If you are establishing a lawn for the first time or you are replanting one, you’ll have the opportunity to choose your grass type. Homeowners in North Texas commonly choose between St. Augustine vs Zoysia grass, as both grow well in this region. But as with any choice, there are some pros and cons to weigh. These two grass types are both quite popular but for different reasons. We’ll explain some of the benefits of each as well as what our preference is when choosing between the two. At the end of the day, we want you to feel confident that you’ve made a good decision that is best for your property and expectations. Zoysia and St. Augustine grass have two different looks. Whereas Zoysia grass tends to be fine and thin, St. Augustine has a much thicker blade. Zoysia is also said to have a softer, more carpet-like feel to it when walked on. While well-maintained St. Augustine grass can definitely have the look of a luxurious carpet, it does have a rougher texture that is not as comfortable to walk on. St. Augustine is not native to this region. Because of that, it can sometimes require more water than other turf types. It’s also more prone to thatch. In choosing between Zoysia grass vs St. Augustine, our top pick is Zoysia, which we’ll explain in more detail in the next section. While we can certainly maintain St. Augustine lawns, and we know some homeowners do prefer this grass type, there are a few reasons why Zoysia might be your better choice. At Grassperson, we prefer to recommend Zoysia sod for clients that are considering replacing any existing turf type. Our primary reasoning is that Zoysia performs well in full sun, can handle some shade, and is somewhat drought-tolerant. Zoysia has also survived several recent harsh winters as we saw temperatures in the single digits for extended periods of time. In comparing St. Augustine vs Zoysia grass, we generally tell homeowners that there are a few big “cons” against St. Augustine. It does not grow as well as Zoysia in shaded areas. It has that rougher texture that people have said is uncomfortable to walk barefoot on. And, it is highly susceptible to a variety of diseases. St. Augustine grass is also not very tolerant of low temperatures, which we’ve been having more frequently over the winter. We have experienced more issues with St. Augustine grass in the last 5 years than other grass types. In fact, we have seen homeowners lose their entire yards to a combination of lower winter temperatures and fungal diseases. While we aim to educate our clients and explain why we prefer Zoysia, if a client truly prefers this grass type, we will install and maintain a St. Augustine lawn for them. At the end of the day, it’s your lawn and we want what is best for you. If you’ve settled on a Zoysia lawn, your decision-making process is not quite over. In addition to choosing between St. Augustine vs Zoysia grass, you’ll also have to choose the type of Zoysia that you prefer. Yes, there are choices within choices! Grass is more complex than people sometimes realize. When choosing a Zoysia lawn, there are four varieties that we like to recommend, for different reasons. It’s always important to consider your personal expectations and situation. The four types of Zoysia that we typically recommend include: Let’s look at the differences between each of these varieties. This grass type has a fine texture, is dark green when watered and fertilized properly, and stands up to our hot North Texas summers. Some people call the Emerald variety the “Cadillac of Grasses.” This is our top recommendation. This is a dense, medium-blade variety that is more tolerant of foot traffic and sports use. If you have a family and use your lawn heavily, this might be your better choice. It still has a soft texture but is not as dark in color as Emerald (or Zeon, which we’ll get to). Palisades is known to recover quickly from heavy use so families with small kids enjoy having this grass in their backyards. This is another shade and drought-tolerant grass which does well in North Texas. This grass grows in a dense pattern, has long and narrow blades, and tolerates our extended summer conditions. It is typically a darker green color when properly watered and fertilized. Cavalier resists many of the turf diseases that can impact other Zoysia varieties and is easy to maintain. Zeon is known for its particularly soft and plush texture and it does well in the Texas heat. It grows quickly and is decent at filling in patchy or bare areas quicker than Emerald or Palisades. Zeon does tend to create a lot of thatch, which can result in additional maintenance. But we have many satisfied Zeon Zoysia clients. After choosing between St. Augustine vs Zoysia grass (or another grass type), it will be important to properly care for your new lawn. Different grass types have different care requirements, so you need to know exactly what your lawn needs. This can be a lot to handle on your own but fortunately, when you partner with professional lawn care services near Flower Mound, TX, you have an expert on your side. Bringing in the right lawn care services in Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX can help you make the best decisions for your lawn. They will not only help advise on what grass type might be best for your wants and needs, but they’ll also be able to properly care for your lawn so that it continues to look and perform its best. Getting the most out of any grass type boils down to the proper care. With a beautiful and thriving lawn, a knowledgeable professional can help you accomplish your lawn care goals and help you enjoy your property to the fullest. Ready for a gorgeous lawn at your Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX home? Get a free quote and then enjoy the best lawn on the block without the worries! Image Source: Zoysia Grass, St. Augustine GrassZoysia or St. Augustine Grass in North Texas?
Choosing Between St. Augustine or Zoysia for North Texas Lawns: Why We Choose Zoysia
Choosing a Zoysia Lawn
Emerald Zoysia
Palisades Zoysia
Cavalier Zoysia
Zeon Zoysia
Caring for Your New Lawn
FAQs
St. Augustine vs Zoysia Grass: Which is Best for Your North Texas Lawn? ›
Final Verdict – Zoysia vs St Augustine
What grass grows best in North Texas? ›- Bermuda Grass. Bermuda grass kicks off our list for one distinct quality: it is brilliant at thriving in drought conditions and low-water environments. ...
- Fescue Grass. ...
- Zoysia Grass. ...
- St. ...
- Centipede Grass.
Both of these grass types thrive here in North Texas so this is another common question that people face. In fact, we wrote an entire article on Zoysia vs. Bermuda as we know it's a hot topic. At Grassperson, we care for both lawn types and have seen both perform well.
Will St. Augustine overtake Zoysia? ›They will be overtaken by almost any other grass variety that you plant nearby, whether it's Palisades Zoysia, or a St. Augustine, or Bermuda. Those other varieties will run right over the top of the fine-bladed Zoysia grasses because they grow so slowly.
Is Zoysia more drought tolerant than St. Augustine? ›Once fully established, Zoysia lawns will produce underground rootstalks known as rhizomes, in addition to above ground stolons. This is the key attribute that allows Zoysia to be more tolerant of traffic, drought and freeze than St. Augustine.
What is the lowest maintenance grass in Texas? ›For Texans seeking a beautiful lawn without the high maintenance, Buffalo grass, and Centipede grass offer excellent low-care options. These grass types are naturally adapted to the Texas climate, requiring less watering, mowing, and fertilization than other varieties.
Is St. Augustine grass good in North Texas? ›Augustine grass is a very popular turf variety, it may not be the best choice here in North Texas. Keep reading to find out why! For years St. Augustine grass has been a highly suggested turf variety by professionals in our industry.
What grass is better than St. Augustine? ›Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass that grows best in temperate climates and zones 7 through 10. Bermuda grasses thrive in hot weather and can tolerate drought, making them an ideal choice for areas with little rainfall. However, Bermuda can tolerate a cold snap better than St. Augustine.
Will Zoysia choke out weeds? ›Fortunately, zoysia grass is one of the more weed resistant types of grasses because it forms a really dense canopy that chokes out weeds. Even the finer-bladed zoysia grasses are somewhat prone to thatch, which creates a thick canopy that sunlight can't always break through to help weeds photosynthesize.
Will St Augustine choke out other grass? ›Augustine will almost always crowd out the Bermuda. Conversely, if you want to accelerate the Bermuda, mow shorter and more often — then the Bermuda will win. The reason is Bermuda can't grow in shade — taller St. Augustine will shade the slower growing Bermuda.
Is Zoysia or St. Augustine better for dogs? ›
Zoysia – This hardy grass does well with moderate amounts of shade and high traffic, but may not tolerate dog urine well. St. Augustine – A good choice for shaded yards, but not for yards with high traffic from dogs.
What is the best alternative to Zoysia grass? ›Red Fescue, like most other fescues is disease and pest free. Once in, other than making sure it gets established properly, it requires only minimal water – no chemical fertilizers or pesticides – to thrive. play spaces. Red fescue doesn't enjoy heavy play or traffic.
Is bermuda or Zoysia better? ›Zoysia grass is an excellent choice if you live in an area with hot, dry summers and want a low-maintenance lawn. Bermuda grass, on the other hand, is ideal if you want a durable, high-traffic lawn that establishes quickly.
What grass stays green all year in Texas? ›Texas bluegrass is the result of crossing Kentucky bluegrass with native Texas bluegrass. Its appearance is much like Kentucky bluegrass but it is tolerant of Texas heat and sun and can stay green throughout the year. It needs less irrigation than tall fescue and performs best in lawns with little traffic.
When should you plant grass in North Texas? ›Winter or harsh summer isn't the best time to plant grass seedlings. Ideally, spring is your best bet for excellent results. Your lawn maintenance in Dallas can guide you on the next steps here. Ensure you wait until the weather is friendly before proceeding with seeding.
Which grass is better, bermuda or st augustine? ›Augustine grass tends to be more susceptible to pest and disease issues than Bermuda grass. If you're looking for a more disease-resistant grass type, Bermuda grass might be a better choice.
What kind of grass chokes out weeds? ›Zoysia grass creates a thick, soft surface that chokes out weeds and produces stolons that creep along the surface of the soil and expand horizontally.