St. Augustine is the most common lawn in Southwest Florida, and for good reason: it handles heat and humidity better than most grasses. But it also comes with chinch bugs, fungus, watering schedules and yellow patches that seem to come back every summer. Here's an honest side-by-side.
Maintenance
St. Augustine: weekly mowing in the growing season, edging, fertilizer, weed control, pest treatments and irrigation checks.
Artificial turf: blow off leaves, rinse pet areas and brush high-traffic spots now and then. A professional cleaning once or twice a year keeps it like new.
Pests, disease and dead spots
Chinch bugs, gray leaf spot, brown patch and large patch are common St. Augustine problems in our climate. Turf doesn't get any of them, and it doesn't die in the dog run or under the oak tree.
Water
A healthy St. Augustine lawn needs regular irrigation, especially in the dry season. Turf needs no watering to stay green, apart from rinsing pet areas or cooling it on hot days.
Shade
St. Augustine thins out in heavy shade. Turf looks the same under a tree as in full sun, which is why side yards and shaded courtyards are some of our most popular installs.
Cost over time
Sod costs less up front than turf. Over the years, though, mowing, fertilizer, pest control, water and replacing dead patches add up. Many homeowners find turf pays for itself over time, and financing makes the upfront cost easier.
Look and feel
Today's turf uses multi-tone blades and natural-looking thatch. Most visitors can't tell from the street. Grass still feels cooler underfoot on hot afternoons, which is the main trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is artificial turf better than St. Augustine grass?
For low maintenance, shade, pets and a lawn that stays green all year, turf wins. Grass costs less up front and stays cooler in full sun.
Does artificial turf work in shade?
Yes. It looks the same in shade as in full sun, which makes it ideal where St. Augustine struggles.
Can you put turf over existing grass?
No. The grass and roots should be removed and a proper drainage base installed, or the turf will sink and drain poorly.
Will turf stop chinch bugs?
Yes. There's no grass for chinch bugs to feed on.
Raysa Machado is the founder of Creative Grounds, a woman-owned outdoor living company in Naples, FL that has installed over 600,000 sq ft of turf across Southwest Florida and Miami.
