Bermuda and St. Augustine Grass: Which is Better?

Using the correct type of grass is essential in achieving a lush, green, and long-lasting lawn that can withstand your unique growing conditions. In Florida, for example, the combination of intense heat and sporadic rainfall means you need a variety that can endure high temperatures and drought. These considerations often narrow down the options to two most widely-used warm-season grasses: bermudagrass and St. Augustine grass.

These grass types are well-suited to the temperate Florida climate, but they offer distinct characteristics in terms of growth habits, appearance, maintenance requirements, and overall suitability. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each grass type will help you determine which is the better option for your lawn and ensure a beautiful lawn year-round.

Bermuda vs. St. Augustine: Finding the Right Grass for Your Lawn

St. Augustine grass and bermudagrass make equally excellent choices for a warm-season lawn but thrive under different conditions. Nevertheless, both grass types are widely available as grass plugs—ideal for small lawn repairs, such as filling in damaged or sparse areas.

Bermudagrass Overview

Bermudagrass is a favorite among homeowners for its resilience and adaptability. Characterized by its aggressive growth habit, it spreads through stolons and rhizomes, forming a dense, low-growing green cover. This vigorous growth pattern makes bermudagrass a go-to for high-traffic areas such as playgrounds, sports fields, and golf courses. It thrives in full sun but may struggle in shaded areas with limited sunlight.

Additionally, bermudagrass grows best in well-draining, slightly acidic soil but is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy soils common in coastal regions. Due to its strong root system and quick recovery rate, it is highly tolerable to heavy foot traffic. However, this rapid growth is also why maintaining a healthy Bermuda lawn demands consistent attention. Bermudagrass requires regular mowing and frequent watering throughout the growing season to keep its emerald-green color and dense structure.

St. Augustine Grass Overview

On the other hand, St. Augustine grass is prized for its lush appearance and better tolerance to shade than bermudagrass. This characteristic makes it an excellent option for residential lawns with sunny and partially shaded areas. St. Augustine spreads through stolons, creating a thick, soft-textured lawn with a more upright growth habit. This growth pattern gives this grass a denser, carpet-like appearance that is as visually appealing as it is comfortable to walk on.

This warm-season grass adapts well to various soil types but prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils. It also displays salt tolerance, making it suitable for coastal regions. However, it is less tolerant of heavy foot traffic than bermudagrass. While St. Augustine requires less frequent mowing than Bermuda, it needs consistent watering to maintain its health and appearance.

Which Grass Should You Use Where?

The choice between bermudagrass vs. St. Augustine often comes down to the specific conditions of your lawn.

Shaded Lawns: St. Augustine grass is the clear winner for shaded lawns, as it has a higher shade tolerance than bermudagrass. It can grow well in areas with limited sunlight, making it ideal for lawns with trees, shrubs, or buildings that cast shade.

High-Traffic Areas: Bermudagrass’s aggressive growth habit and excellent recuperative ability make it ideal for high-traffic areas such as playgrounds, sports fields, or heavily used walkways. Its tough, dense structure allows it to withstand constant use and recover quickly from damage.

Dry Conditions: Bermudagrass is more drought-tolerant due to its deep root system, which allows it to access moisture deeper in the soil. This makes it suitable for areas that experience prolonged dry spells or have less consistent irrigation.

Coastal Regions: St. Augustine grass, with its thicker blades and higher tolerance to salt, is a good option for coastal lawns exposed to salty air and sandy soils. It adapts well to coastal environments and can thrive where other grasses might struggle.

Less Maintenance: While both grass types require regular care, bermudagrass needs more frequent mowing and watering during the peak growing season to maintain its dense, uniform appearance. On the other hand, St. Augustine has a slower growth rate, which translates to less frequent maintenance.

Can You Use Bermudagrass and St. Augustine Together?

While the idea of mixing bermudagrass and St. Augustine may seem like an excellent way to combine their strengths, it’s generally not recommended. Each grass type has a different growth rate, texture, and habit, leading to compatibility issues. With its aggressive growth, bermudagrass can easily overtake St. Augustine, creating a patchy, uneven lawn. Conversely, St. Augustine can also choke out bermudagrass if left unchecked due to its dense matting. This makes it challenging to maintain a balanced mix without constant management.

Mixing these two grass types can also complicate maintenance. Bermudagrass requires a lower mowing height than St. Augustine, and their different watering and fertilization needs can make it challenging to keep both grasses healthy. Additionally, the difference in texture between the fine-bladed bermudagrass and the coarser St. Augustine can result in an inconsistent lawn appearance, detracting from the overall beauty of your landscape. For these reasons, it’s best to choose one type of grass and focus on maintaining it properly to ensure uniformity and long-term health.

How NutriPod Can Help Establish a More Resilient Lawn

Instead of attempting to mix different grass varieties, the key to achieving a healthy lawn lies in proper care and providing the right nutrients to help your grass withstand challenging conditions and remain lush and green.

For minor lawn repairs, NutriPod is specially formulated for new grass plugs, which are ideal for filling in sparse areas or repairing dead patches of grass. NutriPod grass fertilizer delivers essential nutrients, promoting faster establishment and strong root development in grass plugs. This targeted approach ensures that repaired areas of your lawn grow more resilient and better able to withstand heat, drought, and foot traffic, helping your lawn recover quickly and maintain its lush, uniform appearance.

The NutriPod fertilizer pods have a balanced 17-1-10 NPK ratio and slow-release formula, providing the right nutrition at the right amounts to encourage deep root growth without overwhelming the grass. By encouraging stronger roots, supports a more sustainable, healthier lawn, whether you choose Bermuda or St. Augustine grass.

Final Thoughts

Your choice between bermudagrass and St. Augustine ultimately depends on your lawn's growing conditions. Consider factors like sun exposure, foot traffic, and maintenance needs. For shaded lawns and coastal areas, St. Augustine is the superior choice. Meanwhile, bermudagrass stands out for high-traffic areas and drought tolerance.

With the right grass variety and proper care, you can maintain a lush, healthy lawn all year long. By using NutriPod grass fertilizer, you’ll strengthen your lawn from the roots up, ensuring new grass plugs establish quickly and thrive—making your lawn more resilient and prepared to withstand any challenge.