If you love Buffalo grass, youll be happy to know that there are many varieties. Both of these types of grass have their pros and cons, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Sow in late summer/early fall, when soil temperatures are the best for growth consistently just above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but without the blazing heat and stress of the summer months. St. Augustine grass is common in southeastern coastal regions. It uses about as much water to keep it green as St. Augustine, but it does have the capability to go dormant in a drought. Spectracide vs Roundup Which is the Best Weed Killer? You can rest at ease if you are planning to grow this grass on your lawn. Note for the purposes of this article, well be talking about fine fescue grass, and not tall fescue. Both grasses benefit from mowing as it encourages them to spread. For those interested in creating a more native, wildlife friendly landscape, buffalograss is the natural choice. Propagation of St. Augustine is through stolons, plugs or sods and when in its early establishment around 7 to 10 days after planting it does require some help in terms of care and maintenance, however, once it have matured and created stability in the soil, it can spread and propagate via its stolons on its own. This guide will cover all the ins and outs of common Buffalo grass identification. Sapphire vs Sir Walter Buffalo Grass: Which to Choose? St. Augustine, or Buffalo grass, is known for its coarse texture and density which create a bounce when walked on. No. #514-1231 Pacific Blvd We all know that weeds can be a real pain to deal with. This is mostly because buffalo grass is much easier to maintain. St Augustine vs Fescue: Whats Better For My Lawn? Look out for yellowing grass spots in St. Augustine that could mean an iron deficiency. It also has a beautiful texture thats soft underfoot but doesnt get matted down by foot traffic or rainstorms like some other types of grass do. Differences Between Buffalo Grass and St Augustine. Bermuda grass, compared to St. Augustine, has much thinner blades, is softer to the touch, and has a higher tolerance for colder weather. Quick tip: Take a look at this article for some top tips on how to properly mow your lawn. A good sprinkler system is highly advisable especially if you live in a region with little rainfall. The short answer is yes, Buffalo grass can eventually take over a St Augustine lawn. Youll often find they are regularly blended to stand a better chance of survival. But as other grasses have become more popular, people have realized that St Augustine comes with a long roster of problems. No, Buffalo grass does not need to be replaced. However, having said all that, for the sheer fact that it is much easier to maintain in the long run, I would say fescue edges it. Buffalo Grass vs. St. Augustine: What's the Difference? Buffalo grass is well-suited to grow in a variety of soil types and can thrive in a range of climates, including hot and dry regions. Proper maintenance will aid in curbing its invasive behavior through proper watering techniques, to regular mowing. All in all, if you live in an area with a warm climate, you can expect Buffalo grass to stay green all year long. 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! As we mentioned above, Buffalo grass is native to North America while St Augustine is native to Africa and Asia. Pesticides are not normally required, although you should take care in high moisture areas and ensure you have adequate drainage. Its known as buffalo turf in Australia and buffalo grass in South Africa. Buffalo grass is a good choice for people who live in hot, dry climates. For a low-maintenance yard, centipede grass is a solid choice. When using plugs, youll need 18 to cover 32 square feet. These blades contain seed-heads that drop and propagate themselves, causing this grass to have an invasive aspect if left unmaintained. Failing that, spring is also a good time to plant a fescue seed mix. As one of the few native North American grasses, Buffalo Grass is becoming more popular as a turfgrass, as its uniquely suited to growing in areas with low rainfall and frequent droughts. 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. Centipede grass, also known as Eremochloa buse, is a medium-textured, low growing grass that produces a dense and weed-free turf.It is an aggressively growing grass that is fairly attractive and requires little care. So, if youre trying to decide which one is best for your lawn, its important to take the time to learn about the key differences between these two options. 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. St Augustine thrives in the sandy soils that Buffalo Grass struggles in and prefers acidic soils to match. Sitemap | About Us | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact Me | Privacy Policy. Whilst predominantly limited in terms of popularity in these areas, this grass type offers great drought and heat resistance as well as a durability and low maintenance. Similarly, St. Augustine does not seed, so St. Augustine grass has to be installed via St. Augustine sod rolls, St. Augustine grass plugs or St. Augustine sprigs. This encourages deep root growth and helps the grass to become more drought-tolerant. Andy Gibson. Though centipede grass originates from Southeast Asia, it quickly spread across the U.S. in the early 20th century and continues to be a staple choice for lawns today. 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. Although they are both warm-season grasses, they come from different parts of the world. 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. It is soft, dense and has that really great green color that shows health in a lawn. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. While both spread to create new blades of grass, rhizomes are underground while stolons are above ground. Check that your soil PH levels are correct. Please feel free to call us with any further questions at 1-800-831-8163. Carpet grass is also known as mat grass and has a creeping, stoloniferous growth habit. Here are several alternative grass species for warm season climate zones: Some plants overstay their welcome, even after you've shown them the door. Feb 15, 2023, Kurapia Ground Cover Stress Testing Vlog 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. Bahia grass can be grown through either sod or seed and requires little attention as it is usually very self-sufficient. 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? Fine fescue isnt a particularly aggressive species, and it plays well with others. 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). Email: Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. link to Dormant Grass vs Dead Grass How to Tell the Difference & What to Do? Buffalo Grass should be kept taller at 3 to 4 inches or even left at its maximum height of 6 inches. But as long as the roots are still alive, the grass will come back in the springtime. Andy Gibson. 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. Buffalo Grass is a true transition zone grass that acts like a warm-season grass. Centipede Grass. However, it will dominate if its optimum conditions are met, while other grasses needs arent being fulfilled but the same can be said for almost all grass types. 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 biggest properties that make this grass a winner for southeastern lawns include its salt, heat, humidity, and shade tolerance. Additionally, the roots of Buffalo grass grow deep into the ground, making it harder for weeds to compete for resources. Buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass are both types of warm-season grasses, meaning that they are well-suited to areas with hot, humid climates. But dont confuse fine fescue with tall fescue here which is a stiffer grass with not as much give. They both spread by stolons and form a thick mat of turfgrass. harmony st augustine grass Note: Don't use a corn meal pre-emergent for weeds in a season you are trying to germinate clover seed. Discover what makes these two grasses so desirable. It is one of the most common varieties of grass in Australia, but understanding how to identify Buffalo grass can be difficult for beginners. Having either buffalo grass or st. Augustine in your lawn is a great choice for homeowners looking to minimize their water usage and save money in these tough economic times, but in the end, it all comes down to personal preference and whats best for your individual lawn. Centipedegrass does not have a dormant season, so it will stay a bright, yellow-green year-round. It is not drought tolerant at all, needing twice as much water as Bermuda grass. In order to speed up the process, you can take some steps to encourage the growth of Buffalo grass. 10624 RR 620, Austin, Texas 78726. Newer Post . You need not worry about pests and disease if you grow a Buffalo Grass lawn. Soil pH: 5.0 to 8.5. However, in colder areas, it is possible for the grass to die off and stop growing. Only then will you be able to make an informed decision about which type of grass is right for you. High amounts of fertilizer cost more money and take more time, while exacerbating other conditions like thatch or worsening its insect and disease resistance. For instance, homeowners living in hot, dry climates would be better off with Buffalo grass. Buffalo on the other hand only needs mowing every 2-3 weeks. Compared to other grass species, such as Bermuda and Kikuyu grass, St. Augustine is in the low-risk category of invasive grasses. However, there are some key differences between these two grasses: Buffalo grass generally has a relatively brighter green color with wide blades. link to Dormant Grass vs Dead Grass How to Tell the Difference & What to Do? Buffalo (St Augustine) and Kikuyu look very similar, as they both have a flattened leaf sheath, a fringe of hairs on the ligules, and no auricles. Color: Dark green.
