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. Lawn-care experts Scotts offer some practical advice on how best to plant St. Augustine. Hard fescue, sheep fescue, chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, and slender creeping red fescue are the main types. Buffalo grass is a good choice for people who live in hot, dry climates. While Buffalo Grass is often confused with St Augustine, theyre very different grasses. For more information, read full disclosure here. Buffalo grass is a drought-tolerant type of grass, which means that it doesnt require a lot of water. Buffalo grass is a warm-season perennial, which means it grows during spring, summer, and fall but dies back in winter. (Answered!). In the United States, Buffalo grass is called St Augustine. Note for the purposes of this article, well be talking about fine fescue grass, and not tall fescue. 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! If anything its going to be the other way around, as St Augustine is the more aggressive of the two. How to Identify Kikuyu Grass (Australian Guide), The Best Lawn Fertiliser for Kikuyu, Couch, and Buffalo, What is Sir Walter Buffalo Grass? This grass has a dormant season when soil temperatures dip below 55 degrees, turning it yellowish and patchy in appearance. 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. St. Augustine sod and Buffalo grass offer an array of benefits to lawn owners. St Augustine thrives in the sandy soils that Buffalo Grass struggles in and prefers acidic soils to match. If you love to walk barefoot on the lawn or have children playing on it, then go with Buffalo Grass. How do you tell the difference between Buffalo and Kikuyu grass? Whenever looking up information, make sure that it references the right scientific name and which country the info comes from. Buffalo is not only faster growing than St. Augustine, but its also less likely to get diseases like a brown patch or dollar spot. It typically needs double the amount of water that youd give a Bermuda lawn. And until next time, I wish you the very best of luck with your lawns! check out our complete guide to St Augustine. Alongside its most common uses, Bahia grass is accepted as a great lawn choice for those with acreage or large garden spaces in general. There are several types of St. Augustine grass, including palmetto, citrablue, Seville, and floratam. Can grow in loam, chalk, and clay. backyardproscontact@gmail.com 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. Key Differences Between Fescue and St Augustine Grass, Characteristics, Growing Conditions, and Appearance. It wasn't until the mid-20th century and the cultivar Kentucky 31 that horticulturists and landscapers began to recognise its inherent advantages as a lawn grass. Centipede grass is a popular southeast grass that needs plenty of sunlight. No matter which type of grass you choose, youll be sure to have a beautiful lawn that you can enjoy for years to come! The biggest difference between these two types of grass is that St Augustine is much more drought-resistant than buffalo. Based in Melbourne, Steve's passion is vegetable gardening, and hes been writing about it for almost 5 years. Take action if you notice anything out of the ordinary particularly brown spots or mildew. Decades ago, if you lived in Florida, you had a choice of St Augustine, St Augustine, or St Augustine. Can Buffalo grass overtake it? Some homeowners have also had success using a Buffalo grass spray to kill off the St Augustine grass. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. 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! Buffalo tolerates shade very well compared to other varieties. Spectracide vs Roundup Which is the Best Weed Killer? It has very little cold tolerance, so if you have mild winters or occasional cold snaps, then its best to pass this grass by for something with higher cold tolerance. Sitemap | About Us | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact Me | Privacy Policy. When rains resume it will quickly green up. This species of grass creates a dense mat due to its stolons that allow it to grow low and close to the soil. 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. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Buffalo Grass is a great no-mow grass. Check out this article when fescue goes up against zoysia which is known as a more invasive grass species to really see a difference with temperament. 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. Mowing height: 3 to 4 inches. Different Types of Lawn Aerators Explained Holy Lawns, Batman! If there are any weeds growing in between patches of dead Buffalo Grass then pull them out as soon as possible using some gloves. 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. Making the choice between Buffalo grass and St Augustine can be tough. Centipede grass costs around $0.80 per square foot or $365 per pallet. Specific zoysia and St. Augustine varieties may differ, but . There are plenty of other types of grass seed to choose from. Discover what makes these two grasses so desirable. Buffalo grass is a blue-green colour while St Augustine is a dark green colour. However, St. Augustine grass requires regular fertilizer and pesticides, as its prone to disease and can be fussy in a nonideal environment. However, there are some key differences between these two grasses: Buffalo grass generally has a relatively brighter green color with wide blades. Sod, plugs, and stolons are the main ways in which this grass can be grown. Most cost-friendly upfront: St. Augustine Sun Tolerance 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. St Augustine is often a thinner grass, which makes it easier for weeds to take over. This is also the more weed-resistant option of the two, making for less weed picking work down the road. Another significant distinction is that St. Augustine is shade-tolerant, whereas Bermuda grass does not thrive in shady regions. Although we all want the best-looking lawn, budgets can be tight. And you must always be keeping an eye out for disease, pests, and bugs. Choose. Andy Gibson. 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? 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. The Best Installation Process Sod delivery fresh from the farm 1-800-381-8163, Posted by Razy Garcia-Sanchez on Jan 13, 2023. High amounts of fertilizer cost more money and take more time, while exacerbating other conditions like thatch or worsening its insect and disease resistance. Bahia grass can be grown through seed or sod and is known to have a longer growth period than other grass types; this slow growth rate can sometimes cause weed issues in early establishment, however, is short lived once matured. 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. Itll need more water and weeding during this period, but your patience will pay off as it becomes virtually indestructible and extremely low maintenance. These blades contain seed-heads that drop and propagate themselves, causing this grass to have an invasive aspect if left unmaintained. However, certain insects and diseases can also cause Buffalo grass to go dormant. 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. Theres a reason why centipede grass is also called the lazy mans grass. Fertilizer is a critical component in the growth of healthy lawn grass. The grass is known for its rich, bluish-green tint, which is most prominent during the warmer seasons. 8 Plants That Look Just Like Queen Annes Lace, 6 Fascinating Plants that Look Like Elderberry. Spectracide vs Roundup Which is the Best Weed Killer? Join us to learn about the differences - and similarities- between two of the most popular types of sod, St. Augustine grass and Buffalo grass. 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 is a very slow-growing type of grass, so it will take several years for it to spread and overtake an existing lawn. Watering 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). This type of grass is known for being very tough and durable. However, it will always come back in the springtime, as long as you take care of it. 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. Mow at a higher level than normal. St. Augustine Grass A wider blade than Bermuda grass, it can tolerate a good amount of Shade. Will Buffalo Grass Overtake a St Augustine Lawn? Once in place, it establishes itself quickly. Key Differences Between Bahia Grass and St. Augustine Grass, Characteristics, Growing Conditions and Appearance, Planting and Caring for St. Augustine Grass. Buffalo Grass or St Augustine: What is Better? (Answered!). Emerald is a fine-bladed selection that is very attractive. Buffalo grass is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases, especially weeds. Buffalo Grass should be kept taller at 3 to 4 inches or even left at its maximum height of 6 inches. We hope you have found this information helpful and useful! Just a few of these problems include Take-All Root Rot, chinch bugs, Brown Patch, Gray Leaf Spot, and Lethal Viral Necrosis. A lackluster, patchy yard can make for an eyesore. St Augustine is not drought hardy at all and needs more than an inch of water per week. How to Protect Grass From Frost & What to Do. Feb 27, 2023, The Best Sod for Oakland Similarly, it usually gives off a more fresh-cut look than Buffalo grass. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As we mentioned above, Buffalo grass is native to North America while St Augustine is native to Africa and Asia. You can also read our St. Augustine vs Buffalo grass article here. I like to think of myself as the Bond of the backyard, that is if yard work ever became sexy. Each variety of grass requires different mowing heights to perform and looks its best. Best for Shaded Areas with Sprinkler Systems. Fescue doesnt need to be mowed that often, and given that you should be aiming to take no more than third of the blade tip each time, I would recommend waiting until the fescue is between 3-3 3/4 inches before breaking out the mower. Buffalo Grass is a true transition zone grass that acts like a warm-season grass. St. Augustine grass, on the other hand, starts to die in temperatures below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a hair more susceptible to cold damage. Centipede grass and St. Augustine grass arent the only grass species for their respective climate zones. Drought tolerant. drought tolerance, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, etc.). St. Augustine will need the application of a suitable fertilizer, and if the soil has a higher pH, then iron supplements might need to be applied. This is largely due to the fact that it doesnt do well on its own in full sun. However, for the initial installation, both types of grasses are usually priced similarly. Unlike Bermuda grass grows well in the full sunlight. Sitemap | About Us | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact Me | Privacy Policy. 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. 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. 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. 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. Easy Gardens Life | Copyright 2022 All rights Reserved. St Augustine prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, so long as it gets about 4 hours of sun per day. Overall, the choice between Buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass will depend on the specific climate, soil conditions, immediate conditions, and desired outcomes (i.e. Also, water the St. Augustine grass the night before mowing so it is healthy and perked up the following day for mowing. Its a soft grass, which makes it enjoyable as a tactile, roll-around option, ideal in areas where children (and adults) like to play. 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. Color: Dark green. A St. Augustine lawn should be mown to a height of 2" to 2.5". Quick tip: And you can read this article for a more in-depth analysis of St. Augustine vs centipede. Zoysia vs. St. Augustine Grass Mowing Heights and Growth Habits. 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. In addition to looking great and being low maintenance, buffalo grass has other characteristics that make it appealing to homeowners who love its distinct look (and unique texture). Zoysia grass costs twice the price of St. Augustine grass on average and it has thinner blades and a deeper green appearance. This means that if you live in an area where its hot and dry, or you dont water your lawn often, then st Augustine may be a better choice for you. This broad-bladed, medium-green turf grass thrives in sunny locations . Carpet grass is also known as mat grass and has a creeping, stoloniferous growth habit. A warm and humid atmosphere near coastal regions is favorable for St Augustine grass. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. For instance, homeowners living in hot, dry climates would be better off with Buffalo grass. Also, Kikuyu needs more mowing than Buffalo. 10 Best Outdoor Bedding Ideas for Dogs in 2023. St Augustine Grass Vs. Centipede Grass. Heres how these grass varieties compare to each other. With a name like Buffalo Grass, you might expect this grass to be especially rough underfoot. Grasses are spread through two different types of runners: rhizomes and stolons. Always check the scientific name when looking for information. Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance type of grass while St Augustine requires a bit more care and attention. 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. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Healthier soil with lots of microorganisms will also break down thatch before it becomes a problem, and St Augustines high fertilizer needs pretty much destroy any beneficial microbes that would help you. St Augustine is a type of warm-season grass that is native to Africa and Asia. 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. The soil in which St. Augustine thrives best is obviously preferred to be fertile, however, can actually also grow well in sandy soils as well as clay soils with a high range of pH levels ranging from 5 to 8.5, talk about versatility! If youre in an area with water restrictions, then Buffalo Grass could be your answer. Buffalo grass can be grown by seed or sod. Fine fescue isnt a particularly aggressive species, and it plays well with others. Despite being moderately high-maintenance, St. Augustine grass is popular for several reasons. However, St. Augustine grass usually has a deeper, darker green color compared to St. Augustine. Aerate your lawn regularly by poking holes into the soil surface with a garden fork or aeration tool. It grows . Similar to Buffalo grass, warm climates should not have any problems with St Augustine grass going dormant during the winter. Many homeowners love its versatility, saying that when well maintained, it does not attract weeds or pests as other grasses can. There are many varieties of Buffalo grass, some more common than others. No longer is Buffalo grass sharp and scratchy, but it has been altered to no be much less problematic for allergy sufferers. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online. harmony st augustine grassRelated. Bermuda Vs Tall Fescue: Whats Better For My Lawn? As for appearance, theyre recognizable for their fine, hair-like aesthetic, with thin blades that are no more than 1/16-inch or less and that taper into a pronounced tip. 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. This means that if you live in an area where it's hot and dry, or you don't water your lawn often, then st Augustine may be a better choice for you. 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. When Grass Becomes a Weed: How to Control and Get Rid of Bermuda Grass. Read More . As such, there will rarely be a need to replace it. The stolons are a dark reddish/brown colour and spread flat along the surface of the soil, as you can see clearly in the below video. If you have pets or children or enjoy doing outdoor activities in your yard, this grass may not hold up. If you love Buffalo grass, youll be happy to know that there are many varieties. How to Make Grass Thicker, Greener and Fuller The Essential Guide. Still, we all have our favorites, and you can tell me yours in the comments below. 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. 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