The Grass Factor

When it comes to grass, most people only think of it as an afterthought. Grass is more often than not viewed as an aspect of landscape that is almost second nature, and concerns of the planting and care of grass come only after the flowers, trees and shrubs have all been accounted for. However, as the foundation of almost any landscape, the grass factor should be on the top of your gardening to-do list.

But where do you begin? It’s not like you can waltz up to your local nursery and purchase a full yard’s worth of this green turf the way you can an apple tree or rose bush. There are many factors that go into the installation, maintenance and irrigation of grass, and a thorough understanding of each is imperative to a lush, green landscape year-round.

To get you started on the proper grass-laden path, we have outlined a few of the most popular and productive grass cultivars most suitable to Florida landscapes.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine grass is the most common grass family found in Florida lawns and properties. St. Augustine cultivars are established by planting sod and can adapt to a variety of soil types. Although very popular, watch out for fungus growth during the summer months. If fungus is found, apply an application of fungicide or contact a local professional lawn spray service to. St. Augustine is the most shade tolerate of the common grass varieties. The St. Augustine family includes Floratam, Palmetto, Del-Mar, and Seville types of grass.

Bahia

Bahia grass is an excellent choice for dryer regions, as it is drought tolerant and flourish even in sandy soils. This family of grass needs full sun to grow properly and does not respond well to salt water or heavy foot traffic. The Bahia family includes Argentine, Pensacola, and Paraguay types of grass.

Zoysia

Zoysia grass is also commonly found in residential and commercial landscapes in the south. It is adaptable to a variety of soil types and tolerates shade well. Zoysia grass is drought tolerant, Chinch Bug resistant, and needs fewer chemicals to meet “green building” standards. The Zoysia family includes Meyer, EL Toro, Empire, and Empress types of grass.

Centipede

This low maintenance turfgrass is the most common type of grass found in the Florida Panhandle due its adaptability to the climate and soil types in northern Florida. Centipede grass is lighter than other grasses and can turn temporarily yellow in early spring. This grass variety can be established by either seed, sod, or plugs, and the optimum time to sod or seed Centipede grass is in April through July to allow for a complete growing season.

Bermuda

Bermuda grass is an excellent choice for Florida landscapes as it is drought and salt tolerant and does well in both full sun and partial shade. Bermuda grass is commonly found on the golf courses all over the south. The Bermuda family include Improved Bermudagrass and Common Bermudagrass.

Seashore Paspalcum

This grass variety is becoming increasingly popular in southern Florida regions, as it is able to withstand heavy amounts of rainfall and warmer climates. Seashore Paspalcum is best grown in the summer months.

Once you have selected and established grass into your landscape, proper fertilizer application will ensure that it maintains its lush green appearance. Fertilizer is best applied during the fall season as nutrients are most effectively absorbed in the fall weather. However, not all fertilizers are created equal. Slow-release fertilizers are the optimum and most cost-effective choice for lawn care, and they reduce nitrogen loss due to rain. A Spring application of slow release fertilizer is recommended. A general 10-10-10 fertilizer is safe to use on all types of grass to ensure good growth. Be sure that you are incorporating water in to your fertilizer regimen, as the two work together to ensure proper propagation of plant roots.