Sod Types: St. Augustine

Palmetto St. Augustine is a premium warm-season turfgrass celebrated for its adaptability, durability, and striking emerald green color. Originally discovered and developed on a sod farm in central Florida in the 1990s, Palmetto has become the most widely sold patented St. Augustine variety, thriving across the southern United States from North Carolina to California. With its ability to withstand diverse climate conditions, including heat, humidity, drought, shade, and cold, Palmetto St. Augustine is a top choice for residential and commercial landscapes.

Palmetto is the most shade-tolerant St. Augustine variety available, requiring only three to four hours of direct sunlight per day, making it the ideal grass for yards with tree cover or filtered light. Additionally, it boasts an extensive root system, allowing it to retain moisture and exhibit superior drought resistance compared to other St. Augustine grasses. Once established, Palmetto requires less frequent watering, making it a sustainable choice for homeowners looking to conserve water without sacrificing lawn quality.

Unlike many warm-season grasses, Palmetto St. Augustine exhibits excellent cold tolerance, surviving temperatures near 0°F and retaining its vibrant green color longer than Bermuda, Centipede, and other St. Augustine varieties. In mild southern climates, it may even remain green year-round. Palmetto also recovers quickly from wear, sending out runners to repair damaged areas, making it a fantastic option for high-traffic yards, pet-friendly lawns, and family play areas.

With its semi-dwarf growth habit, Palmetto requires less mowing than other St. Augustine varieties while still maintaining a lush, dense turf that naturally suppresses weeds. Its soft texture makes it one of the most comfortable St. Augustine grasses, perfect for barefoot enjoyment and recreational spaces.

Palmetto St. Augustine stands out as an exceptional turfgrass choice due to its remarkable shade and drought tolerance, cold hardiness, and vibrant color. It thrives in a variety of climates and soil conditions, making it a preferred option for homeowners and landscapers seeking a durable, low-maintenance, and visually striking lawn.

Raleigh St. Augustine grass, introduced in 1980 by the North Carolina Experiment Station, is a cold-hardy, medium-green turfgrass known for its adaptability and durability. With a finer texture than Floratam, it offers better shade tolerance and thrives in heavier clay soils, making it a top choice for Texas and other southern regions.

Resistant to St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus, Raleigh establishes quickly through runners, forming a dense, lush lawn. It requires six to seven hours of direct sunlight but can tolerate some shade. While moderately drought-tolerant, it benefits from occasional irrigation in drier climates. It also has resistance to pests like fall armyworms, reducing maintenance needs.

Raleigh should be mowed weekly at a height of 2 to 3 inches. It adapts to soil pH levels between 5.0 and 8.5, though highly alkaline soils may cause minor chlorosis. Regular fertilization and occasional pre-emergent herbicide use help maintain its health and weed resistance.

Ideal for residential and commercial lawns, Raleigh St. Augustine is a cost-effective, low-maintenance grass that thrives in warm climates. While it provides excellent ground coverage, it is less suited for high-traffic areas due to its moderate wear tolerance.