miamicanes – posted 01 March 2004 06:45
Every time I go up north and rediscover what it’s like to walk barefoot on nice, soft grass, I come home to Miami *hating* the awful rough crabgrass-like grass that’s nearly universal here. Is there any reasonable way to grow northern-type grass (like Kentucky Bluegrass) in relatively small areas?
I have a townhouse with a walled-in back yard that’s roughly 10 x 16 feet (semi-shade), so cost per square foot is a minor concern. And, thanks to the privacy provided by the walls and near-impossibility for anyone besides an adjacent neighbor to get anywhere close, the likelihood of getting caught watering it during water restrictions is basically nil.
What, exactly, is it about south Florida that “normal” grass doesn’t like? Too much water during the summer? Too hot in direct sunlight? Nasty bugs that can’t be easily killed that don’t exist up north?
ted – posted 01 March 2004 10:36
it’s too hot! bluegrass is a cool season grass- you could get away with overseeding it in the winter, and it would do well, but the rest of the year it won’t work- it likes temps in the 60’s thru the mid 80’s tops. has alot of bug and disease problems as well. no grass grows everywhere- believe me there’s people up north that would kill for st. augustine! blue grass belongs in the upper midwest, northeast etc. not florida.
miamicanes – posted 01 March 2004 14:25
Sigh. Is there at least any variety of grass that halfway resembles civilized grass, or is south Florida just stuck with slightly-cultured crabgrass? (why in god’s name ANYONE would actually ENVY Florida grass is beyond me)
kajo1843 – posted 01 March 2004 18:17
I’m hoping I’ll be able to get away with some variety of Fescue. I’m between Ocala and Leesburg and feel the same way about the local grass. Came from Kansas City last winter and I’m going to try a fescue blend. It gets over 100 in KC and the sun is very strong. We get a frost in this area, so I hope the fescue will work.
ted – posted 02 March 2004 13:38
people up north like the thickness of st. augustine- everybody always wants what they don’t have!
tommy – posted 02 March 2004 18:08
Can’t you grow perennial rye in south florida in the winter? It may only be around for a few months, but at least you could enjoy a liitle bit of the north for a bit! There is hardly a turf more beautiful than the new perennial rye varities!
dm – posted 10 March 2004 06:59
Fescue hates the heat, but humidity is much worse due to the disease factor.
I wouldn’t waste money trying to seed Fescue in Florida.
If you want a northern-style lawn, put down bermuda and overseed with perennial rye each fall.
Cary, NC – posted 13 March 2005 19:18
Zoysiagrass looks a lot like KB, just better. I’m not sure if grows well down there, but up here in NC strugles to survive almost every winter.
Look for Zenith, or El Toro Zosia. Ther are beautiful to say the least.
I’m 100% with you on St. Augustine grass, I used to live in Miami years ago.