Talk of The Villages Florida

Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   Landscape Talk (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/landscape-talk-129/)
-   -   Alternative to StAugustine grass? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/landscape-talk-129/alternative-staugustine-grass-340882/)

nn0wheremann 04-26-2023 08:09 AM

Alternative to StAugustine grass?
 
1 Attachment(s)
Would this fly in The Villages, or is there a rule against it?

Papa_lecki 04-26-2023 08:28 AM

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.

villagetinker 04-26-2023 08:45 AM

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.

Happydaz 04-26-2023 10:13 AM

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.”

Arctic Fox 04-26-2023 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann (Post 2211791)
Would this fly in The Villages, or is there a rule against it?

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

Uptown Girl 04-27-2023 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox (Post 2211928)
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.

Arctic Fox 04-27-2023 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl (Post 2212171)
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.

charlieo1126@gmail.com 04-27-2023 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by villagetinker (Post 2211817)
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.

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 .

EastCoastDawg 04-27-2023 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com (Post 2212175)
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.

dougjb 04-27-2023 05:21 PM

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

Happydaz 04-27-2023 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougjb (Post 2212351)
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)

wamley 04-28-2023 07:09 AM

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

sowtime444 04-28-2023 09:57 AM

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.

merrymini 04-28-2023 10:02 AM

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.

Pgcacace 04-28-2023 02:00 PM

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


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:48 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.32 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2025 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.