As an experienced gardener, I’m often asked by homeowners whether they can successfully mix zoysia and St. Augustine grasses in their lawns. It’s a great question, since both grasses are quite popular in warm climates. Ultimately, combining these two grass varieties can work beautifully, but also presents some unique challenges.
In this article, I’ll share my personal experience and expertise to help you determine if blending zoysia and St. Augustine is the right choice for your yard. As someone who has spent years cultivating lush, healthy lawns and testing different grass combinations, I’ve seen firsthand how these grasses can complement each other when properly maintained. However, their differing growth habits and care requirements mean mixing them requires careful consideration.
There are certainly some compelling benefits, like expanded climate adaptability and increased pest and disease resistance. But drawbacks like contrasting textures and watering needs are also important factors. I’ll walk through all of this in detail throughout the article, including maintenance tips and my own recommendations.
Ultimately, by understanding the nuances of each grass type, you can thoughtfully assess whether combining them aligns with your climate, lawn goals, and commitment level. My aim is to equip you with the insider knowledge I’ve gained through experience so you can make the most informed decision. I’ll even share some of my own tricks for smoothly transitioning between zoysia and St. Augustine.
So let’s dive right in and explore whether these two popular grasses can live together in lawn harmony! I’m excited to share my hands-on knowledge to help you cultivate the yard of your dreams.
What Are the Key Differences Between Zoysia Grass and St. Augustine Grass?
When deciding whether to mix zoysia and St. Augustine grasses, it’s important to understand the key differences between them. As a gardener who has grown both grasses extensively, I’ve noticed they each have unique characteristics and care requirements. Evaluating these differences will help determine if they are suitable to blend in your lawn.
Growth Habits and Appearance
The most obvious difference is their growth habits and visual appearance. Zoysia is a relatively fine-bladed grass that grows in very dense, tight mats. It has a medium green color and can develop a thick, lush look when healthy.
On the other hand, St. Augustine is a coarser grass with wider blades and a light green hue. It grows more upright and has a more sparse, spreading growth pattern compared to the dense carpet of zoysia. St. Augustine generally appears more loose and open.
These contrasts in texture and density are important to note if you’re considering mixing them. You’ll need to determine if you’re okay with these two grasses coexisting with differing forms side-by-side in your lawn.
Climate and Growing Conditions
Zoysia and St. Augustine also thrive under different climate and growing conditions. St. Augustine flourishes in heat and humidity, making it ideal for tropical and coastal climates. It prefers these warm, humid environments and is not cold tolerant.
Meanwhile, zoysia is far more versatile and adaptive to varying conditions. While zoysia thrives in humidity, it also displays good drought and cold tolerance. This makes it suitable for a wider range of climates and environments, from the hot and humid South to cold winters in the transition zone.
If your yard experiences extreme cold or heat, one grass may outcompete the other over time. But in moderate environments, they can potentially coexist.
Maintenance Requirements
Finally, these grasses differ significantly in their maintenance needs. St. Augustine requires more water, fertilization, and care to thrive. During peak growing seasons, it needs to be watered frequently with at least 1-1.5 inches per week. It also needs regular fertilization to maintain its color and vigor.
Zoysia is a more self-sufficient grass that is relatively drought tolerant and doesn’t require heavy watering once established. It also has substantially lower fertility requirements. These reduced inputs make zoysia less labor intensive for homeowners.
Managing the different care needs of both grasses can prove challenging. Proper lawn maintenance will be crucial to prevent die-off of either variety when mixed.
By understanding the unique growth habits, climate preferences, and care requirements of each grass, you can better determine if mixing them suits your specific conditions and maintenance regimen. Evaluating these key differences is the first step toward making an informed decision for your lawn.
What Are the Benefits of Mixing Zoysia and St. Augustine?
While blending zoysia and St. Augustine grasses poses some challenges, there are also several potential benefits that can make it worthwhile for certain homeowners. Based on my experience cultivating mixed lawns, I’ve found the two grass types can complement each other nicely when integrated thoughtfully. Let’s look at some of the key advantages.
Complementary Growth Habits
A major benefit is how zoysia and St. Augustine’s differing growth habits allow them to complement one another. The dense zoysia acts as an excellent filler grass, growing lushly to fill any thin or bare spots in St. Augustine. Meanwhile, the St. Augustine provides shade tolerance that can help zoysia thrive.
I’ve seen firsthand how strategic blending allows the zoysia to patch up lackluster areas in St. Augustine lawns. The mix fills in an attractive, full lawn. And St. Augustine’s shade and heat tolerance aids the zoysia in outcompeting weeds. It’s a win-win combination.
Expanded Growing Range
By mixing grasses with different climate adaptability, you can also expand the range in which your lawn thrives. St. Augustine offers heat tolerance while zoysia increases cold hardiness.
For warmer transition zones where both grasses grow well, combining them extends your lawn’s peak green period into earlier spring and later fall. And in fringe climates, the dual grasses help cover all the bases, supporting lawn health across seasons.
Improved Resistance to Disease and Pests
Since zoysia and St. Augustine have differing disease and pest susceptibility, a mixed lawn also gains improved defense. Your lawn won’t be devastated if one grass suffers disease or pest damage.
I’ve noticed reduced fungus and chinch bug problems in my mixed test lawns, likely because the grasses don’t share all the same vulnerabilities. The diversity seems to enhance overall vigor and resilience.
Pleasing Mixed Texture
Finally, some homeowners actually prefer the visual texture created by blending fine-bladed zoysia with the wider St. Augustine blades. It provides more visual interest than a mono-stand lawn.
With proper mowing and care, the contrasting textures intermingle nicely for a full, lush landscape. It offers the best of both grasses’ aesthetic qualities.
By thoughtfully leveraging their differing assets, a mixed zoysia and St. Augustine lawn can outperform mono-stands in many regards. Evaluate your climate and goals to see if their combined strengths suit your needs.
What Are the Drawbacks of Mixing Zoysia and St. Augustine?
While blending zoysia and St. Augustine grasses can provide benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider before overhauling your lawn. Based on my experience mixing these grasses, I’ve found a few key challenges can arise. Let’s explore them.
Differing Growth Habits
One difficulty with combining zoysia and St. Augustine is their contrasting growth rates and habits. St. Augustine grows substantially more upright and quicker than the slower spreading zoysia. This can create an uneven, patchy appearance if not properly balanced.
Over time, I’ve seen the St. Augustine tend to overtake zoysia areas due to its aggressive growth. This leads to bare spots where the zoysia thins out. Managing their differing vigor and speed of growth takes work to maintain an even lawn.
Increased Maintenance
In addition, mixed lawns require more intensive maintenance to keep both grass types healthy. The water, mowing, and fertility needs of zoysia and St. Augustine vary significantly.
With my mixed lawns, I’ve had to work hard to find a happy medium between over-watering the zoysia and under-watering the thirstier St. Augustine. It’s a balancing act to avoid stressing one type. Similar care adjustments are required for mowing, fertilization, and other tasks.
The extra effort may be worthwhile for some homeowners, but it’s an important consideration. Dual grass management is more demanding than a mono-stand.
Potential Die-Off
There’s also a risk that over an extended period, one grass may eventually die off leaving bare patches. Because zoysia and St. Augustine have different climate adaptations, shifts in weather patterns can allow one type to dominate.
I’ve seen zoysia die out in areas that became excessively shady and wet. And severe winters or droughts may favor either grass over time. Be prepared for potential die-off that requires reseeding or plugging.
Chemical Treatment Difficulties
Finally, selectively treating disease, weed, and pest problems in mixed lawns can be tricky. When issues arise, it’s hard to find control products that impact one grass type but not the other.
Overall, weigh these challenges against the benefits before transitioning to a mixed lawn. With realistic expectations and attentive care, drawbacks can be minimized for a successful blend. But factor in the increased inputs to make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mixing Grasses
When blending zoysia and St. Augustine grasses, many common questions arise. Below I’ve addressed some of the key FAQs I regularly receive from homeowners, drawing from my hands-on experience.
How do you transition between zoysia and St. Augustine?
The best way to transition between existing zoysia and St. Augustine grasses is to do it gradually over time. Avoid abruptly replacing one grass with the other, as this causes a jarring mismatch in texture and growth.
I recommend slowly overseeding or plugging the new grass into the transition zone over several seasons. This gives the grasses time to intermingle seamlessly. Water frequently to help the newly introduced grass establish without thinning the existing stand.
Proper mowing, fertilization, and weed control will also encourage uniform blending between grasses. Take it slow for the most natural mix.
What’s the best way to mow a mixed zoysia and St. Augustine lawn?
Since St. Augustine grows more upright than zoysia, mowing height is key for a mixed lawn. Cutting too short scalps the zoysia, giving St. Augustine the competitive edge.
I advise raising mower height to 2.5-3 inches minimum, even during cooler seasons. This prevents zoysia thinning. It also allows St. Augustine to stay lush. Mowing frequently, at least weekly, also avoids cutting too much at once.
Proper mowing height and frequency are essential maintenance tips for sustaining a healthy zoysia and St. Augustine blend. Adjust as needed based on each grass’s growth.
When overseeding zoysia into St. Augustine, what grass seed should I use?
For best results overseeding zoysia into St. Augustine, choose a seed blend that matches your existing zoysia cultivar. The new growth will integrate most seamlessly.
I prefer fine-bladed zoysia seeds like Innovation, Crown, or Compadre when improving St. Augustine lawns. Their texture blends nicely. For high traffic areas, Zenith or Meyer work well too.
Match seed to current grass type and conditions for optimal establishment and blending when overseeding zoysia into St. Augustine.
Is it better to plant plugs or seed when adding zoysia to St. Augustine?
For quicker fill-in, I recommend planting zoysia plugs rather than seeding when adding zoysia to St. Augustine. Plugs establish and spread faster with less potential for washout or failure.
Space plugs closely, at least 6-12 inches apart, to accelerate the blending process. Plant in spring or early summer while adequate warmth and rainfall help them root strongly and spread.
Seeding takes longer and requires diligent watering and care. But it offers a more affordable option for large areas. Weigh the pros and cons of plugging vs. seeding for your conditions.
I hope these FAQs provide helpful guidance for successfully blending zoysia into St. Augustine lawns! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Conclusion and Recommendation
When considering whether to mix zoysia and St. Augustine grasses, there are several key factors to weigh. As an experienced gardener, I hope I’ve provided helpful insights into the potential benefits and drawbacks of combining these popular warm season grasses.
Based on the pros and cons outlined, you can determine if introducing zoysia into your existing St. Augustine lawn aligns with your climate, maintenance regimen, and aesthetic goals. Blending them successfully takes work, but can expand the growing range, fill in bare spots, and create visual interest.
I suggest a gradual transition focused on complementing the strengths of each grass in suitable growing conditions. Proper mowing, watering, and fertility will be crucial. Weigh your commitment to the extra care required.
For homeowners able to provide attentive maintenance, a mixed St. Augustine and zoysia lawn can perform very well. The diverse turf improves resilience and offers the best qualities of each grass. But be realistic about the inputs your particular site requires.
I hope these insider tips from my decades of experience help you make the most informed decision. A mixed lawn isn’t right for every landscape. But with the proper expectations and preparation, zoysia and St. Augustine can coexist beautifully. Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m always happy to share the knowledge I’ve gained through experimenting with grass combinations to help homeowners cultivate their dream lawns.
