|
STATE
GUIDE | TURF HELP | GRASS
CHOICES | CLIMATE
ZONE | HOME
Recommended Grass For Florida Lawns
Lawns in Florida are divided somewhat by a line across the state around Ocala. All of Florida is suited for certain varieties, while several lawn varieties are limited in use in South Florida because of nematode problems in the sandy soils.
While these grass varieties can be planted in South Florida, professional insecticide applications are required which most home lawn owners would prefer to avoid.
GRASS FOR ALL OF FLORIDA
Bahiagrass - Argentine:
Planted both from seeds and sod, Argentine
is probably the most popular grass in Florida, competing with St. Augustine for this title. Its main draw back is the seed heads produced during active summer growth requires frequent mowing. It is a wide bladed grass that has excellent drought tolerance. Overseeding every 2-3 years is recommended to keep a high density stand for good appearance as it thins out over time.
Bahiagrass - Pensacola & Tifton 9: Pensacola and Tifton 9
can be found throughout Florida on roadsides, pastures and industrial type lawn situations. It has a narrower leaf than Argentine Bahia, but it not considered to make a nice residential type lawn. It is used in areas of lower maintenance type lawns. Like Argentine its seed head production is objectionable from a maintenance standpoint. It is probably a little more drought tolerant than Argentine and overall is the most drought tolerant grass for Florida use.
St. Augustine: No seeds are available for this grass. It must be sprigged, plugged or sodded. St. Augustine is very popular in South Florida for lawn use. It has fair salt tolerance and excellent shade tolerance making it ideal for the large coastal city areas. Newer improved varieties can be purchased which have less disease and insect problems. Its biggest drawback lately has been it doesn't tolerate drought conditions and often will die without supplemental irrigation in those conditions. Lately water restrictions in Florida are making this grass less appealing for homeowners.
Ryegrasses - Both Annual & Perennial Ryegrass
is used for overseeding lawns, sports fields and golf courses to provide a winter "green" cover when other grasses may be dormant. Perennial Ryegrass in florida performs similar to an annual, dieing out around May as warm temperatures return. Ryegrasses are used for overseeding lawns in ALL parts of Florida.
They do have a shorter season of use in Southern Florida areas, generally being planted later in Fall as temps cool.
GRASS FOR LIMITED USE IN SOUTH FLORIDA
BUT IS USED IN NORTH FLORIDA
NOTE: All of the above grasses are also used in North Florida
Bermuda Grass: Bermudagrass is found on heavier soils throughout Florida. Its use on sandier soils is limited by Nematode problems. Bermuda has good drought tolerance and is used extensively for professionally managed fields such as golf fairways and greens and sports related athletic fields. Both hybrid (sodded /
sprigged) varieties and improved seeded cultivars are available. Many hay production fields in Florida also use hybrid forage varieties.
Centipedegrass: Centipede grass is an attractive low maintenance grass found mainly in home lawns from Ocala North. It is also planted extensively in West Florida.
Carpetgrass: Carpetgrass can be found throughout Florida and is used in lower maintenance areas of moist, acidic, low fertility soils. It has the same objectionable factor of seed head production as Bahiagrasses.
Zoysiagrass: Zoysia grass has found some limited use in Florida.
Zoysia is now available in seeds for faster establishment time under proper maintenance.
SEE MORE INFORMATION ON THESE GRASSES BELOW!
|
Lawngrass.com - Lawn Solutions For Your Location |
|
Online Resources For Growing Grass In Florida
GREAT SITE:
Florida Turf - VERY GOOD INFO ON GRASSES IN FLORIDA!
ALSO EXCELLENT INFO
IFAS / EDIS - FLORIDA LAWN HANDBOOK:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_BOOK_Florida_Lawn_Handbook
Links from Florida Lawn Handbook listed below:
FLORIDA Cooperative Extension Service - Contact your local County agent:
http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu/
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA - Go Gators!
Turfgrass Science Dept: http://turf.ufl.edu/
Climate Zone Map And Grass Selection Chart For Florida
 |
FLORIDA
CLIMATE ZONES
9 &
10
Grass
Zone Selection
Chart |
95 % of Florida - Zone 9.
Extreme southern tip of Florida - Zone 10.
|
Lawngrass.com - Lawn Solutions For Your Location |
|
Lawns: Choices | States
| Diseases | Fertilizers | Irrigation | Mowing
| Pests | Weeds
|
