What Type of Grass should I Install?

cindygustafson – posted 11 November 2004 09:07

We live on the west coast of Florida & our new home is on a canal a few blocks in from the Gulf. We absolutely despise Floratam and want to go with a finer blade. I’ve been researching Bermudas, Zoysias, and Seashore Papsalum, and can’t decide which we’d be best off with. Can anyone offer suggestions?

TarheelTurfGuy – posted 12 November 2004 08:50

If you are willing to make an investment in a reel mower and cut it at least once a week I’d go with a Bermuda hyberid. Well maintained it provides a very attractive turf, is good at keeping out weeds, not generally susceptible to disease, fungus, etc. thrives in warm/hot climates and is reasonable draught resistant. But it will need at least 6 hours of full sun a day. Not at all good under trees, shady side of the house, etc.

MHO

turfie – posted 13 November 2004 19:35

Cindy,

I highly recommend seashore paspalum. SeaIsle I and Salam are 2 good ones. You can find out everything you need to know about this type of grass at:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_EP059

I work at a resort in Palm Beach and we have one lawn of seashore paspalum amidst a grounds of primarily tifway 419 bermudagrass. The paspalum requires much less input and maintenance than the bermuda to maintain an acceptable resort quality. In my opinion, the texture is much nicer. The only problems I have had so far is sod webworms, which also attack bermuda. Also, during the hurricanes the bermuda areas near the sea wall turned brown, but the salt spray did not affect the paspalum at all. It looked great.

That’s my 2 cents…

Stephanie

rich – posted 13 November 2004 21:59

There was a major problem here in neigborhood with one person introducing a grass that was taking over their st. augustine lawns. I think it was bermuda.If your neighbors have floratam or st aug, they will NOT appreciate bermuda taking over their lawn. Make sure the lawn u pick isnt going to start trouble for those who have floratam. rich

Bill M – posted 14 November 2004 22:39

Gee whiz Rich, the neighbors with floratam should have installed some turf that isn’t susceptible to invasion by bermuda! It’s the bermuda installer’s fault or concern what happens to the neighbor’s ugly 4″ tall broad bladed lawn.

I read seaside paspalum can be watered with salt water. Something to consider if you have access to free salt water that you can pump out.

Bermuda is my favorite grass type for Florida however it has some issues in the lower half of the state. Almost all of the bermuda installations I’ve seen except for a baseball field near my have some discoloration. Even where it’s installed at resorts and stuff, it must need a lot of care. Mine is the same way but it doesn’t bother me because it’s still a lot better than the alternative.