News
Highlights
- Warm-weather grasses include Bermuda and St. Augustine.
- Bermuda grass is drought-resistant and grows short.
- St. Augustine grows higher and requires more regular irrigation.
- Bermuda grass is not shade-tolerant, although St. Augustine is.
When deciding between Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass for Southern lawns, there is a lot to think about. You’ll need something that can withstand heat and maybe sandy soil, as well as grass that can survive dryness or shade. Bermuda and St. Augustine are two of the most preferred warm-weather grasses for lawns in the southern United States, but they have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here are some key distinctions between St. Augustine and Bermuda grass.
Bermuda Grass Pros and Cons
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Bermuda grass is a common warm-season grass for Southern lawns because it tolerates heat and drought well. It grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 6–11 and requires a slightly acidic soil pH of 6.5–7. 6 to 6.5 .
Pros of Bermuda Grass
There are various advantages to using Bermuda grass on your lawn. This grass is not only drought and heat tolerant, but also salt and insect resistant. If your children like running around the yard or enjoying backyard barbecues, bermuda grass will bounce back wonderfully from the foot activity.
Cons of Bermuda Grass
Some homeowners want to blend grass seeds to generate a fuller-looking lawn with several advantages, but keep in mind that bermuda grass is an invasive species. If you combine Bermuda with another grass seed, it has the potential to take over the lawn. This variety of grass likewise requires regular mowing to maintain a height of around 1½ inches . While bermuda grass thrives in hot weather, it cannot survive chilly or even gloomy conditions.
St. Augustine Grass Pros and Cons
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St. Augustine grass, like Bermuda grass, is a warm-weather grass. It likes soil pH ranging from around 5 to 8½ . It grows well in Hardiness Zones 8 through 10 and is the most popular grass in Florida.
Pros
St. Augustine grass can withstand heat but also tolerates shade. If you have trees on your lawn, you can be certain that this grass will grow in both the shade and the sun. This grass is likewise unconcerned with soil types and will thrive as long as the soil is well-draining.
Cons
St. Augustine, unlike Bermuda grass, is not drought resistant. If your yard isn’t getting enough rain, you’ll need to turn on the hose or turn on the sprinklers. 1 inch of water per week This variety of grass appears lush on the lawn, but avoid exposing it to excessive foot activity. St. Augustine grass can only withstand modest foot movement.
Bermuda Grass vs. St. Augustine Grass
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Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses are great rivals for Southern lawns, and some homeowners may combine the two species. Finding the proper grass for your lawn is dependent on where you live, how you want your lawn to appear, and how much time you want to put into keeping it. Consider employing a local lawn care company to assist you in determining the best grass type for your yard.
Sun
Bermuda grass is the greatest option for sunny yards. Bermuda is the clear winner in open regions that get all-day direct sunlight. While St. Augustine grass likes full direct sun, it may also tolerate some shade or less hours of direct sunlight each day.
Most sun tolerant: Bermuda
Shade
St. Augustine prefers direct sunshine, but it may also grow and flourish in somewhat shaded areas. Bermuda grass, on the other hand, prefers direct sunshine and has a limited tolerance for shadow.
Most shade tolerant: St. Augustine
Color
Either of these grass kinds may improve your curb appeal. Both Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses come in a variety of colors ranging from brilliant greens to deep blue-greens.
Most colorful: Tie
Blades
Bermuda grass has narrower, shorter blades, and St. Augustine grass has wide, towering blades. Bermuda has a gentle to rough texture, whereas St. Augustine has a coarser texture.
Best blades: Tie
Sod and Seed Options
To fit your tastes, you may choose a variety of Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses in a variety of hues. While Bermuda grass may be grown from seed or sod, St. Augustine is only available as sod. That means you have a few extra alternatives when it comes to buying bermuda grass.
More sod and seed options: Bermuda
Growing Conditions
St. Augustine tolerates a broad range of soil types and pH levels. 5 to 8.5 . Although it requires more water than Bermuda grass, it grows well in both sunlight and shade, making it simple to manage your lawn.
More adaptable growing conditions: St. Augustine
Durability
Bermuda and St. Augustine are both heat-tolerant grasses, although St. Augustine is less drought-tolerant. St. Augustine, on the other hand, is a fantastic option for shaded lawns since it is shade-tolerant, while Bermuda is not. Bermuda, on the other hand, wins overall because of its great tolerance and recuperation to wear and strain.
More durable: Bermuda
Price
Bermuda grass costs about $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot . St. Augustine is slightly less expensive at $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot . Bermuda grows best from seed, whereas St. Augustine grass can only be installed as plugs or sod.
More affordable: St. Augustine
Maintenance
Bermuda grass performs well at a low height, therefore regular mowing may be required. You’ll also need to edge your lawn on a regular basis to keep grass restricted neatly to the yard area, rather than allowing grass blades to grow over pathways or the driveway. St. Augustine may grow higher than Bermuda grass, but it requires more irrigation. Every year, St. Augustine requires fertilizer. 10 weeks , whereas bermuda grass needs fertilizer about twice per year .
Less maintenance: Bermuda
Mowing Heights
Because of the stiffer, thicker blades of St. Augustine, you may let it grow long and robust, allowing you or your local lawn mowing service to adjust the mowing height to between 2 and 4 inches. Bermuda grass thrives when trimmed to a height of 12 to 112 inches.
Higher mowing height: St. Augustine
Traffic Tolerance
In high-traffic locations, choose Bermuda grass species. While St. Augustine grass will suffer under heavy activity, Bermuda grass is significantly more resistant, especially in high-traffic areas such as golf courses and lawns.
More traffic tolerant: Bermuda
Drought Resistance and Tolerance
Although Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses are drought resistant, they need to be watered often throughout the growth season. Bermuda grass, on the other hand, does not need irrigation throughout the winter months since it stays dormant for the season.
More drought tolerant: Bermuda
Pests and Disease Tolerance
While both varieties of grass may be damaged by leaf spot, brown patch disease, and autumn armyworms, bermuda grass is susceptible to a number of additional pests and diseases. Bermuda grass mites, sod webworms, billbugs, and diseases such as dollar and spring dead spot and pythium may also be problems.
More pest and disease tolerant: St. Augustine