Centipede
is the most widely planted and is the most common lawn grass
found here. It's characteristics are:
medium texture
light green color
slow to moderate grower
low shade tolerance
low drought tolerance
moderate cold tolerance
correct mowing height - 1.5 to 2 inches
prefers a low soil pH (acid) of 5.5 to 6.5
low to medium fertility requirements
As Centipede is a fairly slow grower, it can sometimes go
ten days to two weeks between mowings during the growing season, but weekly
mowings are best. Centipede grass will often exhibit yellowing due to iron
deficiency, particularly after fertilization. Centipede is susceptible to damage
by mole crickets, sod webwoms, spittlebugs, nematodes, and fungus. Establishment
is by sodding,
plugging, sprigging, or seeding, although establishment by seed is slow and
tedious.
St. Augustine
is the second most commonly found lawn grass in this area, and in our opinion,
is the grass of choice. It is widely planted in Florida and is the predominant grass there.
It's
characteristics are:
coarse texture
dark green color
very fast grower
good shade tolerance
moderate drought tolerance
poor cold tolerance
correct mowing height - 3 to 4 inches
prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0
high fertility requirements
St. Augustine is a very fast grower and forms a thick,
tight turf if given adequate water and fertilizer. It competes very well
against weeds. It is susceptible to damage by chinch bugs, mole crickets, and
disease. It is not cold tolerant but is very tolerant to salt, making it a good
choice for lawns where salt water intrusion during high tides can occur. St.
Augustine needs weekly mowing during the growing season. It establishes itself
quickly and can be sodded, plugged, or sprigged.
Bermuda
is occasionally used as a lawn grass in this area, but is not commonly found
. It's
main use here is as a turf for golf course greens and fairways, where it excels.
Common Bermuda grass is usually considered a weed when found in lawns and is
very difficult to control. The improved varieties are used on golf courses.
Bermuda characteristics are:
fine texture
dark green color
very fast growth
poor shade tolerance
good drought tolerance
good cold tolerance
correct mowing height - .5 to 1 inch
prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0
very high fertility requirements
To be attractive, Bermuda requires a very high level of
maintenance, which most homeowners are not willing or able to provide.
Zoysia
is a very dense, fine textured, slow growing turfgrass which is not commonly found in this
area. It's characteristics are:
fine texture
medium to dark green color
very slow growth
moderate shade tolerance
good drought tolerance
good cold tolerance
correct mowing height - .75 to 1 inch
prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0
moderate to high fertility requirements
Zoysia is susceptible to disease, particularly dollar spot.
It readily develops thatch and requires low mowing heights. With a few
exceptions, I have not found Zoysia to perform well in this area.
Annual Rye
is a cool season grass which is used here only for winter color by
overseeding the perennial warm season grasses mentioned above. It is seeded in
the fall, germinates quickly, and will remain green throughout the winter and
into the spring. Annual rye will die out naturally in late spring when
temperatures move into the 80's and beyond. Annual rye competes with the
permanent turf during spring green up and for that reason should be used
sparingly. Seeding rates should be low so as not to result in a very thick
stand. It may also be advisable to apply a herbicide in the spring which will
eliminate most of the rye, thereby also eliminating the competition with the
permanent underlying grass as it is trying to green up out of dormancy. Annual
rye is a fast grower when water and fertilizer is available. If you decide to
overseed, be prepared to mow all winter!
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