Palmetto and Floratam-this one please

salladay – posted 31 October 2003 19:37

please reply to this message and ignore the other two – i am now registered with the site on this one and will get an e-mail when there is a reply. sorry for the confusion…

I am a homeowner in South Florida. I recently had a landscape company put in a new lawn for our home. They said they would be installing Floratam and, indeed they did for the first 60% of the lawn. Then they ran out of sod and went off to resupply. They returned to finish the job with a different grass called Palmetto which they installed in the remaining 40% with the split running smack dab down the center of our front yard. They say that the grass will look even in color and height and no one will know the difference. Now, 4 weeks later, the Floratam is several inches higher and a little greener. They still say they will even out in time.

I found the info on your website most useful and also fear now that there will be a distinct difference in greenness in the colder months.

I want them to replace one or the other – probably the palmetto since there is less chinch bug resistance (not a problem yet). They have so far refused and I am trying to get some expert advice before deciding whether to do something drastic like go to small claims court.

Can you offer any advice e on whether I will ever have an even appearance lawn with these two types of grass in it?

I am most appreciative for any advice you can offer.

Thank you,Jeff SalladayBoca Raton, FL

jr – posted 31 October 2003 20:18

I replaced a portion of a customer’s floratam yard with palmetto when the floratam died due to the shade from a neighbor’s tree. The tree has since been removed and the only person who knows where the floratam ends and the palmetto begins is me. So there is nothing to worry about. And trust me, the landscape company would have much rather finished the job with the floratam, because palmetto isn’t cheap.

Big Dogs – posted 01 November 2003 07:44

Palmetto is awesome. It was designed for conditions like yours. Check out this site.

www.turfgrassamerica.com

Go to products, grass varieties.Then find palmetto under the St. Augustine heading. Click on the word palmetto, and it will tell you all about it.

[This message has been edited by Big Dogs (edited 01 November 2003).]

salladay – posted 01 November 2003 14:26

quote:Originally posted by jr:I replaced a portion of a customer’s floratam yard with palmetto when the floratam died due to the shade from a neighbor’s tree. The tree has since been removed and the only person who knows where the floratam ends and the palmetto begins is me. So there is nothing to worry about. And trust me, the landscape company would have much rather finished the job with the floratam, because palmetto isn’t cheap.

Thanks a lot. I guess it will just take a little time and a few cuttings for the height to even out since the Palmetto grows vertically at a slower rate. Right? And – from your experience – you don’t think we’ll have a different color green in winter in South Florida? Thanks again.

salladay – posted 04 November 2003 14:44

Thanks a lot. I guess it will just take a little time and a few cuttings for the height to even out since the Palmetto supposedly grows vertically at a slower rate. But won’t there always be a height difference a few days after cutting? The grass is split right in the middle of our yard and it’s not that big of a yard – 75’x 30′ deep.

Also – from your experience – you don’t think we’ll have a different color green in winter in South Florida?

Thanks again.

jr – posted 04 November 2003 16:22

That’s only four and a half pallets. I don’t see why they couldn’t get their hands on that amount of floratam, and it wouldn’t cost them a whole lot to pick up the palmetto and replace it with floratam if it is that big of a concern to you. So, you can always sue them if you want. It would be cheaper for them to just do what you want them to do than to defend themselves in court, lose, and have to replace it anyway.But honestly, if there are differences in growth rate and color, it’s not noticeable to me. Like I said, I have the two varieties growing right next to eachother and I’m there every week. The only reason I know which is which is because I am the one that installed it.

salladay – posted 05 November 2003 12:48

I agree – it would be cheaper for them to replace it rather than go to court. Hopefully, they’ll wise up before we get there. I wish I could attach a picture so you could see I’m not just being extraordinarily picky. I have a picture with a ruler that shows a 4″ height difference 1 week after cutting.

Anyway, thanks again for your help.

Regards

rgjack – posted 07 November 2003 12:46

More than likely you signed a contract that specifies the grass type. They have not complied with the contract. Simple as that. No compliance, no payment.

DoctorAnswerMan – posted 31 October 2005 19:02

The Palmetto variety, in theory, will retain a deeper, greener color longer and better under cold weather situations than Floratam. Other than that, I would not expect too much difference. I have seen that in Brevard County. As for south Flroida, I doubt (and hope) that you never have to find out! As for the Floratam being taller initially, it was planted first, right? Anyway…the difference in height after a while should not be so great AND the two will spread across each others domain after a season or so an all problems will fade. i say you have a great opportunity and have received a great value.I would rather replace the Floratam with Palmetto. As for Chinch Bug resistance, forget it! ALL St. Augustine varieties are like Red Lobster during “All You Can Eat Week” for Chinch Bugs. Inspect and treat your lawn regularly for this unavoideable St. Augustine Pest.You should thank your contractor for going deep into his pocket and taking a loss to provide you better than what you paid for. Fact.