What should Space Coast homeowners know about St. Augustinegrass lawns?

St. Augustinegrass is established only by sod, plugs, or sprigs, and UF/IFAS recommends mowing standard cultivars at 3.5 to 4 inches. Cultivars differ on shade, cold, and pests, which matters for Brevard County yards.

When buyers tour homes in Melbourne, Viera, Merritt Island, or Satellite Beach, the lawn gets a quick glance. After closing, it becomes a weekly chore and a recurring expense. Knowing which St. Augustinegrass cultivar is in the yard, and how it should be mowed, can save a season of frustration.

This guide relies on UF/IFAS Extension publications, plus the Brevard County Extension office's fertilizer guidance. I am a REALTOR, not a turf scientist, so I stick to what those pages state and point you to them for details.

Why is St. Augustinegrass so common in Brevard County?

UF/IFAS publication LH010, "St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns," describes it as a warm-season turfgrass for Florida lawns. It notes the grass has relatively good salt tolerance, which is worth knowing if your home sits near the ocean or the Intracoastal on the Space Coast. Because it is propagated only by vegetative means, you will see it installed as sod rather than grown from seed.

That detail matters when you are pricing a yard. If the lawn is failing, replacing it means buying sod, plugs, or sprigs, not scattering seed.

Which cultivars should buyers know about?

UF/IFAS describes several cultivars, and the traits are not the same. Here is a summary of what the publication says.

Cultivar Stated traits (UF/IFAS EDIS LH010)
Floratam Poor cold and shade tolerance, does not persist well with less than 6 hours of sunlight daily, and chinch bugs are now a major pest of it
Bitterblue Good cold and shade tolerance
Palmetto Does well in full sun or partial shade, but not dense shade, and is not resistant to insects
Seville (dwarf) Performs well in shade and full sun, is cold sensitive, and is susceptible to chinch bug and webworm damage
CitraBlue More drought tolerant than Floratam, Palmetto, and Raleigh

If you are buying a home with a shaded back yard, ask the seller what grass is installed and whether it has thinned under trees. A cultivar with poor shade tolerance can look patchy in that spot even with good care.

How tall should you mow?

UF/IFAS says standard cultivars such as Bitterblue, Classic, and Floratam should be mowed at 3.5 to 4 inches. Dwarf cultivars, including Seville, should be mowed at 2 to 2.5 inches. Palmetto is listed at 3 to 4 inches. The publication also says to remove no more than one third of the blade at a mowing, and to raise the height during moisture stress or in shade.

It describes the grass as typically needing weekly mowing during the growing season and less frequent mowing in cooler months, with mower blades sharpened monthly during the growing season. Mowing too short is a common reason lawns thin out, so if you hire a lawn service, ask what height they set.

What about chinch bugs?

The UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions page on St. Augustinegrass calls chinch bugs the most difficult pest of the grass. Affected areas look like yellow to brown patches, and injury typically occurs first in grass that is water-stressed or in full sun. The page says to treat in the spring if using a pesticide and to follow label instructions. It also suggests non-chemical options such as reducing thatch or minimizing fertilizer.

If you see brown patches during a showing or inspection, mention it to your agent. It can be a pest, a watering issue, or something else, and a lawn professional can tell the difference.

What should you know about fertilizer rules?

The UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension office publishes a fertilizer ordinance chart. It lists a rainy season ban from June 1 to September 30 for unincorporated Brevard County and for every municipality listed. It also lists no phosphorus without a soil test, at least 50 percent slow release nitrogen, and no fertilizer within 15 feet of water bodies for unincorporated Brevard.

The page calls itself a general guide and says to verify current requirements with your local government before fertilizing. Treat it as a starting point and confirm the rule for your city.

How do you care for new sod?

The EDIS publication describes a watering schedule for fresh sod: several short irrigations of 5 to 10 minutes through the day for the first 7 to 10 days, then once daily for 7 to 10 days, then 2 to 3 times weekly, with the sod considered established in about 3 to 4 weeks. It advises laying sod in a staggered, brick-like pattern with edges fitted tightly.

For mowing, the two UF/IFAS pages differ slightly. EDIS says wait until the roots peg down, generally 14 to 21 days after planting. The Gardening Solutions page on planting your lawn says to wait three to four weeks. A safe approach is to wait until the sod resists a gentle tug, and ask your installer.

Where can I read the sources?

FAQ

Can I grow St. Augustinegrass from seed in Florida?

No. UF/IFAS says St. Augustinegrass is established by vegetative propagation only, which means sod, plugs, or sprigs.

Why is my Space Coast lawn turning yellow or brown in patches?

UF/IFAS lists chinch bugs as the most difficult pest of St. Augustinegrass, and they often show up first in water-stressed or full-sun grass. Patches can have other causes, so have a lawn professional take a look.

Does St. Augustinegrass handle salt near the beach?

UF/IFAS describes it as having relatively good salt tolerance, which is helpful for beachside yards in Brevard County. It does not give cultivar-specific figures.

My partner Nichole and I got your back. Reach out anytime at (321) 212-7676 or www.livingspacecoast.com.