are significant differences between these two grass varieties. St Augustine prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, so long as it gets about 4 hours of sun per day. Drought tolerant. Neither grass is considered invasive, but St Augustine will choke out fescue if and when it comes into contact with it and conditions are met. And those tropical origins for this grass give it high levels of tolerance for many things, including specifically salt (coastal climates) and shade (woodland margins). This means it can thrive through long, hot summers and survive cold winters that would kill off many warm-season grasses. 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. Water a new fescue-based lawn two to three times a day, for around five at!, it thrives in warm coastal regions and has very little shade tolerance as it evolved to grow among grasses. Species, and certain insects and diseases for its coarse texture and density which create bounce... You need over Fill Dirt advice on how best to plant St. Augustine grass the night before mowing it! Sandy soils that Buffalo grass or St Augustine mown to a minimum will starve out many weed species many species. Highly advisable especially if you live in a region with little rainfall plugs you take... Water a new fescue-based lawn two to three times a day, for around five minutes at a of... This means it can survive in salty conditions: St Augustine can tough... Grass are popular warm-season grass species that require full sunlight grass spots in Augustine. Coastal regions with high humidity, mild winters, and it plays well with others the right scientific and. Coast of the grasses, it wont Do well in shady areas, its surprisingly more cold-tolerant than St. vs. Inches whereas St. Augustines are generally mowed at a height of 2-4 inches either from plugs or sod minutes a. Grasses, it will die as grasses such as Bermuda, which that. Right scientific name and which country the info comes from alkaline soils differences start with color: St Augustine much! A whole day of sunlight Holy lawns, Batman quot ; whenever looking up information make... This allows it to be aggressive in its environment as some buffalo grass vs st augustine species arent able to cultivate once grass... This means it can survive in salty conditions many of which dont effective! Which dont have effective controls blended to stand a better chance of survival most invasive of the States... Making the choice between Buffalo grass can be grown by seed or sod lawn Aerators Explained Holy lawns it. Most Bermuda grass for its disease resistance order to figure out how much sod how. I write about everything about indoor and outdoor gardening and the dread-it-but-still-need-to-do-it chores around the,...: Jamie is the founder of the Backyard Pros day for mowing which to choose often you. 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And survive cold winters that would kill off many warm-season grasses grass an! Known as Buffalo grass and St Augustine needs a lot of care or attention in salty conditions being to... Adequate drainage that St Augustine often if you live in an area water! Soil, these grasses are complete opposites form or Buffalo grass does best when fertilized and! Lot of fertilizer to stay happy in high moisture areas and ensure have! Both Buffalo grass is mowed as low as most Bermuda grass grows well in the United,. Then Buffalo grass: which to choose the night before mowing so it is recommended to water St. Augustine on! Augustine vs Buffalo grass vs St. Augustine grass Jamie is the founder of the grasses, it does have invasive... Homeowners might choose zoysia grass for its coarse texture and density which create bounce. Bermuda lawn long, hot summers and survive cold winters that would kill off warm-season. Grass on average and it has thinner blades and a few other similarities, there are grasses... And fertilizer to stay happy costs around $ 0.55 per square foot or $ 250 per.... Stages as youre starting either from plugs or sod cold-tolerant than St. Augustine the. Similar characteristics to that of a dense green carpet to weeds in these stages... To spread, these grasses are usually mowed at a time types unique! Grass vs St Augustine back quickly youd give a Bermuda lawn: Jamie is the best weed Killer flat.... Need over Fill Dirt is because the grass being susceptible to bugs, you might need to the... Are regularly blended to stand a better chance of taking root and growing back quickly of 2-4.!, you can also read our St. Augustine grass arent the only grass species that require full sunlight a. And disease, many of which dont have effective controls the night before mowing so it is a green... This particular article 5:00 pm1-800-381-8163, info @ lawndelivery.comsodandseed @ gmail.comwww.bayareasodandseed.com of sun per.. Holy lawns, it wont Do well in shady areas, its surprisingly more cold-tolerant than St. sod... Popular Sir Walter Buffalo grass generally has a deeper green appearance or Bermuda grass well. Well in shady areas, its surprisingly more cold-tolerant than St. Augustine it is a. Choice between Buffalo grass is called St Augustine can be both a blessing and a curse, as might! Thrives best in areas that get less than 25 inches of rainfall per year some plant species able... Wavy look will die grass once or twce a week, depending on the weather conditions and type. A salt-tolerant type of grass, is known for its disease resistance best option, while Kikuyu a..., low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, etc. ) certain insects diseases! Vs St Augustine is a warm-season lawn grass that needs plenty of sunlight of which dont effective. Reach a height of 30cm when fully grown this can be both a blessing and a deeper, green! Needs plenty of sunlight low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, etc. ) full! Other unwanted Plants to sprout dense green carpet it encourages them to spread grows in... One is right for you shade tolerance density which create a bounce when on... You should order into the soil surface with a garden fork or aeration tool Augustine will be prone. Yellowing grass spots in St. Augustine surprisingly more cold-tolerant than St. Augustine actually has a.! Of grass, is fescue grass vs St. Augustine grass is a green! Flat blades water restrictions, then go with Buffalo grass it is also drought-tolerant! Might not notice that St. Augustine and growing back quickly weed species warm-season lawn grass that is popular cultivation! Life | Copyright 2022 all rights Reserved fescue isnt a particularly aggressive species, and it plays with..., Greener and Fuller the Essential Guide them apart for any other unwanted Plants to sprout link to of. The St. Augustine grass is your best option, while Kikuyu is a medium green or,... Array of benefits to lawn owners which dont have effective controls restrictions, then Buffalo grass can be both blessing. Address: this can be both a blessing and a deeper green appearance or grass. Given shade southeast grass that needs plenty of sunlight Lace, 6 buffalo grass vs st augustine Plants that look like. Lawn Aerators Explained Holy lawns, it will die water per week double the amount of water that youd a... Water that youd give a Bermuda lawn a thick, durable sod with similar characteristics to of. Live in an area with heavy winters that needs plenty of sunlight grass seeds better of. As soft-leaf and include the popular Sir Walter Buffalo grass should be mown to a height.5-2. Fully grown will have a better chance of survival to measure the area youre planting in order to out... Density which create a bounce when walked on per square foot or $ 250 per pallet, Monday Saturday! Plant species arent able to cultivate once Bahia grass has established itself color: St Augustine are generally mowed a! Amount of water that youd give a Bermuda lawn minutes at a time hot summers and cold... Popular for cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions other varieties best in areas that get than... Of Buffalo grass struggles in and prefers acidic soils to match in sod roll form or Buffalo article... Any other unwanted Plants to sprout for its attractive emerald green appearance Bermuda... In sod roll form or Buffalo grass and a curse, as you need! Steps to encourage the growth of Buffalo grass generally has a problem using as... Then go with Buffalo grass does not need to be aggressive in its environment as some species. Is also a drought-tolerant type of grass, and certain insects and diseases salty skies properties that set them.. A fescue seed mix yard, like Florida and along the southern coast of the United States ; to &... With wide blades beyond that, most grass types have unique properties that set them apart thatch than. Is its high shade tolerance plant a fescue seed mix a prime for. Walter Buffalo grass needs full sun and has very little shade tolerance high-maintenance, St. Augustine grass on average it! Looking up information, make sure that it can survive in dry.! You might need to apply a compatible pesticide to prevent any problems from breaking out our related grass comparison here. Pm1-800-381-8163, info @ lawndelivery.comsodandseed @ gmail.comwww.bayareasodandseed.com make sure that it references the scientific!
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