Alternative to St. Augustine Grass?

17 years ago

Hey guys,

I've tried to eliminate a lot of my yard by planting native plants and creating a lot of mulched areas with cypress mulch that are self sustaining. I have also noticed that the areas which are typically shaded by my trees (at least during one part of the day or another), the grass is really healthy, and really strong.

In the areas that are exposed to direct sunlight the entire day, it's not doing as well, and the grass is dead in some spots.

I have St. Augustine as the primary grass. I'm wondering if there's anything else that's a little bit more drought tolerant and maybe less course than the St. Augustine?

Thanks!!!

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Comments (4)

fawnridge (Ricky)
17 years ago
Gosh, that's a tough one... how about... anything?

Seriously, plant shrubs, use more mulch, rocks with bromeliads, more trees, a pond, take your pick.
manature
17 years ago
Hi, Todd. I'm not a fan of ANY kind of lawn, usually, though I know in some communities, you have to maintain a certain amount of grass. If that isn't a problem where you live, why not keep on gradually eliminating the St. Augustine? If you don't want to plant more shrubs, how about low growing ground covers that are good for your zone? Start in the areas where the lawn already looks bad, and think of other solutions.

There are grasses that use less water than St. Augustine, including Bahia, which will still go brown without water, but which usually greens up again as soon as the rains come (rather than dying out completely). The downside to Bahia is a lot more mowing, as it sends up 2' tall seed stems constantly. And it's not as attractive to many people.

Overall, your life will be easier with less lawn areas. Hope that's an option for ya.

Marcia
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Tom
3 years ago
Todd, if you have St. Augustine grass you will need to treat it for chinch bugs. They can destroy your grass in a hurry. They multiply best during hot months, so they shouldn't be such a problem going forward. For now, you can get a liquid pesticide and spray around the areas affected. Long term there are many options, but if you need to have a lawn bahía is a better alternative, because it is more drought resistant and much more resistant to insects.
corkball (z6 TN)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Honestly, I feel so bad for folks in HOAs that need to maintain a monoculture grass. It is really hard to do in Florida. There are so many microconditions in a yard that create all kinds of issues (sun/shade, wet/well drained, competition, etc). I must have 1/2 dozen different grasses in my yard. The nice thing about Florida is all kinds of stuff will grow, so I just mow it all to grass height, and voila! A yard! I have all kinds of funky stuff - ground peanut, betony, bahia, beggartick, wild lilies, GOBS of wildflowers I can't identify, milkpea, etc. Yeah, if I dont stay on top of the mowing, it grows out unevenly, but otherwise, I always have a groundcover. Some spots even rotate winter/summer covers just based on what is there (chickweed becomes common in winter eg). Some of it is pretty, and some is even edible! Great deal! The only downside I see is sandburs.