One of the rainiest metro areas in the state, Fort Lauderdale is a prime location for grasses to flourish aplenty. And while we get more than 60 inches of rain each year, our growing population has put a strain on our resources. But even with year-round water restrictions and a June 1-Sept. 30 fertilizer ban, Fort Lauderdaleans are blessed with the ability to grow a beautiful lawn. Follow the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program to conserve water and still maintain curb appeal.
To get started, here are the five best options for your Fort Laudy lawn:
1. St. Augustinegrass
St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant, dense, dark green and has wide, rounded blades. Hence, it’s the most frequently chosen grass type in our state.
Classification: Warm-season grass
Spreads by: Stolons
Shade tolerance: St. Augustinegrass boasts more shade tolerance than other warm-season varieties.
Drought tolerance: Can flourish in times of drought, but may need supplemental irrigation to maintain its color.
Foot traffic tolerance: Low. Repeated heavy wear and tear is a no-go for this type.
Maintenance needs: Fertilize every eight to 10 weeks, but as noted above, city law requires you to take a break from fertilizing June 1-Sept. 30. As for watering, St. Augustinegrass only needs ¾ to 1 inch of water per week.
Recommended mowing height: Mow weekly to a height of 3.5 to 4 inches (shorter for dwarf varieties).
Grass Plug Options:
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
2. Bahiagrass
Able to thrive in the low-nutrient, highly acidic, sandy soil of our region, bahiagrass has wide leaf blades and ranges in color from light to dark green.
Classification: Warm-season grass
Spreads by: Above-ground stems (stolons) and underground stems (rhizomes.)
Shade tolerance: Bahiagrass has a low tolerance for shade and prefers full sun.
Drought tolerance: Extremely high tolerance for drought and heat
Foot traffic tolerance: Because of its thickness, this lawn type stands up well to moderate foot traffic.
Maintenance needs: Low. Bahiagrass doesn’t need much fertilizer, and watering should be on an as-needed basis up to the top 8 inches of soil.
Recommended mowing height: Since this grass is slow-growing, you can mow every one to two weeks to a height of 3 to 4 inches.
Grass Seed Options
Pensacola Bahiagrass:
– SeedRanch Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed (10 lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed (5 lb. bag)
Argentine Bahiagrass:
– Scotts Turf Builder Argentine Bahiagrass (10 lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Argentine Bahiagrass Seed Mix (25 lb. bag)
3. Bermudagrass
For a medium to dark green lawn with a high salt tolerance, a fine-textured Bermudagrass is a great option.
Classification: Warm-season grass
Spreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
Shade tolerance: A lover of full sun, Bermudagrass does not tolerate shade well.
Drought tolerance: High. This type can survive off of natural rainfall but will go dormant during extended dry periods.
Foot traffic tolerance: Its dense turf allows Bermudagrass to withstand heavy foot traffic.
Maintenance needs: High. Requires monthly fertilization during the summer months. Water as needed to the top 4 to 6 inches of soil.
Recommended mowing height: To keep up with rapid growth and avoid thatch buildup, mow once or twice weekly to a height of 1 to 2 inches.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
4. Centipedegrass
Newly adapted to our soil, centipedegrass grows low to the ground and comes in a lighter green hue than other warm-season types. It is not very tolerant of saltwater.
Classification: Warm-season grass
Spreads by: Stolons
Shade tolerance: Light shade tolerance, but needs at least six hours of full sun.
Drought tolerance: This type is able to withstand drought by going dormant.
Foot traffic tolerance: Not well-suited to heavy wear and tear.
Maintenance needs: Low. Fertilize one to three times per growing season, and water on an as-needed basis — or at the sign of wilting or discoloration.
Recommended mowing height: Due to its slow-growing nature, you can mow every one to two weeks to a height of 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Grass Seed Options:
– Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds (1 lb.)
– Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass (3.75 lbs.)
– TifBlair Centipedegrass (5-lb. bag)
5. Zoysiagrass
There are many varieties of Zoysia, but Zoysia Japonica, also known as Japanese lawn grass, is the best variety for Fort Lauderdale yards. It has a coarse texture and light green leaves that fade to brown when cooler weather hits.
Classification: Warm-season grass
Spreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
Shade tolerance: Average, but needs about four hours of full sun each day.
Drought tolerance: High, but will turn brown under prolonged dry conditions. When watered, Zoysia will green up again.
Foot traffic tolerance: Zoysia’s denseness helps it stand up to heavy foot traffic.
Maintenance needs: Low. Zoysia can survive on one or two fertilizations per year and 1 inch of water per week.
Recommended mowing height: Mow weekly or biweekly to a height of 1 to 2 inches.
Grass Plug and Seed Options:
– Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)
– Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
– Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)
– Zenith Zoysia Grass Seeds (1/8 lb. of seeds)
The foundation of every well-manicured yard is its grass. Pick the right one, and you’ll have a lawn you can be proud of.
Need help preparing your lawn? Visit our Fort Lauderdale lawn care page to get in touch with a professional! In addition to Fort Lauderdale, we provide lawn care services in other Florida cities, including Tampa and Orlando.
Main image credit: LuizCent / Wikimedia / CC by SA 4.0.
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