The Best Grass Types for Florida Lawns
Keeping your Florida lawn healthy year-round starts with choosing the best grass to thrive in your area. The best choice varies depending on where you live, the environment of your lawn, and how much you do to maintain it. We’ve outlined the most important factors to consider when choosing the best grass for a new lawn.
Types of Grass that Thrive in Florida
Florida’s warm and humid climate creates the perfect conditions for lush, green lawns. Choosing the right type of grass is crucial for maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn. Grass varieties that can thrive in Florida include Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, Zoysia grass, Bahia grass, Buffalo grass, Seashore Paspalum, and Centipede grass. However, the first three grass types are the most popular choices for Florida homeowners.
St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is the most common grass choice for Florida lawns due to its adaptability to the tropical climate. Known for its dense, carpet-like growth and vibrant dark green color, it can withstand high temperatures and is fairly drought-resistant and shade-tolerant. With a fast growth rate and salt tolerance, it’s popular in coastal areas with sandy soils. However, it’s not the best for high-traffic areas and its fast growth will also require more frequent mowing. There are various cultivars with different features; Floratam is more cost-effective, and Palmetto is known for its emerald green color.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is another warm-season grass that can be a good option for your Florida lawn. It is known for its drought tolerance and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic due to its deep root systems. Bermuda is a fast-growing turfgrass that is self-spreading, making it invasive to nearby planting beds. It thrives in full sunlight, making it an excellent choice for areas with plenty of sunshine. It thrives in many soil conditions and is a popular choice for home lawns. Homeowners looking for a Florida grass type that recovers quickly from stress and traffic should consider Bermuda grass for their lawns.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass is well-suited for Florida’s warm climate and is known for its dense, lush appearance. It’s the kind of grass that makes you want to walk barefoot, making its high tolerance for foot traffic a plus! Zoysia is also a drought-tolerant and water-efficient grass variety. It requires less water than other types of grass, so avoid overwatering. Zoysia grass also has a good resistance to pests and diseases. Homeowners looking for a grass type that can handle both sun and shade should consider Zoysia.
How to Choose the Best Type of Grass for Your Florida Lawn
Choosing the best grass for your Florida lawn depends on a few things. You should consider sun/shade tolerance, drought tolerance, and soil conditions. You should also consider how you will manage a high or low-maintenance lawn. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice:
Sun and Shade: Determine how much sunlight your lawn receives. Some grass types, like Bermuda grass, do best in full sun, while others, like Zoysia or St. Augustine grass, tolerate partial shade.
Soil Type: Consider your soil type. Bermuda grass, for example, does well with various soil types, while St. Augustine is a good option for sandy soils.
Maintenance Level: Ask yourself how much you can handle! Some grasses require more frequent mowing and fertilization, while others are lower-maintenance grass types.
Lawn Care Tips for Central Florida Lawns
Once you’ve picked the right grass for your Florida lawn, it’s important to follow proper lawn care practices to ensure it stays healthy and happy. Here are some tips for maintaining Central Florida lawns:
Mowing: Keep your lawn at the recommended mowing height for your grass type. Regular mowing promotes healthy growth, and dense turf, and helps control pests.
Watering: Water your lawn deeply and infrequently for stronger root systems. Early morning is the best time for watering to avoid losing water to evaporation. Keep an eye on the local weather and the amount of rainfall your lawn receives to avoid overwatering. Florida may be considered the sunshine state, but other than occasional periods of drought, it normally receives a good amount of rain.
Lawn Fertilization: Follow a fertilization schedule based on your grass type’s needs. Different grasses may require different nutrients at certain times of the year.
Local Lawn Care Professionals in Melbourne, Florida
For homeowners in Melbourne who picked the best grass, but need help with lawn maintenance, Pearce Lawn Care is here to help. We offer professional lawn care services for Florida grass types. Our services include weed control and lawn fertilization, aeration, pest control, and tree and shrub care in Central Florida. Since 1994, we’ve helped homeowners take the stress out of lawn care, so you can enjoy healthy, green grass year-round. Contact us today for a quote!