[idlewild]

I hate our St Augustine "lawn" and am strongly considering replacing it with Zoysia turf which our friends up in CDD 10 have. We're only 8 months into this new lawn and already fighting invasive Bermuda and torpedo grass (I can address). But both our dogs and guests have refused to walk on it - how embarrassing - since it's really not a grass IMHO.

Has anyone done this successfully?

I understand how it's not recommended as both St. Augustine and, to a lesser extent, Zoysia can penetrate into neighboring yards but we're on a corner lot Veranda with a wall (solid bottom) behind us. And our lawn's only direct contact with our neighbor's lawn is under the mock fence for which we are likely landscaping with metal and 2' of rock to create a barrier between the yards. I also mow and treat my own yard so no issues with contractors equipment spreading seeds/weeds.

[jimhoward]

Why do your dogs and guests refuse to walk on the St Augustine? I cut my St Augustine a little lower than recommended....2.5-3" height instead of the recommended 4". That helps with walkability.

If your lawn were eventually taken over by Bermuda would that be so bad? St Augustine, Bermuda and Zoysia all spread via runners. Doesn't seem like that is a discriminator.

But If you want Zoysia I would think you could do it, its just expensive and would need ARC approval, which you would probably get.

[Marathon Man]

Have you read you deed restrictions? Look for a line item that talks about keeping your lawn consistent with the neighborhood.

[Howdy]

Originally Posted by idlewild

I hate our St Augustine "lawn" and am strongly considering replacing it with Zoysia turf which our friends up in CDD 10 have. We're only 8 months into this new lawn and already fighting invasive Bermuda and torpedo grass (I can address). But both our dogs and guests have refused to walk on it - how embarrassing - since it's really not a grass IMHO.

Has anyone done this successfully?

I understand how it's not recommended as both St. Augustine and, to a lesser extent, Zoysia can penetrate into neighboring yards but we're on a corner lot Veranda with a wall (solid bottom) behind us. And our lawn's only direct contact with our neighbor's lawn is under the mock fence for which we are likely landscaping with metal and 2' of rock to create a barrier between the yards. I also mow and treat my own yard so no issues with contractors equipment spreading seeds/weeds.

People that I am familiar with regretted replacing St Augustine with Zoysia.

In order to keep the Zoysia looking like a golf course it will cost $$$$ compared to St Augustine. Especially during the summer.

FYI: Cutting grass short will increase " Burn " so my advice is cut the grass " High " & Cut just a tiny bit more often.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by idlewild

I hate our St Augustine "lawn" and am strongly considering replacing it with Zoysia turf which our friends up in CDD 10 have. We're only 8 months into this new lawn and already fighting invasive Bermuda and torpedo grass (I can address). But both our dogs and guests have refused to walk on it - how embarrassing - since it's really not a grass IMHO.

Has anyone done this successfully?

I understand how it's not recommended as both St. Augustine and, to a lesser extent, Zoysia can penetrate into neighboring yards but we're on a corner lot Veranda with a wall (solid bottom) behind us. And our lawn's only direct contact with our neighbor's lawn is under the mock fence for which we are likely landscaping with metal and 2' of rock to create a barrier between the yards. I also mow and treat my own yard so no issues with contractors equipment spreading seeds/weeds.

2-3 years ago we were looking at homes in Harbor Hills and noticed that they were now using St. Augustine. Were told that this was now the preferred grass. Zoysia was not doing well.

[Velvet]

I have St A.at the back zoysia at the front. The dividing line is half way and covered by bushes so unless you’re cutting the grass it’s hard to tell. The house came that way. My neighbors are similar. I like zoysia better but it seems more sensitive, and gets burned more easily. Mole crickets seem to love it. I mow no more than once a week in the summer. St A loves to grow fast. So far it has not been particularly invasive, staying mostly at the back. But I’m not sure I’d like it at the front too.

[idlewild]

Thanks for all the responses - very helpful. I'm replying in aggregate here:

* Dogs/Guests not liking walking on it: I believe they find is "prickly" even after a mowing. I mow myself, at least weekly in summer and now up to 10-14 days between, and cut it shorter than recommended.

* Bermuda Grass (invasive) replacing: I don't think you can really remove one from the other - at last not with significant work - especially for Floratam Saint Augustine, which is the varietal I think we have here in CDD 15. So, sure, I could let the Bermuda go wild (I'm currently "plucking" and spot treating as much as possible) but it would never fully replace the existing Saint Augustine.

* Nothing in our deed restrictions about keeping consistent turf with neighbors - just maintaining appearance (mowing and edging). And how do I know if this (lawn replacement) needs ARC approval? I was going to submit it just to be safe, as I'm likely adding this to a larger landscaping application, but as a new Villager I'm unaware of the delineations for "not-an-HOA" ARC approval.
EDIT: I see in our ARC manual: "Existing sod or other plant material shall only be replaced with sod or other plant material. Rock is not an acceptable replacement for sod or other plant material(s) except as an accent material in
approved landscaping beds." So, I can replace sod with sod...or even other "plant material" but nothing about it requiring approval. I understand hardscaping but what about replacing existing elements (e.g. the flowerwood pringles they installed with a bottlebrush or their crepe myrtle with or a robellini / pygmy palm), exterior painting within approved color schemes, flag poles, sod?

* I've heard Zoysia requires more maintenance, but I suspect that depends on the variety installed and I would gladly pay top dollar for the easiest to maintain / most resilient. If anyone has any suggestions or experience with this, please let me know!

Thanks again.

[jimhoward]

Pretty much everything outside the house requires approval. Even if you repaint with approved colors, for example, it requires approval unless it is the exact same color.

But, particularly in the south, its a low key process. There is one guy with an assistant sitting in a room at Ezell recreation center with a stack of applications that is about 2 feet high. He spends about 30 seconds on each one. Maybe he previews them in advance ...not sure. There are things that are routinely modified, like landscaping closer than 3' from the line or gazebos that are really sheds or additions. By by-and-large they are all approved. So there is not much to worry about, provided you are proposing something compliant. I went to a meeting a few weeks ago and did not see any applications rejected. Of course nobody proposed anything crazy either.

I have heard there is a committee of a few people and more scrutiny in the north, but I have no first hand experience to confirm that.

[Rwirish]

Zoysia is horrible. Needs constant watering and burns out quickly.

Neither is great but I would not switch to Zoysia.

[Michigan Farmer]

"Up in CDD 10" which makes me believe you are south of 44. South of 44 the St Augistine is "Provista" which is prone to Take all Patch unless treated properly with the correct fungicide, trace elements, and you keep the ph low. All the more reason you should replace it. I've had good luck with the Flortan variety of St. Augistine but if you don't want St. Augistine you can go with Zoysia. You'll have more problems with the St.A from next door moving into your Zoysia. Check your deed restrictions.

[merrymini]

I have had zoysia for 10 years. My son in Minneola has st augustine. I prefer the zoysia. Every grass has different issues. My neighbor had his whole lawn removed and replaced with a form of st augustine and it looks good but mixing grasses is probably not a good idea. They look different and grow at different rates. St augustine looks weedy and rough and seems to take a long time to recover. As a matter of fact, the state of Florida does allow lawn substitutions, such as sunshine mimosa, which supersede local ordinances although you rarely see anyone doing it. It also allows people to install synthetic turf which I would prefer to see instead of rocks.

[Fastskiguy]

Dog shoes!

[SHIBUMI]

Is your lawn green!!!!!!!!!! Thats all that matters............

Great that dogs don't like it, less poop. If people don't like to walk on it make sure they wear shoes. Why are they walking on your lawn anyway!

There is something deeper bothering you about the lawn, is it riddled with bare spots, is it riddled with bugs, thats what zoysia will get you.

Take a ride around the villages, you will not see very many good lawns, especially with zoysia, it takes too long to grow, not as aggressive as ST. Augustine.

Is there a deeper need here for the lawn?

Originally Posted by idlewild

I hate our St Augustine "lawn" and am strongly considering replacing it with Zoysia turf which our friends up in CDD 10 have. We're only 8 months into this new lawn and already fighting invasive Bermuda and torpedo grass (I can address). But both our dogs and guests have refused to walk on it - how embarrassing - since it's really not a grass IMHO.

Has anyone done this successfully?

I understand how it's not recommended as both St. Augustine and, to a lesser extent, Zoysia can penetrate into neighboring yards but we're on a corner lot Veranda with a wall (solid bottom) behind us. And our lawn's only direct contact with our neighbor's lawn is under the mock fence for which we are likely landscaping with metal and 2' of rock to create a barrier between the yards. I also mow and treat my own yard so no issues with contractors equipment spreading seeds/weeds.

[Ozzello]

Zoysia was never a good grass in this part of FL. Not going to list all the reasons, but TV went BACK to Floratam.
You may need top soil added to your St Aug. Is it spongy feeling?
As St Aug. goes, Pro Vista is junk, good ol' Floratam is best. Not great for high traffic, but recovers from issues quickly. All turf will have issues.
The grass with the least number of issues and lowest maintenance is Centipede. Hands down. But the more expensive and/or extensive installation.
NO ONE is getting rid of Bermuda. Beware of the "latest and greatest that now ACTUALLY WORKS" claims. The claims have been around for decades.
Bahia is a great grass here as well. but has it's downsides.
Add some topsoil to your lawn, mow it, remove broadleaf weeds by hand. Fertilize and acidify your 7.2 pH, and don't turn your irrigation off because it rained a couple days in a row. 3 days a week of water is best.

[NoMo50]

If you are convinced you need to totally replace your existing St. Augustine lawn, which I assume is Pro Vista, you might consider another variant...Citra Blue. Pro Vista is notoriously susceptible to Take All Root Rot, and is not very resistant to insects. The Citra Blue variant is much more resistant to disease and insects, it is softer to the touch, and grows more slowly...meaning less frequent mowing. I know a few people who have switched to Citra Blue, and they love it.