Its also highly susceptible to diseases and pests. Most cost-friendly upfront: St. Augustine. Heres what you need to know about the great grass debate between buffalo grass vs St. Augustine grass. Firstly, it has a very slow growth rate making it easy to control. Floratam St. Augustine Grass. It thrives in the heat, requiring six or more hours of full sun. Andy Gibson. 10624 RR 620, Austin, Texas 78726. As such, there will rarely be a need to replace it. Types of Gardening Tools The Essential Guide to What You Need in Your Shed! They both spread by stolons and form a thick mat of turfgrass. St. Augustine is planted from sod or plugs only, and rarely if ever from seed. Feb 27, 2023, The Best Sod for Oakland Palmetto vs st augustine grass. Some homeowners have also had success using a Buffalo grass spray to kill off the St Augustine grass. But dont confuse fine fescue with tall fescue here which is a stiffer grass with not as much give. Buffalo tolerates shade very well compared to other varieties. It is soft, dense and has that really great green color that shows health in a lawn. We recommend Ferti-lome St. Augustine Weed and Feed. So if youre looking for a low-maintenance option that you wont have to mow very often, Buffalo grass is a good choice. When Grass Becomes a Weed: How to Control and Get Rid of Bermuda Grass. 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. The biggest difference between these two types of grass is that. In fact, theyre both so popular that people often wonder which one they should choose as their lawn of choice. Key Differences Between Bahia Grass and St. Augustine Grass, Characteristics, Growing Conditions and Appearance, Planting and Caring for St. Augustine Grass. Because of this preference, the location range of St. Augustine grass decreases as it reaches further north as it struggles to cope in cold weather. It is not drought tolerant at all, needing twice as much water as Bermuda grass. As with all lawns, your best defense against weeds is to use good management techniques to encourage a healthy lawn. There is no red or yellow colour on the leaves but this warm-season grass may discolour slightly in the colder months. In order to speed up the process, you can take some steps to encourage the growth of Buffalo grass. Depending on how often you want to cut your grass, you may be wondering which type of grass grows faster: Buffalo grass or St Augustine? And if youre not sure what time of machine to use, might I suggest you take a look at this article on the different types of lawnmower that are available today? However, in some cases, the blades of the grass may turn brown and die off during the winter months. 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 Vs. Centipede Grass. Bahia grass can be found in warmer locations along the southern states of America as well as in Hawaii, too. It is favorable along the Gulf Coast as well as deep south as it is unopposed to variating soil pH levels as well as nutrient content. It prefers alkaline soils, although it can grow in slightly acidic soils as well. Additionally, it doesnt require as much fertilizer or water as St Augustine does. No. This is mostly attributed due to the fact that it spreads from stolons only, where as majority of grasses are assisted through growing with rhizomes too. This grass is native to southeastern and central parts of the U.S. and Central America. Whilst it can survive mild winters, when faced with the winter frost, Bahia grass becomes dormant and can turn brown. And if you want some more information on how to do that, check out this article on lawn recovery after winter. Fertilize the lawn in early spring. Buffalo grass grows best in sandy soil while St Augustine prefers clay or loamy soil. One of the most noted adaptability traits of Buffalo grass is high shade tolerance. Best Lawn Care Tools for Beginners (What You Need and How to Use Them). Buffalo Grass is drought-hardy, meaning it can survive extended dry periods. No matter which type of grass you choose, youll be sure to have a beautiful lawn that you can enjoy for years to come! My name is Jamie, The Backyard Pros is a website where I piece together articles about all my awesome yard ideas. This species of grass creates a dense mat due to its stolons that allow it to grow low and close to the soil. But what if you have a lawn that is already mostly St Augustine? Will Buffalo Grass Overtake A St Augustine Lawn? In fact, some grass species might be even better for your yard, depending on your personal preferences or region. This grass species makes for a great garden turf due to its heavy traffic threshold and weather-resistant qualities. 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. Either way, youre going to want to make sure your lawnmower is in top condition to handle St. Augustine so follow that link for some excellent maintenance tips, and be sure to keep your blade sharp. St. Augustine grass can withstand drought conditions for up to six weeks before it begins to die, making it better for conserving water compared to centipede grass, which tends to die after two to three weeks without water. Centipede Grass. 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. St Augustine will be less prone to weeds in these early stages as youre starting either from plugs or sod. Too much fertilizer can damage Buffalo Grass and encourage weeds. #514-1231 Pacific Blvd Keeping irrigation and fertilizer to a minimum will starve out many weed species. But in colder areas, the grass may turn brown during the winter months. This broad-bladed, medium-green turf grass thrives in sunny locations . Sod, plugs, and stolons are the main ways in which this grass can be grown. 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! For a faster start, you can also use plugs which will spread within 8 to 12 weeks of planting. However, both grasses do have an excellent shade tolerance, with fescue being the best out of any lawn grass species, and St. Augustine being the best of the warm season grasses. Sitemap | About Us | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact Me | Privacy Policy. Proper maintenance will aid in curbing its invasive behavior through proper watering techniques, to regular mowing. If your lawn is Kikuyu, you will need to mow it every week during summer to keep it looking its best. To keep your lawn green, youll only need to provide 1 inch of water per month. Key Differences Between Fescue and St Augustine Grass, Characteristics, Growing Conditions, and Appearance. In these areas, buffalo grass may be a better option. There is no doubting that both Bahia grass and St. Augustine are great choices for your garden; they are valued for their strength and durability as well as heat resistance. ), Does Tenacity Kill Crabgrass(How to use Tenacity to Kill Crabgrass). Kikuyu is more likely to spread outside the boundaries of your lawn over time. Meanwhile, St. Augustine grass requires monthly fertilizer in the growing season if you have sandy soil, and its far more susceptible to pests and diseases. St Augustine is often a thinner grass, which makes it easier for weeds to take over. Buffalo Grass or St Augustine: What is Better? It can tolerate broad pH ranges, from inland acidic soils to coastal high pH soils. Buffalo is not only faster growing than St. Augustine, but its also less likely to get diseases like a brown patch or dollar spot. St Augustine prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, so long as it gets about 4 hours of sun per day. St Augustine is plagued by pests and disease, many of which dont have effective controls. For example, if the weather is particularly cold or dry, the grass may turn brown and stop growing. Approximately 1/2 inch of water at least twice a week is required. This grass does best when fertilized monthly and is not as needy as grasses such as Bermuda, which requires a heftier maintenance schedule. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast Buffalo Grass vs St Augustine so that you can make an informed decision about which type of grass is best for your needs! But here are the main differences between fescue and St. Augustine: However, both grasses do have an excellent shade tolerance, with fescue being the best out of any lawn grass species, and St. Augustine being the best of the warm season grasses. Look for newer cultivars that better replicate a lawn. Zoysia and Buffalo grass are two of the most popular grasses used for both small and large scale lawns. Discover what makes these two grasses so desirable. If you love to walk barefoot on the lawn or have children playing on it, then go with Buffalo Grass. Its not as tolerant to traffic as you might expect, and is better to look at than it is play upon. 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. 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. This grass species is excellent for coastal regions with high humidity, mild winters, and salty skies. Another advantage of Buffalo Grass is that it needs very little fertilizer, as little as 1 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq foot per year. Its known as buffalo turf in Australia and buffalo grass in South Africa. 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. 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. Buffalo Grass vs St Augustine: What is Cheaper? Making the choice between Buffalo grass and St Augustine can be tough. Pesticides are not normally required, although you should take care in high moisture areas and ensure you have adequate drainage. Mowing Needs of Centipede Grass vs St. Augustine Lawns. We hope to hear from you soon! This leads many people to wonder which grass types are better at keeping weeds at bay. Other lawn care tools that can help prevent thatch problems include dethatching rakes and vertical mowers. St Augustine is a full-fledged warm-season grass that can only thrive in subtropical areas (USDA Zone 9 and 10). This makes buffalo grass a good choice for people who live in areas with harsh winters because they wont have to worry about their lawn dying back or being covered with snow all winter long. It certainly doesnt have the drought tolerance of Bahia, and you can read more about that match up in this article on St. Augustine vs Bahia grass. Buffalo grass is also adaptable to coastal regions as it has good tolerance to salinity. If you try to pamper this grass or treat it like St Augustine or Bermuda, itll struggle. St. Augustine grass has a thick rooting system and the grass blades can grow relatively taller. In Australia, it is popularly known as buffalo grass while in the USA buffalo grass is a different species. Rough/coarse texture thats prickly underfoot. It thrives in higher temperatures, anywhere from 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and is known for its salt tolerance which makes it an ideal option for such coastal regions. I like to think of myself as the Bond of the backyard, that is if yard work ever became sexy. Many grass types grow through stolons as well as rhizomes, however, St. Augustine can only be established through stolons. Medium. Centipede grass and St. Augustine grass arent the only grass species for their respective climate zones. When using plugs, youll need 18 to cover 32 square feet. A lackluster, patchy yard can make for an eyesore. Types of Weed Killers How to Choose the Right One. Because it acts like a warm-season grass, its peak growth is during the heat of summer and goes dormant in the spring and fall. Originally used as a pasture grass when first introduced to America, this species of lawn is now widely used in agriculture, conservation, and erosion control programs as it can sustain itself when grown in compromising conditions. Welcome to Sod and Seed, Inc! This grass finds hotter weather conditions favorable, therefore, is the definitive turf choice in Florida and central Texas where gardens are more likely to be exposed to full sunlight. If you live in the north fescue is better, if you live in the south, St. Augustine is the way to go. St Augustine grass is popular in several other islands and countries from Africa to Australia. This grass only grows through stolons not rhizomes which can grow to be several feet long and root at the nodes. 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. Lawn-care experts Scotts offer some practical advice on how best to plant St. Augustine. But as soon as conditions improve, the grass will start growing again. Fescue grasses dont need to be scalped when it comes to mowing, and you should be looking at trimming your lawn every couple of weeks during spring growing seasons. Check that your soil PH levels are correct. If youre looking for a low-maintenance option that you wont have to mow very often, Buffalo grass is a good choice. It is a good choice for people who live in warm climates, as it can survive in hot weather. Because both options have their own unique set of advantages, there is no clear answer as to which one is better. What Happens if Grass Gets too Much Nitrogen? Both with their advantages and disadvantages but which one is right for your lawn? Many types of insects and bugs attack Buffalo grass, as well as common fungal infections. Which is basically a hot climate with plenty of water. Unlike Bermuda grass grows well in the full sunlight. Note: Don't use a corn meal pre-emergent for weeds in a season you are trying to germinate clover seed. Add lime if you need to balance it out. The short answer is yes, Buffalo grass can eventually take over a St Augustine lawn. Buffalo grass is a very slow-growing type of grass, so it will take several years for it to spread and overtake an existing lawn. If youve ever walked barefoot across the grass in the South, theres a chance you walked over centipede grass. Sapphire vs Sir Walter Buffalo Grass: Which to Choose? And once it does, youll be able to enjoy all the benefits that this low-maintenance type of grass has to offer. 1. Sod delivery fresh from the farm 1-800-381-8163, Posted by Razy Garcia-Sanchez on Jan 13, 2023. It's . The stems of this grass lay flush to the ground and held in place by its thick and fibrous roots. Theres a reason why centipede grass is also called the lazy mans grass. Also, if you live in an area with heavy winters. It is one of the most common varieties of grass in Australia, but understanding how to identify Buffalo grass can be difficult for beginners. Signs of Lawn Heat Stress & How to Treat It? If none fits your needs dont worry. If youre on the hunt for the best type of grass for your lawn, two grass species may have caught your eye: centipede grass vs. St. Augustine. This grass has a dormant season when soil temperatures dip below 55 degrees, turning it yellowish and patchy in appearance. 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. This encourages deep root growth and helps the grass to become more drought-tolerant. However, St. Augustine grass requires regular fertilizer and pesticides, as its prone to disease and can be fussy in a nonideal environment. harmony st augustine grass The biggest properties that make this grass a winner for southeastern lawns include its salt, heat, humidity, and shade tolerance. And while they germinate quickly, and youll see new grass blades in as little as two weeks, it doesnt grow so fast as youll be mowing the lawn every couple of days (which you shouldnt be doing anyway). It is recommended to water St. Augustine grass once or twce a week, depending on the weather conditions and soil type. 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. (Answered!). Catering to a lawn that has mixed needs is going to be a real challenge. Up to five hours of direct sunlight is enough to thrive and develop this buffalo grass as well. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How to Make Grass Thicker, Greener and Fuller The Essential Guide. Types of Gardening Tools The Essential Guide to What You Need in Your Shed! These grasses are a popular choice for a reason: they are definitely not fussy! Compared to other warm season grasses such as Bermuda and zoysia, St. Augustine has a higher drought tolerance, and will remain greener for longer in hot conditions. Therefore, Buffalo grass should be installed in sod roll form or Buffalo grass plug form. It can grow to be as tall as 6 feet but is typically cut down at 3-4 inches. A warm and humid atmosphere near coastal regions is favorable for St Augustine grass. Still, we all have our favorites, and you can tell me yours in the comments below. Check for weeds. 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. Despite being moderately high-maintenance, St. Augustine grass is popular for several reasons. Both buffalo grass and st. Augustine has pros and cons, so lets look at them-. The best time to establish a St. Augustine lawn is in spring and summer. We all know that weeds can be a real pain to deal with. Canada. Buffalo grass and carpet grass are two different species. Centipede grass can handle below-freezing temperatures, but extended temperatures at 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower may kill your grass. But if you leave it be with only the occasional mowing, itll thrive. Its rough texture is terrible to walk upon. The blades of this grass start short when young, however, can reach a height of 30cm when fully grown. Buffalo Grass should be kept taller at 3 to 4 inches or even left at its maximum height of 6 inches. 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. Buffalo Grass is more vulnerable to weeds during its long seed germination and establishment time. To the untrained eye, all grass might well look alike its all green, right? Order Online; . Youll often find they are regularly blended to stand a better chance of survival. 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. While they both have a very similar look, some differences may give you an idea of which one will work best for your lawn. The Best Installation Process 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. . Please feel free to comment, ask questions or reach out to us with any concerns at 1-800-831-8163. St. Augustine is very popular due to its vibrant and fresh color that can last for months. Quick tip: Unlike many warm season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine can grow in areas of as little as 40% sunlight exposure, allowing it to survive in the cooler seasons. Mow fescue when it gets to around 3-3 1/2 -inches, and to not less than two inches in height. Generally speaking, Buffalo grass is the more affordable option. 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). 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. St. Augustine Grass, Centipede Grass / By Joe Bethel. Hand pulling weeds is always the best option, while spot-treatments with chemical interventions are better as a last resort treatment. Can grow in loam, chalk, and clay. And they also taper to a point at the end. Perhaps the main reasons its so popular is that it germinates quickly and has a very high shade tolerance. Some of this is because St Augustine does best in sandy soils, which need to be water more shallowly and more frequently than other soils as water quickly drains away, and in part because of its shallow root structure. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that it will need to be mowed more often. There are plenty of other types of grass seed to choose from. Address: You can also read our St. Augustine vs Buffalo grass article here. The first thing youll notice about these two types of grass is their appearance. Is Buffalo Grass the Same as St Augustine? However, such pleasures only come with high maintenance and St. Augustine can be tricky to keep happy. Can you mix Fescue and St Augustine grass? If you shop through the links on YardThyme, we may earn an affiliate's commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Lawn Identification Guide: What Kind of Grass Do I Have? 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. Native to North America, Buffalo Grass is uniquely adapted to handle everything that the tricky and unpredictable Transition Zone can throw at it. In the United States, Buffalo grass is called St Augustine. As covered previously, this kind of grass is a perennial, meaning that it will come back every year. Dethatching may need to be done once or twice a year. check out our complete guide to St Augustine. USDA hardiness zones: 7 to 12. Due to their respective traits and adaptability to certain climates in different regions, some of these varieties are more popular in certain areas than others (Sir Walter is particularly popular along Australias east coast). If the lawn gets little water, has full sun, and is rarely fertilized, then Buffalo Grass will outcompete St Augustine. It even has a disease named after it, St Augustine Decline. 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. St Augustine vs Fescue: Whats Better For My Lawn? You need not worry about pests and disease if you grow a Buffalo Grass lawn. The best way to make a decision is to consider your climate, soil type, watering needs, and maintenance requirements. How Buffalo grass has changed over the years. Also, Kikuyu needs more mowing than Buffalo. Buffalo grass is a good choice for people who live in hot, dry climates. Similarly, it usually gives off a more fresh-cut look than Buffalo grass. Spectracide vs Roundup Which is the Best Weed Killer? This is also the more weed-resistant option of the two, making for less weed picking work down the road. Always check the scientific name when looking for information. This makes it a versatile grass, but theres other warm-season grasses that like shade without so many drawbacks. 8 Plants That Look Just Like Queen Annes Lace, 6 Fascinating Plants that Look Like Elderberry. 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. Thats probably due to the fact that theyre so different, and thrive in polar opposite regions. Since centipede grass needs six or more hours of full sunlight, this grass is not ideal for any shaded areas. Bahia grass grows low and outwardly from stolons and the blades contain unsightly seed-heads that aid it in reseeding itself when they drop, however, this can be reduced with regular mowing. However, remember that maintenance costs for St. Augustine grass may lead you to spend more in the long run than centipede grass. Andy Gibson. link to Signs of Lawn Heat Stress & How to Treat It? Here are several alternative grass species for warm season climate zones: Some plants overstay their welcome, even after you've shown them the door. Even better, its extremely low maintenance and does best with benign neglect. By correctly identifying your turf variety, you can better care for your lawn so that it stays healthy and looks great! But if you dont mind mowing your lawn more often and you like the look of a freshly-cut lawn, St Augustine may be a better option for you. Different Types of Lawn Aerators Explained Holy Lawns, Batman! Look for days when the temperature is consistently between 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit. (Answered!). Since I have a fescue lawn Im slightly biased. They have an excellent drought tolerance, so they dont require frequent watering, largely thanks to the deep root system that can access underground moisture. As you can see, there are a few key differences between Buffalo grass and St Augustine. It is also a drought-tolerant type of grass, which means that it can survive in dry conditions. How do you tell the difference between Buffalo and Kikuyu grass? Buffalo Grass is a great no-mow grass. No longer is Buffalo grass sharp and scratchy, but it has been altered to no be much less problematic . Buffalo Grass needs full sun and has very little shade tolerance as it evolved to grow among other grasses. Visit almost any home along the Gulf Coast in the US, and theres a strong chance the yard will be rocking St. Augustine grass. Centipedegrass requires minimal fertilizer and generally does not require pesticides, as it is not prone to pests or disease. However, it will take some time for this to happen. If you hear that Buffalo Grass needs more water than Bermuda, then theyre actually referring to St Augustine. 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. Buffalo Grass vs. St. Augustine: What's the Difference? Whether Buffalo Grass will overtake St Augustine depends on who the conditions are favorable for. Spectracide vs Roundup Which is the Best Weed Killer? I write about everything about lawn care and gardening and the dread-it-but-still-need-to-do-it chores around the yard, like cleaning out the gutter guards. Based in Melbourne, Steve's passion is vegetable gardening, and hes been writing about it for almost 5 years. St Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum) and Buffalo Grass (Buchloe dactyloides) are not the same; in fact, theyre very different grasses. If you have a lot of space to fill and need your lawn to grow fast, then buffalo is definitely a great option for you. However, St Augustine is also more tolerant of being mowed short, so you wont have to mow it as high as Buffalo grass. This is down to its close and tight growth habit basically creates no room left for any other unwanted plants to sprout. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as you might not notice that St. Augustine actually has a problem. Here you have two, completely different grass species for growing in completely different grass seasons. Fescue grasses are most commonly found in a mix of other species, such as Kentucky Bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. 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. 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On who the conditions are favorable for during its long seed germination and establishment time better for my?... Tools that can help prevent thatch problems include dethatching rakes and vertical mowers and pesticides, as it about... Cleaning out the gutter guards Augustine: What is Cheaper of myself as the Bond the... You tell the difference Planting and Caring for St. Augustine vs fescue: Whats better for yard...