Lawn Care Advice - A Guide to Warm Season Grasses

Warm season grasses are found in areas with a warm climate and grow primarily in the south of the United States. These grasses are tough, durable and drought resistant and grow best in tropical temperatures greater than 80 degrees. In winter, warm season grasses will become brown and enter a dormant state if the temperature drops sufficiently. This can be managed by reseeding your lawn during the winter months with a cool season grass which will ensure a green lawn throughout the year. The disadvantages of warm season grasses are that they are prone to developing weeds and thatch. Warm season grasses can spread very quickly, therefore they require frequent mowing and edging.

Bahia grass

Bahia grass is a warm season grass with a coarse appearance. It is slow to sprout but grows quickly once it has taken hold. This grass in normally very cheap and is the best warm season grass for shady conditions. Its coarse texture means that a sharp mower is needed. This grass should be sown at a rate of 5 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet of land.

Bermuda grass

Bermuda grass is a warm season grass with a fine to coarse appearance and strong growth rate. It becomes brown and dormant in frosty conditions and therefore can become overgrown with weeds. It should be grown alongside fine fescues or perennial ryegrass to ensure a covering of green in winter and stop weeds invading. It can be difficult to stop this grass invading borders and flower beds. This grass should be sown at a rate of 1-3 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet. This grass comes in the form of plugs, sprigs or sods.

Blue Gramma Grass

Blue Gramma grass is a warm season grass which is low growing, bunching and has a medium to fine appearance. This grass can withstand drought and grows easily in alkaline earth. It becomes brown in times of extreme drought. This grass should be sown at a rate of 1-1 ½ pounds per 1000 square feet.

Buffalo grass

Buffalo grass is a warm season native grass with a fine appearance. It multiplies slowly by stolons. It grows well in heavy clay soil and dry conditions. It becomes dormant and turns brown in summer and once more in fall. It is an effective low maintenance alternate to Bermuda grass. This grass should be sown at a rate of 5-8 pounds per 1000 square feet.

Carpet grass

Carpet grass is a warm season grass with a coarse appearance that spreads quickly and profusely by stolons. It grows easily in poor and sandy soil, but it does not like cold conditions or lack of water. It can stand up to a lot of heavy use. It can be purchased in infection and disease resistant strains. This grass should be sown at a rate of Sow 3-4 pounds per 100 square feet.

Centipede grass

Centipede grass is a warm season grass with a coarse to medium appearance. It forms a thick sod, but does not grow as quickly as the other warm season grasses. It is resistant to insects and diseases and needs less mowing and fertilizing that other warm season grass types. This grass should be sown at a rate of ¼ - 1 pound per 1000 square feet. Some enhanced types of Centipede grass are only offered as sod, plugs or sprigs.

St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is a warm season coarse textured grass. It spreads to form a thick sod, but is prone to thatch problems. It needs fertile soil and a lot of water. New insect resistant kinds are available. It is shade resistant. This grass is grown from springs or sod, not from seed.

Zoysia grass

Zoysia grass is a warm season grass with a coarse to fine appearance. It multiplies by rhizomes and stolons. It becomes brown in winter and turns green very slowly during spring. It tolerates heavy wear and weeds without difficulty. It is slow growing and moderately drought resistant but needs watering where dry areas start to appear. It is grown from sod or springs only.

The Home and Garden Price Check Team

www.homeandgardenpricecheck.co.uk

The Home and Garden Price Check Team

www.homeandgardenpricecheck.co.uk

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