** There is an infographic at the bottom of this post that summarizes this info. Take it for your own. 

It’s hard to grow turf grass in the South, especially in Florida where I live. But there are some varieties that can do well here. They are:

• St. Augustine
• Centipede
• Bermuda
• Zoysia

You gotta know their strengths and weaknesses, though. Here are the ups and downs of the four most common turf grasses of the South.

1. St. Augustine

Named for St. Augustine, Florida, this turf is a very tall grass that looks like soft shag carpet when healthy. Disney World uses it a lot, if that tells you anything.

General:

• Super tall: 4”-6”
• Wide Blade
• Lighter green (some varieties darker than others)
• Link to an image of St. Augustine grass that I don’t own

Pros:

• Lush, carpet look (Disney World uses St. Augustine in all its medians and open areas)
• Resists mole crickets
• Can take the heat
• Grows quickly
• Some shade tolerance
• Good drought tolerance, but ONLY IF YOU LET IT GROW TALL
• Hides weeds well (because of its color and height)
• Pretty low maintenance for a turf grass

Cons:

• A VERY Southern grass – won’t grow much north of zone 8.
• Susceptible to chinch bugs
• Will struggle (and possibly die) if cut below 4”
• Susceptible to fungus

2. Centipede

My favorite all-round Southern grass, I must say. In my opinion, the most versatile and least fussy for homeowners who want turf but aren’t obsessed.

General:

• Medium height: 2”-3”
• Thin blade
• Medium dark green
• Link to an image of Centipede grass that I don’t own

Pros:

• Resists chinch bugs
• Resists fungus
• Thick carpet
• Can be cut pretty tight (which most turf lovers love)
• Grows fast
• Medium drought tolerance
• Pretty low maintenance for a turf grass
• Hides weeds pretty well
• Good cold tolerance – grows into USDA Zone 7

Cons:

• Susceptible to mole crickets
• Little shade tolerance
• Not much else. A solid choice for most Southern homeowners

3. Bermuda

If you want a lawn that looks like a fairway, Bermuda is for you. It is tough as nails, but if you really want that tight golf course look, be prepared to spend time and money.

General:

• Darkish green to light gray-green
• Super thin blade
• Can be cut very short – to 1” (think a fairway)
• Link to an image of Bermuda grass that I don’t own

Pros:

• Pretty indestructible once it takes hold
• Grows a tight carpet
• Grows very fast
• Unbelievable drought tolerance
• Unmatched heat tolerance
• Good cold tolerance for a Southern lawn
• Pest and disease resistant

Cons:

• Invasive to places you may not want grass (watch your beds)
• High maintenance if you want it to look like a golf course (lots of water, fertilizer, and frequent mowings)
• To get that golf course look, you may need to buy a specialized mower
• Weeds and other blemishes are obvious because of Bermuda’s unique color and low, tight pattern.

4. Zoysia

Zoysia is a fair-haired child right now in turf grass. It can be incredibly versatile and tough. When healthy, it is so tight that it crowds out most weeds on its own. It is a slow grower though.

General:

• Dark green color
• Thin blade
• Dark green
• Tough stuff as long as it’s healthy
• Link to an image of Zoysia grass that I don’t own

Pros:

• Super thick – like walking on a carpet
• Very drought tolerant
• Can take extreme heat
• Can take extreme (Southern) cold

Cons:

• Slow growing and slow to establish (if you get a bad spot, might as well buy sod to fill it)
• Susceptible to mole crickets
• Doesn’t hide weeds well

Here’s the infographic. You should be able to download it. If not, let me know and I’ll get it to you. Enjoy!

Kevin