SW FLORIDA GRASS SELECTION

PINK SUNSET – posted 19 August 2009 09:13

I live on the Gulf Coast in South Florida. I currently have some Bahia in my yard. I say some Bahia because every time that I re-sod or re-seed different weeds come and take over the Bahia. I am tired of it and I want some grass that will stay and will not let the weeds to take over that easily. I have been researching and a lot of sites recomend Zoysia as the best!. Then others say that Centipede is better than Zoysia. Another will say that Bermuda will take over anything and will not let weeds to grow. Then another one says that Bahia is much better than Bermuda and less hard to maintain. Obviously I don’t know about Bermuda, but Bahia is not working for me and lawn maintenance companies don’t want to work in Bahia.Can somebody give me advice? I will truly appreciate it!

tommy – posted 19 August 2009 14:50

Generally the more dense the grass is, the more it repels weeds. Certain bermuda’s are extremely dense, as well as most Zoysia, and also Paspalum. Check the selection of grasses that sod farms carry- closest to your local, and this will give an idea what to use. They will only grow what is adapted to that area.

PINK SUNSET – posted 21 August 2009 09:15

If you have to pick between centipede and zoysia what will you do?Yes, I need a dense grass that will cover empty spots fairly fast.Bermuda sounds like it is not as good and too hard to maintain

tommy – posted 21 August 2009 18:14

Zoysia would be my pick, especially if money is not a problem, and I could afford to sod “wall to wall”. Zoysia needs less mowing, so its always going to be popular for that quality. If money is a concern, Tifway bermuda is less money for sod, and a whole lot less money to sprig. (no seed available for this bermuda). Tifway is the grass most commonly used for golf fairways in the southeast, and also popular for home lawns. Its not a high maint. grass, but it does need to be mowed weekly, and de-thatched once a year. This involves thinning out the thick mat of runners and stems that build up over the year. Zoysia needs to be de-thatched every other year.

PINK SUNSET – posted 21 August 2009 20:06

Thanks!Well… I am not rich! however it looks like I may be able to afford some Zoysia Zenith seeds… Do you think it will work? Is it too much maintenance? Do you know why they say that Centipede is so low in maintenance? Is it really? I guess I am too far south for it??Thanks again!

tommy – posted 21 August 2009 20:29

I am not from the southeast, so I didn’t realize that Centipede couldn’t be used far south. I have parents who live in South Carolina,(north end) and my father says the Centipede doesn’t need much water, fertilizer, and tolerates infrequent mowing. Zenith would be fine, but just make sure you kill off all the weeds and grasses before you plant,(use ‘Round up’). After you have sprayed, do not disturb the top layer of soil, because this will bring up more weed seed. After you have sprayed and everything is dead, mow the area short and remove the clippings. Seed and lightly topdress with any seed top dress product at your garden center. Zoysia seed needs to be covered very lightly (1/8 inch) Many Zoysia plantings have failed because the seed was covered too thick. Next step is to fertilize with ‘Scotts starter fertilizer’, and keep the area moist!