Bermuda Grass And St. Augustine: Which One Is Better?

There are various types of grass on the seed showcase; therefore, selecting the most appropriate kind to build up your yard is significantly essential. It is worth researching different sorts to keep your garden healthy and vivid. 

Therefore, this article will provide you with a blow-by-blow comparison between Bermuda Grass And St. Augustine to narrow your choice. With this detailed information, you can select the best type depending on your climate or the size of your lawn.

Overview Of Bermuda Grass And St. Augustine

What is Bermuda grass?

Bermuda grass is turf grass that is dynamic from late spring until fall. It proliferates in tropical places, warm seasons; appears in light green, and becomes brown in the cold temperature. Also, this type of grass creates big blotches of narrow blue-green leaves during the summertime.

Moreover, its root is shallow at around 5 to 6 inches. It can tolerate light shade, drought, and direct sun while growing by stolons, suitable for golf courses, parks, athletic fields, and lawns.  

What is St. Augustine grass?

St. Augustine grass is called buffalo turf and buffalo grass. It is also a warm-season type, which is the same as Bermuda grass. Thus, it is appropriate to cultivate in subtropical and tropical zones.

It has a medium-dark green color with a wide, flat blade. It is a rough-textured grass that grows by aboveground stolons or runners. It also does not create any rhizomes.  

St. Augustine grass can withstand different shades, from minor to heavy ones, so that you can design it in your house or business yard. However, this grass is not drought-resistant and wear-resistant, which requires you to take care of it more deliberately. 

Regarding weed tolerance, both Bermuda grass and St. Augustine possess incredible weed tolerance. They can spread quickly and firmly, building up a complete and expansive lawn. As a result, they can swarm out and destroy weeds by themselves, helping you less use lawn weed killers.  

If you don’t want some bothersome weeds like crabgrass affecting your lawn, it is advisable to establish either St. Augustine or Bermuda. 

Bermuda Grass And St. Augustine: 6 Main Differences

Let’s check out some primary differences between Bermuda Grass and St. Augustine. 

Shade and sun condition

St. Augustine can tolerate from small to heavy shade, while the opposite is true for Bermuda grass. The Bermuda type can’t spread well even in slightly shady areas. Nevertheless, it will grow quickly and vigorously in complete sun condition.

Water level

With the significantly drought-resistant features, Bermuda grass won’t need much water and almost no water in winter when it is inactive. On the other hand, St. Augustine grass requires more than half the water compared to the Bermuda type. 

With this incredible amount, its roots can develop better. However, it is easily unresistant to diseases or pests in winter.

Soil requirements and fertilization

Bermuda grass needs higher fertilization and more acidic conditions than St. Augustine. Apart from some essential substances such as phosphorus, potassium, or iron, the former requires more nitrogen.

However, St. Augustine doesn’t need much nitrogen or phosphorus because these nutrients may create thatch trouble if overused. It requires identical amounts of potassium as usual grasses. 

Always provide a sufficient amount of iron to help it thrive in a shady area. St. Augustine grass is also flexible to neutral alkaline soils, sandy soils, and salty conditions, perfect for coastal zones. 

Spread patterns

It is easy to build up your lawn from a Bermula seed while exceptionally caring to establish St. Augustine lawn because you need to plan its sod. Bermula sources are affordable, and St. Augustine sod can bring you immediate delight. 

Following an attentive routine and rich fertilization to take care of your St. Augustine lawn is vital, while Bermuda grass doesn’t need much maintenance. However, the more you mow and water Bermuda grass, the more it will be thicker. 

When you finish primary establishment, the Bermuda type will spread vigorously. Therefore, it is advisable to trim frequently along sidewalks and yards to avoid overwhelming growth, which may decrease the beauty of your garden.

Wear tolerance

Regarding traffic tolerance or any stressor environment, the winner belongs to Bermuda grass. St. Augustine has a lower tolerance level to some external factors. 

Price

Due to the frequent maintenance, and quite expensive sod, St. Augustine costs higher than Bermuda grass. Meanwhile, the seed is relatively affordable and available, which you can buy Bermuda seeds from any seed supplier.

Which Is Better?

Despite several differences, Bermuda Grass and St. Augustine also possess outstanding characteristics. Before selecting the best kind for your lawn, you can consider some crucial aspects. They are soil condition, shade level, sun exposure, traffic tolerance, and water requirements. 

With those basic standards, Bermuda grass will be better thanks to its watering feature and sun requirement. You will save time, energy, and money when establishing this grass. You can water it about three times a week in the summer.

In winter, it can survive without much water due to dormancy. Besides, it is simple to plant Bermuda grass from seeds. It can grow very quickly and firmly though you don’t have much time to take care of it. 

In addition, it is more resistant to pests, fungus diseases, weeds, and insects. If you want to play with your pets on the lawn, this grass is an ideal choice. It provides you with the most incredible traffic tolerance, making it a perfect playground for your kids.

FAQs

What is the ideal soil quality for Bermuda grass?

With a drought-resistant feature and sufficient fertilizer, well-drained soil is the best condition to build Bermuda grass. Moreover, it is flexible to wet soils. 

When to plant Bermuda grass and St. Augustine?

Both types of grasses are warm-seasoned plants, so it is best to grow them in early summer. This time will supply full sun, high-tempered ground, and humid weather.

How to lay off St. Augustine properly?

It is vital to clear the planting zone carefully to reduce the high risks of fungus disease. Next, following the seed supplier’s guidelines thoroughly to receive the best outcome.

Then, begin with one side of your garden and set up a straight line of the sod. Water your grass a little immediately and every day for about 3 weeks. Mow the grass if you notice that it spreads more than 3 inches. Apply nitrogen fertilizer each month and enough water. 

Learn how to care for your St. Augustine.

Conclusion

Both Bermuda Grass And St. Augustine are warm-seasoned plants and spread quickly in rich nutrient conditions. Though having some differences, each type can offer you specific use. 

Bermuda grass is the winner, helping your lawns or golf courses stand out from the crowd thanks to its drought-resistant. Additionally, St. Augustine is suitable for growing inside the house due to its shade-resistant. 

To make a good decision, it pays to consider the sun, shade condition, traffic tolerance, soil requirements of the grass you tend to plant. Should you find our post helpful, please do not hesitate to share it with your friends.