Alternative to StAugustine grass?
 

Would this fly in The Villages, or is there a rule against it?

You could ask on the internet and get wrong answers, or call the ARC and get the correct answer.

My guess, it would not be approved.

Depending on where you live the deed restrictions may specify GRASS required. I have seen houses with 'floridia freindly' lawns that really do not look that nice (IMHO), but are allowed in that specific CDD, so as noted above fill out the form for ARC approval, no cost, takes about 2 weeks, and you will get your answer in writing.

Creeping thyme will not grow in zone 9A (most of the Villages) It is too hot here for that plant. There are other alternatives such as the native plants - frogfruit and sunshine mimosa. They can be occasionally mowed to keep them neat and “lawn like.”

TV uses Asian Jasmine as ground cover, and that is allowed as a lawn substitute

Does not have the myriad of other benefits attributed to Creeping Thyme but certainly saves on irrigation, green-up, pest control and other expenses and stays nice and green all year round

Asiatic Jasmine is a vine, and must be edged and also trimmed across the top regularly. I had it incorporated in landscape at a courtyard villa. Looked great, but it was a lot of maintenance. You can't walk on it either, even when trimmed across top, it will be 4+ inches deep.

We put ours in as ground cover, not as a lawn for walking on, so it gets edged once every three months and has never been trimmed across the top. It is under a large tree so that may slow its growth.

I do a lot of walking and biking different places in villages , I’ve have never seen one of these Florida friendly lawns that doesn’t look like a vacant lot . When the state passed this law allowing them , they should have not included subdivisions, they look like crap . I’m sure some people do a good job with them , but most that I see it’s just an excuse to not take care of your lawn .

"Normal" lawns can look awful for several months each year. If the grass used is not frost-tolerant the whole neighborhood looks like a brown vacant lot.

The ground cover you refer to as St Augustine's grass is actually a sedge...not a member of the grass family!

Not correct. St Augustine grass is a “grass.” If it were a sedge it would have triangular stems and other characteristics which St Augustine grass does not have. It is a wide bladed variety of grass and needs to be kept on the long side. (3 1/2 to 4 inches long versus 2 to 2 1/2” for Empire Zoysia grass)

Anything with creeping in its description would be invasive to the properties of others around you. Good luck with that.

Visit the Villages Florida Native Plant Society page on Facebook, or email the leader (it is in the Clubs listing). They will recommend frogfruit or other Florida natives to you. And yes, you need ARC approval but it can be done. Just probably not that creeping thyme - not sure it will do well in this area.

The villages itself uses asiatic jasmine and perennial peanut along with grass. Sunshine mimosa can also be used. They can be beautiful and effective if you know what you are doing. I am a gardener and know how to utilize these ground covers. Most people do not do a good job. That being said, I am no fan of grass and all the water and effort it takes to have a lawn.

I doubt it would look that good here w the summmer heat. Maybe try a small section first.

Centipede is a type of grass that stays VERY low and requires less cutting. I am happy with the way it looks. I am NOT sure if it has the RIGHT "Mommy May I" approval credentials. It is pretty sad when OWNERS of their own property can't pick the variety of grass that they can plant in their own lot.
......What's next, the Villages decides whether residents are allowed to have red or white wine at dinner?????

Right, grass is BORING and requires too much water and fertilizers, which tend to run off and pollute the Village's lakes. Peanut plants produce very pretty yellow flowers and can be cut with a lawnmower and can attract pollinators. And they are tough and hardy.

Not really. I have had Centipede and it required cutting every week, just like the Zoysia I currently have. Height wise it is a lot like Bermuda, which I have also had. Have you actually ever had Centipede?

Then you had the wrong Centipede. There is a big difference between the varieties. Common will do quite well, and you can get away with mowing it once a month or less and stay within TV standards.

Wrong Centipede? Really? Yes, there are different varieties. LOL. Have you actually ever had Centipede?

How to Mow Centipedegrass
Mow centipedegrass every 5 to 7 days when it’s growing. Keep your centipedegrass between 1 and 2 inches tall. Mow less often when the lawn is drought-stressed and raise the height by ½ to 1 inch. However, don’t let the height exceed 2 ½ inches.

Mow the lawn at 1.5 to 2 inches. Weekly mowing is the normal practice. Be sure to keep the mower blade sharp to avoid tearing rather than cutting the grass blades cleanly. During times of drought stress, mow less frequently and avoid unnecessary foot traffic.

There are 5 varieties grown commercially. Yes I have centipede now, have had it in the past, and have installed several centipede lawns for customers using sod and a few larger lawns by seed. Hands down the lowest maintenance grass in this part of Florida by far. IF you use the right variety. I love how in the winter after frost, when all the zoysia and St aug is brown, it gets that nice burgundy hue over the green.

It is my understanding that the grass planted has to do with the Ph and native soil components.
In some parts of The Villages, zoysia grows best. In other areas, it might be St. Augustine or another grass.

I've been told we have zoysia. I have to admit, I can't really tell by looking at it.

What I do know is that I've got a patch in the center, about 2 x 2, that doesn't want to grow much. The rest of the lawn area looks fine, it just won't expand into that area. I've fertilized, checked for bugs/larva, and nothing doing.

Any thoughts on what I might be missing? My next step is to get sod and just cut out and replant the bad spot.

The facts on why the changed grasses have nothing to do with pH or even what is good for the homeowners. The pH will be around 7.2 everywhere as all topsoil is stripped. and fill from a pit is used with no amendments.

Well then, I'd guess you know.