One house, two lawns?

inkeded – posted 05 September 2011 21:44

I am in the process of buying a new home. The builder has informed me that, due to watering restrictions (in Apopka, FL), I will have St. Augustine in the front yard and Bahia in the back. Only the front will have irrigation built-in. Seems strange to me! How much watering will the Bahia require (I’m pretty familiar with the St. Augustine)? More importantly, will the Bahia eventually start to overtake the front yard? If so, is there any way to prevent it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

seed – posted 05 September 2011 22:22

If it’s a level, sunny area, the bahiagrass should survive, once it is properly established, with no irrigation. If there is shade, the bahiagrass won’t make it.

Both grasses will encroach into one another, but in irrigated areas the St. Augustinegrass usually wins. Both grasses spread by stolons, aboveground runners, and can be pulled back, or held back, by various means such as as a 4×4 set halfway into the ground.

Ironically, depending on shade and activity in the back yard, the bahiagrass may be better suited to the front yard. The elected leadership probably thought the only purpose for having a lawn was appearance, not function, therefore the better appearing grass should be in the front yard.

inkeded – posted 05 September 2011 22:36

Great! Thank you for such a thorough and useful reply!