Do you think about St Augustine grass pros and cons? This type of grass has many benefits, including that it requires little or no maintenance and can withstand a lot of traffic. However, it does have a little bit weaker, as well.
It is a common type of grass in the USA. As a bonus, it’s a great type of grass for homeowners to have in their yards, especially if you are looking to add some lush greenery without having to do much work yourselves.
St. Augustine is considered one of the toughest warm-season grasses due to its ability to tolerate uneven soil, and it will continue to grow in full sun or shady areas.
In this article, we will discuss all the benefits along with the drawbacks. Let’s do it!
St Augustine Grass Pros and Cons
No turf grass is perfect for every circumstance, and St. Augustine grass is also the same. People also know St. Augustine grass as Stenotaphrumsecundatum, and it is a fine-textured grass. It is the same as Bermuda grass, so some people know it as St Augustine Bermuda grass.
But, similar to all other turf grass, St. Augustine grass has its drawbacks. Take a look at all of them.
St Augustine Grass Pros
Let’s look at what tends to make these grasses so convenient.
1. Shade tolerant
This grass is very shade tolerant and doesn’t need much sun to flourish. This grass is still indicated for warmer weather. Being sturdy it can grow in extreme weather conditions.
2. Great for tropical weather
St Augustine grass does well in full sun. It tolerates warmth and moisture, so it is perfect for growing in tropical weather. The heat can’t diminish this grass’s color.
3. Salt tolerant
This grass is tolerant of salt and is frequently grown at the seaside for that reason. This grass has broad blades and is coarse-textured. It produces a dense, carpet-like surface that contests well against unwanted plants and other grasses.
4. Less Maintenance Can WorkLong
St Augustine grass only requires medium levels of upkeep and mowing. It grows sufficiently strong to allow average amounts of foot traffic. This grass can grow in nearly all types of well-draining soil.
St Augustine Grass Cons
Despite the pros, it has a few drawbacks that bring it in the middle of controversy. Let’s look at the cons.
1. Not planted by seeds
Seeds do not generally plant St Augustine grass as it doesn’t yield multiple viable seeds. This grass is chiefly planted in vegetative ways. It also spreads via the lawn by long above-ground runners and stolons.
2. Susceptible to the chinch bug
This grass is very susceptible to the chinch bug, which can rapidly cause its demise. Fortunately, it can be controlled with pesticides, but recurrent applications are needed for upkeep. This grass also has a high vulnerability to diseases and pests.
3. Costly upkeeping
The maintenance of this grass is costly and time-consuming. It requires additional fertilization all over the first 3 months.
This grass is weak against drought and needs additional irrigation. It holds up only to normal yard traffic. To compensate for the shortage of iron this grass requires substituting with artificial iron supplements. A lot of trimming of this grass could make it thin and spindly.
4. Vulnerable to cold weather
St Augustine grass is not strong enough for cold weather. Therefore, it is limited to places with gentle winters. In cooler places, the color of this grass might become brown.
5. Poor wear tolerance
This grass has a comparatively poor wear tolerance and will not flourish in a place with recurrent foot traffic. They will not need the additional nutrient complements If the soil’s pH level is high. Though it tolerates some shadiness, it will not grow dense and nice in deep shade.
In addition to the above points of St Augustine pros and cons, you can decide whether to buy it or not in the future if you don’t use it.
St Augustine Tips And Tricks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Bermuda or St Augustine grass better?
This mostly depends on your personal choice and financial consideration. Both types may look quite similar initially. Each variety is a pretty excellent selection that thrives in mellow, warmer regions. Bermuda is more tolerant of shelter than St. Augustine and has thicker foundations, rendering this less vulnerable to climate change and frost destruction. In general, when it concerns grooming and pruning, St. Augustine grass will necessitate relatively frequent upkeep. Thus, it is entirely up to you which one you prefer to obtain.
How long does St Augustine grass last?
Sports courts and golfing facilities commonly use this hardy perennial. But it is sensitive to several bugs and illnesses. Although it may bloom up to 6 feet high, the vast majority prefer keeping it reduced in size to 2 feet to 3 feet. If abandoned to trim it by any chance, it will grow into a bush, making maintenance and cutting more difficult.
Why is St Augustine grass bad?
It has more drawbacks than pros that make it unsuitable. It spreads like a weed throughout the yard are. Regrettably, this implies that you will waste much time and expense locating and removing any rogue sprouts that appear around your backyard and farm. Despite its beauty, it kills blooms as well as other fragile succulents, making it unsuitable for shrubs and trees. Similarly, St. Augustine grass does not thrive in damp environments and starve to death if allowed to remain so for an extended time.
Is St Augustine grass bad?
Generally, St Augustine grass is not bad. However, compared to its pros, it has more cons. These faults are considered when planting this grass. This grass makes a nice light green to dark green turf. It is common in coastal places to grow St Augustine grass because of its high salt resistance. But it has a poor wear tolerance. It also has poor drought tolerance and won’t continuously hold its color without irrigation.
Conclusion
We believe that it differs by location and climate. As if it may meet your needs in residential yard space. However, if you have other trees and shrubs in your backyard that you don’t like to engage with, you may experience some mental anguish. As a result, before making any decisions, take some time to consider St Augustine grass pros and cons.
There is no doubt that St. Augustine grass is a prevalent and attractive lawn choice for homeowners in the United States, but it does have some drawbacks.
If you are thinking of installing a new lawn, or want to know more about this type of grass before committing to it, be sure to read our complete guide on it.
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Enamored with the world of golf Jack pursued a degree in Golf Course Management at THE Ohio State University. This career path allowed him to work on some of the highest profile golf courses in the country! Due to the pandemic, Jack began Inside The Yard as a side hustle that quickly became his main hustle. Since starting the company, Jack has relocated to a homestead in Central Arkansas where he and his wife raise cattle and two little girls.
