Does grass grow in The Villages?
 

On the very first day of our occupancy here we were deluged by folks ringing our door offering all kinds of services. We signed up with a nice fellow who would cut our grass each month. He has done that faithfully, weeded and edged, aerated and fertilized and even fixed an irrigation pipe we broke when planting a bush.

I just never see the grass getting longer..........anywhere!!! I also notice that we south of 466 have a different kind of grass than those folks I have visited north of 466.

Is YOUR grass growing?

Wait a few months. You'll be amazed at how fast it will grow. Right now, Florida grass (I think of it as a weed), grows sideways and puts down more roots. During the spring and summer, it shoots up. Hopefully, your guy isn't cutting more than twice a month. It really isn't good for the grass to be cut weekly this time of the year.

The grass really does grow - and grows well. Unfortunately it grows well along with a lot of unwanted "stuff" that also grows well (aka weeds). On the bright side, flowers, shrubs and other outdoor plants also do quite well. We are sort of in a dormant period for growth right now (the rest of the country calls it "winter"). Come spring (i.e. about February 15th) "stuff" will start shooting up faster than they (or you) can cut, weed and trim it.

You are correct on the two different kinds of grass. North of 466 (generally) the developer planted a grass called Saint Augustine. I think everywhere but The Villages this is called "crab grass". It's very hearty, puts down a great root system to hold the soil, and it is easier to break into a bank safe than it is to remove Saint Augustine grass to make room for a new flower bed. I have been told that it also requires more water than most grasses. In the interest of water conversation, the developer switched to another kind of grass south of 466. I don't live there so I have no clue what it is called.:D

Empire Zoysia - comparison here: http://www.laymanstraining.com/lawn.html

And I think you can forget the aerating unless you have a dense root system.
This sandy soil drains like crazy.
If roots are thick, thatching might be better.