Originally Posted by midiwiz (Post 2143419)

However centipede really isn't much different than zoysia when considering maintenence. Where the OP got twice a year..... no idea try every week. and it does get fungus etc. but as always these threads keep me laughing thanks!

Originally Posted by elevatorman (Post 2143413)

And get approval from the ARC.

Originally Posted by Ozzello (Post 2143078)

Zoysia is NOT a great grass for this area. Never was, and still isn't. Centipede would be a scientific and well known choice as the best grass for this area. VERY low water and fertilizer requirements, and needing mowed only once a year added to a resilient pest resistance gives this low growing turf grass, that not only re-seeds itself, but spreads on runners as well the 1st place choice in this part of Florida. When zoysia is brown from frost, centipede is still green but does add a faint burgundy hue.

Zoysia migrated to this part of FL in spite of it's high water requirement ( EXACTLY the same as St Aug.) in spite of it's tendancy to suffer badly from fungus and a myriad of pests that call this area home (not to mention, the dethatching required)... because of a very rainy summer flooding St Aug farms in this area. My theory is the deal made for Zoysia was cheaper than St Aug.(Can't close a house with no sod BTW) Thankfully powers that be found the problems that go along with zoysia do not outweigh the saving, as they have returned to St Aug south of SR44.

Originally Posted by Ozzello (Post 2143099)

I failed to mention, the biggest reason St. Augustine beats Zoysia in this area ( there are so many small reasons ) ... pH. Our avg pH is 7.2, and uncomfortable for zoysia causing iron (and other micro nutrients) to become deficient as it attempts to grow roots into your soil. St. Augustine will do fine up to a blistering 8.5.
This factor alone (plus growing in quickly for the sod farms) is why St. Augustine is the grass of choice for this area, in spite of the lawn connoisseur's from up north seeing it's similarities to crab grass, being healthy and resilient with minimal chemical investments is pretty important.

Seems to be a trend towards this new Round Up ready GMO ST Augustine. THIS I DO NOT ENDORSE!! I hope TV is giving a choice in the new homes to use non-GMO varieties, but I doubt it. If you follow the money, I am sure there is a LOT of money behind this new variety.

I sadly await the future of Mother Nature ( and our ground water, ponds and lakes) where all these lawn spraying companies convince tens of thousands of people to pay them to spray unchecked amounts of herbicide on their lawns...

Originally Posted by Bonanza (Post 2143990)

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Ozello, I know you are well aware of this but it isn't only the spraying of everyone's lawn. It's the spraying of everyone's home, as well. Everything that's sprayed in a house eventually leaches into the ground and then to the groundwater. These chemicals do not dissipate; they are forever in the ground, furniture, walls, etc.

I have preached about this problem many times, and all the spraying is a problem! People move to Florida and think they must have a service contract with a pest company. The pest companies put the fear of God in you and your neighbors tell you that you must have yearly service. Nothing could be further from the truth!

I originally moved to Florida in 1983 and have NEVER had a contract with a pest control company. The two times I had an issue I treated the problem then, but never on an ongoing basis. You will always see an occasional bug, but a few bugs is not a reason to have a company routinely come in and spray.

I encourage homeowners to cancel their service with their pest company and see what happens. I guarantee that if you have a clean house you will hardly see any bugs and you will be helping to save the environment.