Beware of wonder grasses

By Larry Williams, UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Okaloosa County

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” This phrase offers sound advice for the person looking for that “perfect” lawngrass.

Advertisements for the perfect or wonder lawngrass are quite common. But be skeptical when reading advertisements that proclaim an amazing grass that produces a lush, green lawn with very little care. Question advertisements for grass seed mixtures that will grow under extreme conditions. Beware of advertisements that do not include a specific name for the lawngrass being sold. Don’t believe advertisements that claim their grass even grows in impossible spots.

I recently called a company that is advertising a grass seed mixture to find out specifically what grass seeds are in this too good to be true mixture. I was told the seed mixture included Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass. This information does not appear in the advertisement. It is possible to order pounds of this seed mixture without ever knowing what is being ordered. And it is advertised as a grass mixture that will grow in extreme heat or cold.

Because our permanent lawngrasses in North Florida go dormant (turn brown) during winter months, some people prefer to overseed their lawn with ryegrass during fall. The ryegrass seeds germinate and produce a green lawn during winter through early spring. However, as the weather warms in late spring and summer, the ryegrass dies. The same is true for bluegrass. The various ryegrasses and bluegrasses are cool season grasses. They will not tolerate Florida’s hot, humid summer weather. They will not produce a permanent lawn in our area.

Basically there are seven types of grasses from which to choose when considering planting a Florida lawn. Centipede and St. Augustine are the most commonly planted lawngrasses in our area. Bahia, bermuda, carpet, seashore paspalum and zoysia are used less often. All of these grasses have advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered and understood before choosing a grass for your lawn.

Given enough time, most people in our area will become frustrated with their lawn. As a result, North Florida is a great area to market a too good to be true grass. It’s difficult to grow a lawn here. All of our lawngrasses are native to other parts of the world – they did not exist in our native ecosystem. Many people’s expectations for a Florida lawn are too high. Because of these factors, many people are looking for that too good to be true grass. But be cautious before spending your time and money on one of those wonder lawngrasses. 

For reliable information on establishing and growing a Florida lawn, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office or visit http://yourfloridalawn.ifas.ufl.edu. 

Originally published July, 2007