Why St. Augustine and Bahia Are the Go-To Grasses for Florida Lawns

When you live in Florida, lawns are a whole different ballgame than anywhere else in the country. Most northern lawn guys know this and refer to us as “blade runners” because they know here is where the major leagues are. The heat, the sandy soils, the pests, the humidity and the perpetual nature, it all adds up to a challenge that grass from other parts of the country just can’t handle. Over the years, my family has tried just about everything to see what would stick. We weren’t just curious; we really wanted to find the “perfect” grass.

We started with Bermuda. On paper, it seemed like the right fit. It’s tough, grows fast, and you see it all over golf courses. The problem was, as soon as we seeded it, the weeds came in like an army. Keeping Bermuda clean in Florida meant battling weeds every single day. If you missed a day of edging, pulling, or spraying, the lawn looked like it was losing the fight. It was exhausting, and it never gave back the kind of return that made the effort worthwhile.

Then came Zoysia. We loved the way it looked at first because it was dense, green, and soft. But Florida did its thing. The pests found it quickly. Patchiness started creeping in, and before long the lawn thinned out. It became more of a headache than a joy. We kept thinking if we just babied it a little more, maybe it would hold. But no matter what we tried, Zoysia never lasted the way we hoped.

After all those experiments, we always circled back to St. Augustine. And honestly, it’s the only grass that’s stood the test of time. People sometimes say it’s “higher maintenance,” but in our experience, once the right systems are in place, it’s actually the least temperamental grass you can grow here. With proper irrigation, a steady mowing schedule, and some basic care, it practically runs itself. That’s why every time we gave something else a shot, we ended up laying down St. Augustine again just so we could see something nice for a while and catch a break. It’s consistent, it’s dependable, and it always looks like a true Florida lawn.

The other option we trust is Bahia. It doesn’t give you the same lush, carpet look, but it’s as tough as nails. Bahia doesn’t need pampering. It handles drought, poor soil, and neglect better than anything else. If you want a lawn that doesn’t ask much of you but still gets the job done, Bahia is the one.

Looking back, all the experiments taught us one thing: Florida has already figured this out for us. St. Augustine is the grass for those who want a beautiful, consistent lawn. Bahia is for those who want something rugged and low-maintenance. Everything else sounds good on paper, but in reality, it just doesn’t last here.

And if you’re sitting on your porch, looking at your yard right now, wondering what to put down…. take it from us. Don’t waste years (and money) chasing grasses that don’t belong here. We’ve made all the mistakes already. Trust the ones that work, and you’ll thank yourself every time you step out the door.