Zoysia versus St. Augustine

Rivdog – posted 28 June 2002 23:15

Hi everyone, Need some advice. Should I replant my current backyard of Marathon II (a fescue) with either zoysia or St. Augustine? (I’d probably do it the easy way by planting sprigs/plugs but then would have to wait till it filled in.) I live in southern California. The need to replant is because of my two female dogs who have, after two years, spotted the yard up quite a bit. I’m thinking either one of these two grasses should be tougher than the Marathon II. But which one? One other thing. I have an excellent Black N Decker electric rotary lawn mower. I read in the Sunset book on lawns that St. Augustine grass should be mowed with a reel mower. So, is this true, or can I get by with my rotary?Thanks for any help.Regards, Rivdog.

GLJones – posted 03 July 2002 14:27

St. Augustine can be moved just fine with a rotery mower. Zoysia probably requres a reel mower due to the fine blades.

southern lawns tech – posted 12 July 2002 17:37

either grass you choose will be fine with the mower you have.as far as the dogs,i’m guessing there female,as they squat to pee.this leave a well concentrated spot of urea which damages the grass.this will happen no matter what grass tou end up with.