Which grass is right?

Bermuda

Characteristics: Soft, slightly rounded leaf tips. Rapid growth rate. Best choice for athletic fields and parks; fast recovery from damage.

Environmental requirements: Full sun, good drainage, low water use, good salt tolerance, good traffic tolerance.

Maintenance: Mow at 1/2- to 1-inch height with reel mower. Fertilizer use high. Susceptible to armyworm, webworm and root rot. Excellent herbicide tolerance.



Centipede

Characteristics: Soft, slightly rounded leaf tips. Very slow growth rate. Tight growth. Shade tolerant. Extremely low maintenance. Good for home lawns.

Environmental requirements: 50 percent sunlight, fair drainage, medium water use, poor salt tolerance, poor traffic tolerance.

Maintenance: Mow at 1-1/2 inches with rotary mower. Fertilizer use very low. Poor herbicide tolerance.



Seashore Paspalum

Characteristics: Soft, slightly rounded leaf tips. Rapid growth rate. Very tight growth if mowed low. Good for home lawns, commercial landscapes and resort areas.

Environmental requirements: Full sun, good-to-fair drainage, medium water use, excellent salt tolerance, good-to-fair traffic tolerance.

Maintenance: Mow at 1/2- to 1-inch height with reel mower. Fertilizer use high. Susceptible to armyworm and webworm damage. Poor herbicide tolerance.



St. Augustine

Characteristics: Stiff, rounded leaf tips. Medium growth rate. Smothers weeds if mowed at correct height. Very shade tolerant. Excellent for large areas such as resort areas under trees.

Environmental requirements: 40 percent sun, good-to-fair drainage, low water use, good salt tolerance, good traffic

tolerance.

Maintenance: Mow at 2-1/2 inches with rotary mower. Medium fertilizer use. Susceptible to gray leaf spot. Fair herbicide tolerance.



Zoysia

Characteristics: Stiff, acutely pointed leaf tips. Very slow growth rate. Extremely tight growth smothers weeds; very tough and can take abuse, but slow to recover from damage. Good for home lawns, commercial landscapes and resort areas.

Environmental requirements: 50 percent sun, good-to-fair drainage, medium water use, excellent salt tolerance, good-to-fair traffic tolerance.

Maintenance: Mow at 1/2- to 1-inch height with reel mower. Fertilizer use low. Excellent herbicide tolerance.



The related story:

Grass Splendor

Many to choose from

Planning and professional help




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