Later, we\u2019ll explain how to choose the best grass type for your Sarasota lawn<\/a>. Let\u2019s dive in:<\/p> In Florida, St. Augustinegrass<\/a> is the most commonly used turfgrass. Highly tolerant of salt, it can also tough out short-term flooding, making it a \u201cnatural seashore plant<\/a>.\u201d To prevent excessive weed, insect, and disease issues in St. Augustinegrass, be careful not to overwater, over fertilize, or cut too low.<\/p> St. Augustinegrass remains popular in Sarasota because of its thick, carpeted turf and shade tolerance. Of all the warm-season grasses, this Florida favorite happens to be the least cold tolerant. It becomes brown and dormant in winter but grows vigorously during the heat of the spring, summer, and early fall. <\/p> Other notes:<\/strong> Watch out when applying herbicides because this grass is sensitive to some; be sure to carefully read labels.<\/p> Grass Plug Options: Zoysiagrass feels soft underfoot, so it is good for high-traffic yards<\/a>. It lives in sands or clays and tolerates salt, and it\u2019s widely grown along Florida\u2019s sandy seashores. Named after Karl von Zois, a Slovenian botanist, Zoysiagrass does not tolerate poorly drained soils and is moderately drought tolerant<\/a>, though it will turn brown quickly to survive.<\/p> Zoysiagrass turns the color of straw after the first hard frost but is among the first warm-season grasses to green up in April. Native to Southeast Asia, it requires frequent mowing to produce the finest lawn, but you can mow less frequently during the summer if you\u2019re willing to compromise some on quality.<\/p> Other notes:<\/strong> Zoysiagrass generally requires no mowing between October and April.<\/p> Grass Plug and Seed Options: If you have a mostly sunny yard, bahiagrass is the grass for you; it prefers full sun but tolerates limited shade. Native to South America and introduced into the United States in 1913, it grows well in sandy soil and harsh conditions; in fact, its deep root system allows it to survive droughts. It\u2019s also good for yards with erosion problems.<\/p> Bahiagrass<\/a> does not produce a dense, carpet-like lawn. If you want to encourage growth, though, you can stop mowing for a while or overseed<\/a> to help thicken the turf (see our article: “When to Overseed Bahiagrass in Florida<\/a>\u201d). Although this grass type won\u2019t be as dense as Zoysiagrass, it requires less maintenance than Bermudagrass or St. Augustinegrass.<\/p> Other notes:<\/strong> Bahiagrass can be established via seed or sod.<\/p> Grass Seed Options <\/strong><\/p> Pensacola Bahiagrass: A great choice if you have young children or pets, Bermudagrass<\/a> is often used on golf courses and sports fields. Common throughout the South, this grass resists damage because it grows so fast and has deep roots. In addition, it has excellent tolerance to heat, drought<\/a>, and humidity.<\/p> However<\/a>, \u201cThe aggressive properties that make it a desirable turfgrass also make it a major weed.\u201d Bermudagrass can spread into flower beds and onto walkways, but you can take steps to control its growth<\/a>. Lack of water causes this grass to go dormant and turn brown, but it can survive drought better than other warm-season grasses. <\/p> Other notes:<\/strong> Bermudagrass\u2019 salt tolerance is high, making it a smart choice for coastal areas. It also produces a lot of pollen if it goes to seed, so allergy sufferers beware<\/a>.<\/p> Grass Seed Options: Often referred to as “lazy man’s grass” due to its low maintenance requirements, centipedegrass<\/a> doesn\u2019t need you to mow it as much as Bermudagrass or St. Augustinegrass do. However, thatch can be problematic, so try dethatching<\/a> when it reaches more than 1\/2-inch thick.<\/p> First introduced<\/a> into the United States from South China in 1916, this grass can be prone to a disease called centipede decline, in which a previously well lawn doesn\u2019t green up. Causes include too-short mowing, overfertilization, alkaline soil, and an unhealthy root system.<\/p> Other notes:<\/strong> Not a grass for high traffic lawns. Has an \u201capple green\u201d color and poor salt tolerance.<\/p> Grass Seed Options: Does your yard have a lot of large trees? Then you\u2019ll want to plant a grass with a higher shade tolerance. If you don\u2019t have large trees, look to a grass with a low shade tolerance but keep in mind that your smaller trees will grow.<\/p> If your kids and pets like to play outside, you\u2019ll need a grass that stands up to hard wear and tear. Some grasses resist such use, and some are more sensitive and take more time to recover.<\/p> Being so close to the ocean, Sarasotans must have a grass with a good salt tolerance. You\u2019re good to go with three of these warm-weather grasses.<\/p> Do you like to get your exercise by spending time watering, fertilizing, mowing, and otherwise maintaining your grass? Then a high- or moderate-maintenance yard is for you. Or do you want to sit by the pool with your tall, iced beverage? Then pick a low-maintenance grass.<\/p> Sarasotans need a grass with a high or moderate drought tolerance because this area\u2019s almost always really dry or in a drought. <\/p> Picking a grass type can be challenging, but if you still can\u2019t decide, or you just want a professional to take care of your lawn so that you can enjoy all that Florida has to offer, call a local LawnStarter lawn care pro in Sarasota<\/a>.<\/p> Additional sources:<\/p> Additional sources:<\/p> \t\t\tSt. Augustinegrass<\/h2>
![\"St.](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_800px-stenotaphrum_secundatum_variegatum-1-the_regent_hill-yercaud-salem-india.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Yercaud-elango<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>
<\/strong>\u2013 Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs<\/a> (2 Trays)
\u2013 Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs<\/a> (2 Trays) <\/p> Zoysiagrass<\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_1280px-starr-070906-8519-zoysia_sp-turf-kula_ace_hardware_and_nursery-maui_24264641643.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0 US<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>
<\/strong>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Large Grass Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(100 Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Emerald Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)
\u2013 Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/p> Bahiagrass<\/h2>
![\"Bahiagrass\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_24854989872_453b8a1dc0_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Pensacola Bahiagrass<\/a> (5 lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed<\/a> (5 lb. bag)
\u2013 SeedRanch Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed<\/a> (10 lb. bag)
Argentine Bahiagrass:
\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Argentine Bahiagrass<\/a> (10 lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Argentine Bahiagrass Seed Mix<\/a> (25 lb. bag)<\/p> Bermudagrass<\/h2>
![\"Bermuda](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_4080038677_f1faf335b3_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Levin<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u2013 <\/strong>Pennington Bermudagrass Bare Spot<\/a> (5 lb. bag)
\u2013 Pennington Smart Seed Bermudagrass Mix<\/a> (8.75-lb. bag)
\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass<\/a> (10-lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/p> Centipedegrass<\/h2>
![\"Centipedegrass\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_centipedegrass-800-800-1-1.jpg\")
Photo credit: Michael Rivera<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>
<\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds<\/a> (1 lb.)
\u2013 Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass<\/a> (3.75 lbs.)
\u2013 TifBlair Centipedegrass<\/a> (5-lb. bag)
\u2013 Pennington Centipedegrass and Mulch<\/a> (5-lb. bag)<\/p> How to Choose the Best Grass Type for Your Sarasota Lawn<\/strong><\/h2>
Shade Tolerance<\/h3>
Heavy Foot Traffic<\/h3>
Salt Tolerance <\/h3>
High vs. Low Maintenance<\/h3>
Drought Tolerance<\/h3>
When to Call in a Lawn Care Pro<\/strong><\/h2>