The grass you choose decides how much water, mowing and attention a property needs for years. In South Florida, three types cover most projects: St. Augustine, Bahia and Zoysia. Each has a place.
St. Augustine
The most common lawn grass in South Florida. It has wide blades, a thick carpet-like look and handles partial shade better than most warm-season grasses. It needs regular water and fertilizer to look its best and doesn’t hold up well to heavy foot traffic. It’s the usual pick for residential lawns and commercial frontage where looks matter.
Bahia
Tough, drought-tolerant and lower maintenance. Bahia handles full sun, sandy soil and limited irrigation well, which makes it common on roadsides, retention-pond banks, large open lots and agricultural land. It’s not as dense or polished-looking as St. Augustine, and it doesn’t like shade.
Zoysia
A dense, fine-bladed grass that holds up to foot traffic well and needs less water than St. Augustine once established. It grows slowly, so it takes longer to fill in and repair, and it usually costs more up front.
Quick comparison
- Shade: St. Augustine is best; Bahia is worst.
- Water needs: Bahia is lowest; St. Augustine is highest.
- Foot traffic: Zoysia handles it best.
- Large open areas and slopes: Bahia is usually the practical choice.
The part people skip: prep
Sod is only as good as what’s under it. Before it goes down, the area should be cleared of debris, brought to final grade so water drains away, and lightly loosened so roots can take hold. Sod laid on compacted fill or low spots tends to yellow, thin out or drown in the rainy season.
New sod also needs steady watering for the first couple of weeks while roots establish.
Planning sod installation on a new site or a large property? Call (954) 955-6512 for pricing.
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