If you’re looking for a new type of grass to put in your yard, you may be wondering whether Buffalo Grass or St Augustine is the better choice. Both of these types of grass have their pros and cons, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast Buffalo Grass vs St Augustine so that you can make an informed decision about which type of grass is best for your needs!
What is Buffalo Grass?
Buffalo grass is a type of warm-season grass that is native to North America. It gets its name from the fact that it was once an important food source for buffalos. Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance type of grass, which means that it doesn’t require a lot of care or attention. It is also a drought-tolerant type of grass, which means that it can survive in dry conditions. Buffalo grass is a good choice for people who live in hot, dry climates.
What is St Augustine?
St Augustine is a type of warm-season grass that is native to Africa and Asia. This type of grass is known for being very tough and durable. It is a good choice for people who live in warm climates, as it can survive in hot weather. St Augustine is also a salt-tolerant type of grass, which means that it can survive in salty conditions. This type of grass is a good choice for people who live near the ocean or in other areas where there is a lot of salt in the air.
Differences Between Buffalo Grass and St Augustine
Now that you know a little bit about both Buffalo grass and St Augustine, let’s take a look at some of the key differences between these two types of grass.
Origin
As we mentioned above, Buffalo grass is native to North America while St Augustine is native to Africa and Asia. Although they are both warm-season grasses, they come from different parts of the world. This also means that they have different appearances. Buffalo grass is a blue-green colour while St Augustine is a dark green colour.
Maintenance
Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance type of grass while St Augustine requires a bit more care and attention. If you’re looking for a type of grass that doesn’t require a lot of work, Buffalo grass is the better choice. However, if you don’t mind putting in a bit of extra effort, St Augustine is a tough and durable grass that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Climate
Buffalo grass is a good choice for people who live in hot, dry climates. While St Augustine can also survive in hot weather, it is a better choice for people who live near the ocean or in other areas where there is a lot of salt in the air as this particular type of grass is salt-tolerant.
Watering
Buffalo grass is a drought-tolerant type of grass, which means that it doesn’t require a lot of water. St Augustine, on the other hand, requires more water than Buffalo grass. If you live in an area with limited water resources, Buffalo grass is the better choice.
Soil
These two types of grass grow best in different types of soil. Buffalo grass grows best in sandy soil while St Augustine prefers clay or loamy soil. In addition to this, St Augustine will not survive in alkaline soil while Buffalo grass can tolerate slightly alkaline conditions.
Buffalo Grass or St Augustine: What is Better?
Now that you know the key differences between Buffalo grass and St Augustine, it’s time to decide which type of grass is best for your needs. Because both options have their own unique set of advantages, there is no clear answer as to which one is better. The best way to make a decision is to consider your climate, soil type, watering needs, and maintenance requirements.
For instance, homeowners living in hot, dry climates would be better off with Buffalo grass. If you live in an area with a lot of salt in the air, such as near the ocean, then St Augustine is a better choice. And if you’re looking for a low-maintenance type of grass, Buffalo grass is your best option. Similarly, if you have clay or loamy soil, St Augustine would be a better choice.
Will Buffalo Grass Overtake a St Augustine Lawn?
As you can see, there are a few key differences between Buffalo grass and St Augustine. But what if you have a lawn that is already mostly St Augustine? Can Buffalo grass overtake it?
The short answer is yes, Buffalo grass can eventually take over a St Augustine lawn. However, it will take some time for this to happen. Buffalo grass is a very slow-growing type of grass, so it will take several years for it to spread and overtake an existing lawn.
In order to speed up the process, you can take some steps to encourage the growth of Buffalo grass. For example, you can mow your lawn a bit shorter than usual and fertilize it with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. You can also overseed your lawn with Buffalo grass seeds. Some homeowners have also had success using a Buffalo grass spray to kill off the St Augustine grass.
If you’re patient and take some measures to encourage the growth of Buffalo grass, eventually it will take over your lawn. And once it does, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits that this low-maintenance type of grass has to offer.
Is Buffalo Grass the Same as St Augustine?
Despite their similarities, as we have seen, Buffalo grass and St Augustine are two very different types of grass. So, if you’re trying to decide which one is best for your lawn, it’s important to take the time to learn about the key differences between these two options. Only then will you be able to make an informed decision about which type of grass is right for you.
Does Buffalo Grass Come Back Every Year?
Yes, Buffalo grass is a perennial grass, which means that it will come back every year. However, in some cases, the blades of the grass may turn brown and die off during the winter months. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about as the grass will green up again in the springtime.
On top of this, certain things can cause Buffalo grass to go dormant during the winter. For example, if the weather is particularly cold or dry, the grass may turn brown and stop growing. But as soon as conditions improve, the grass will start growing again. However, certain insects and diseases can also cause Buffalo grass to go dormant.
All in all, if you live in an area with a warm climate, you can expect Buffalo grass to stay green all year long. But in colder areas, the grass may turn brown during the winter months. However, it will always come back in the springtime, as long as you take care of it.
Does St Augustine Come Back Every Year?
Like Buffalo grass, St Augustine is a perennial grass, which means that it will come back every year. However, there are certain conditions that can cause St Augustine to go dormant during the winter. These include freezing temperatures, drought, and certain insects and diseases.
Similar to Buffalo grass, warm climates should not have any problems with St Augustine grass going dormant during the winter. However, in colder areas, it is possible for the grass to die off and stop growing. But as long as the roots are still alive, the grass will come back in the springtime.
Buffalo Grass vs St Augustine: What Grows Faster?
Depending on how often you want to cut your grass, you may be wondering which type of grass grows faster: Buffalo grass or St Augustine?
As we have seen, Buffalo grass is a very slow-growing type of grass. So if you’re looking for a low-maintenance option that you won’t have to mow very often, Buffalo grass is a good choice. On the other hand, St Augustine is a much faster-growing type of grass. This means that it will need to be mowed more often. However, St Augustine is also more tolerant of being mowed short, so you won’t have to mow it as high as Buffalo grass. Similarly, it usually gives off a more fresh-cut look than Buffalo grass.
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option that you won’t have to mow very often, Buffalo grass is a good choice. But if you don’t mind mowing your lawn more often and you like the look of a freshly-cut lawn, St Augustine may be a better option for you.
Does Buffalo Grass Need to be Replaced?
No, Buffalo grass does not need to be replaced. As covered previously, this kind of grass is a perennial, meaning that it will come back every year. As such, there will rarely be a need to replace it.
Does St Augustine Need to Be Replaced?
Like Buffalo grass, St Augustine is a perennial and does not need to be replaced very often. However, there are certain conditions that can cause it to die off. As mentioned before, freezing temperatures and drought can kill off St Augustine grass. Similarly, if the pH level of the soil is too high or low, it can also cause the grass to die.
If you do need to replace your St Augustine grass, the best time to do so is in the springtime. This is because the grass will have a better chance of taking root and growing back quickly.
Buffalo Grass vs St Augustine: What is Cheaper?
Although we all want the best-looking lawn, budgets can be tight. So which type of grass is cheaper: Buffalo grass or St Augustine?
Generally speaking, Buffalo grass is the more affordable option. This is because it is a slow-growing type of grass, so you won’t have to mow it as often. Additionally, it doesn’t require as much fertilizer or water as St Augustine does.
On the other hand, St Augustine is a more expensive option. This is because it grows quickly and will need to be mowed more often. It also requires more fertilizer and water than Buffalo grass does.
However, for the initial installation, both types of grasses are usually priced similarly.
Buffalo Grass vs St Augustine: What is Better for Weeds?
We all know that weeds can be a real pain to deal with. These pesky plants can quickly take over our lawns if we’re not careful. This leads many people to wonder which grass types are better at keeping weeds at bay.
The truth is that both types of grasses can be susceptible to weeds. However, Buffalo grass is generally better at preventing them from taking over. This is because it grows more densely, which makes it harder for weeds to take root. Additionally, the roots of Buffalo grass grow deep into the ground, making it harder for weeds to compete for resources.
St Augustine is often a thinner grass, which makes it easier for weeds to take over. Additionally, its roots don’t grow as deep into the ground, making it easier for weeds to compete for resources. Although, neither of these types of grass is known for being particularly weed-attracting.
The Bottom Line
Making the choice between Buffalo grass and St Augustine can be tough. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. For people on the market for low-maintenance grass, Buffalo grass is a great option. It’s also a good choice for people who live away from the ocean but still in a hot, humid climate. This is also the more weed-resistant option of the two, making for less weed picking work down the road.
If you’re looking for grass that looks freshly cut and don’t mind mowing more often, St Augustine may be a better option for you. Additionally, this kind of grass is a good choice for people who live near the ocean or in other hot, humid climates.
Both of these grasses have their pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh all of your options before making a decision. Consider your budget, the amount of maintenance you’re willing to do, and the climate you live in before choosing which one is right for you. No matter which type of grass you choose, you’ll be sure to have a beautiful lawn that you can enjoy for years to come!
