Very drought tolerant and only needs 1/3 the water of Fescue requires to keep it alive and green during the hot summer. Both of them are tough but Bermuda can tolerate more foot traffic. It grows relatively looser than when compared with zoysia. Differences: Bermuda grass vs Fescue Grass While they may both be considered lawn grasses and share a few similarities here and there, Bermuda grass and fescue grass are quite different. The maximum growth of both species is often not obtained because of mowing. Zoysia grass is the finer of the two grasses, and creates a thin but complete carpet in the sodded area. Should I seed or sod? This helps you will have success with a wider variety of site and soil conditions. This point alone may make the choice for you. Homeowners can have the best of both worlds by selecting a blend of the two seeds or mixing sod strips to give the lawn the optimal benefits of both. Q: My lawn gets 4-5 hours of sunlight. Many homeowners will find the best option to be laying down sod – strips of soil with carefully tended grass already sprouting from them. I am also thinking about the Bermuda because the fescue is dead as usual this time of the year. As compared to zoysia grass, which is a warm season grass, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a hot weather grass that grows aggressively in Southern states.Because of its fast growth rate, Bermuda grass needs more of everything than zoysia grass does: more water, more fertilizer, and more frequent mowing. With unmatched customer service, you can guarantee that the professionals at Tifton Turf will be on hand to assist you with any questions that you may have along the journey. It can survive in areas of ‘wind shadow’ from trees and houses that would ordinarily be too shady for anything else to grow. If the sodded area is in a high traffic area, for instance, a play area or sporting pitch – fescue’s rough grass may be unpleasant to walk on. If I remember right, we had grass in our backyard before and it was Bermuda, but over the years it died out. Bermuda Grass vs. Fescue Grass Comparison Chart Zoysia can better withstand drier and saltier soil than fescue, making it usable in harsher climates or unworked soil. We have done some modifications to control this. It has relatively weak seeds that rely heavily on an established root network to thrive. Zoysia Vs. Fescue Grass. Tall Fescue vs Fine Fescue – Which One To Choose in 2020? Fescue grass tends to be coarser than zoysia. Once established, it’s durable even without fertilization. Even the more desirable “turf type” Fescue is the heaviest maintenance lawn type for our area. To get well established, best bet is to sod, not seed. With zoysia, the initial amount of sod can yield far more grass than the homeowner paid for. ITs not as sunny as our front yard and gets a little shade. Tall Fescue: Differences Between These Turf Types January 11, 2018 As a professional, you’ll be the trusted source for deciding what grass seed to use for a certain application, but are you well versed on when and why to use bermudagrass vs. tall fescue? Along the blade of Bermuda grass, white hair-like puffs protrude from where the stem intersects with the leaves. Its finer blades form a dense tangle ground cover. Common Bermuda and Fescue grasses are both known for creating low-maintenance lawns. While zoysia grows from rhizomes, fescue grows from seeds. Unkempt grass brings about the opposite effect. Although the need to mow less makes fescue the tempting choice, the grass will need more preparation work as well as patching up when it gets damaged a second time. 2016-05-11 . Bermuda grass is quite softer and it's easy to mow the grass. For this reason, there are only a few types of grass that do well in Texas. I’m trying to decide between TifTuf bermuda and Zenith zoysia. The aesthetic factor is more compelling in the decision process than you might think. Users of zoysia will find that it is a seasonal plant, lasting for warm months and browning in the cooler winter temperatures. bermuda, grass, st augustine, vs, zoysia. We will also be looking at the price and availability of each specimen. Zoysia grass tolerates more wear and drought conditions than fescue making zoysia a better choice for high traffic areas. A homeowner has several options for repairing a damaged lawn, whether it is due to vehicle traffic, rain, or children out getting some fresh air. I've owned homes/yards for 18 years now, and barely even bothered fighting the fescue fight but prefer the zoysia. Zoysia. Bermuda vs Fescue Grass may not be your go to when thinking of a pristine lawn, but maybe it should be. Maintenance. and fescue (Fescuta spp.) It noticeably absorbs more wear and tear when compared to fescue. Things to consider before buying Bermuda vs Zoysia vs Fescue: Both grasses are versatile and have more than one cultivar. Tall fescue tolerance study was conducted at the Little Course on ‘Rebel Jr.’ tall fescue managed as a golf course rough. Copyright © 2020 Phil Busey Agronomy Consulting Inc. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Paspalum grass for lawn | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener, Identification and History of Bitterblue St. Augustine – Turfgrass Producers of Florida, Identification and History of Bitterblue St. Augustinegrass. This is perhaps effective, but rarely quick or practical. Although most people envision a lush, green lawn as the backdrop to their summer, having one is easier said than done. Must have lots and lots of full sun. I still think we get about 4-6 hours of sun every day. This creates an instant repair to a trampled lawn while avoiding the many pitfalls of growing your own grass. Then depending on the severity of that shade, one variety of St. Augustine or Zoysia may work better than another. I have empire Zoysia in a shady area and it does great. The entire point of a grass replacement is to create an attractive yard. Not sure about Bermuda. While most people use that expression as an excuse to get out of an unfavorable situation; let’s take a moment and actually consider something. The latter makes it easier to manually patch holes in the sod cover. They have samples of all types out front. Compared to fescue, zoysia is relatively high maintenance. Tall Fescue vs Fine Fescue – Which One To Choose in 2020? It has even spread about 3 feet over the last 3 years in the shady area. The good thing about fescue is it lives much better in shade! Fescue does not grow via root network like sodded grass. 2016-05-11 . We have done some modifications to … Unfortunately that is when I am outside the most and have to look at it. If you have full sunlight, I’d say Bermuda grass is better than Zoysia out on sports fields or in higher traffic areas where it’s important … Is it the right time to do so ? Multiple Locations. There is some patchy Bermuda in both front and back. Related Article: Tall Fescue vs Fine Fescue – Which One To Choose in 2020? Zoysia’s appearance is a darker green than fescue. Sod Installation: Zoysia vs Bermuda Grass With the arrival of spring, many homeowners begin sprucing up their lawns and yards. This grass prefers to be mowed down to three and a half inches. Sod Installation. Raising the mowing height of the fescue can help by increasing the strength and density of the grass and also by shading out any low-growing Bermuda grass that has made its way into the lawn. Follow. Zoysia vs Fescue vs Bermuda. It will be torn up more readily than smooth, fine blades. If you live in the south zoysia is a good choice, particularly those with thicker blades. The Bermuda grass vs Zoysia grass will inform that the former grows faster and can fully cover the lawn within 1 year. WeedKillerGuide 1939 Continental Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, United States, Finer blades are more pleasant to walk on. Now I am thinking whats the best grass to put there. Two of the most popular breeds of sod grass are Zoysia and Fescue. Many seed blends and sod mixes are commercially available and are, in fact, blended specifically to shore up the weakness of either species. Of course, their aesthetic appeal once placed in your lawn is another consideration. South Florida Turfgrass Field Day and Expo. Is it TARR or just bad idea of Winter Rye? But Zoysia grows slowly and therefore you do not need to mow the grass frequently or even every week. Fescue is a cool-season grass that tends to do best in the fall and spring. Fescue grass does well in the shade unlike Bermuda, so it may be the best choice for shaded properties. Over the past few years, we have had a major erosion issue in our backyard. To keep it green in the warm summer months, more watering may be required. Weed Killer Guide may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. how much sun does Zoysia require, versus Bermuda. were conducted on a ‘Meyer’ (Zoysia japonica Steud) and ‘Cavalier’ [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.] It is a lot more of a hassle than many have the time or effort. This promotes the rhizome spreading that gives zoysia its regenerative capacity. Zoysia vs Fescue vs Bermuda. Compared to fescue, zoysia is relatively high maintenance. Pros for Fescue: stays relatively green year-round. That makes it the first choice for those looking to rehabilitate a yard or lawn with areas that fall under tree shade or the shadow of a house. For example, zoysia grasses tend to have species with relatively narrow blades, or less than 1/10th inch. Tall Fescue vs. Zoysia. Fescue vs. Zoysia Fescue or Zoysia Comparison Zoysia vs Fescue. This grass prefers to be mowed down to three and a half inches. Below is a table detailing the differences between these two types of turfgrass. While no grass will thrive in dense shade, fescue can handle much less sun – 4 hours of direct, or 8 hours of filtered sunlight. tatyavinchu – posted 29 July 2012 14:15. No Comments. Fescue grows quickly, but requires more water and more frequent mowing in the fall and spring. Bermuda grass is a dark green perennial grass that usually grows to be no more than two inches long. Legacy post . Fescue is a turfgrass that’s characterized by ultra-fine leaves. While no grass will thrive in dense shade, fescue can handle much less sun – 4 hours of direct, or 8 hours of filtered sunlight. Fescue grass tends to be coarser than zoysia. We are considering sodding with Zoysia, as I hate Bermuda. Let’s take a look at them, side by side, to get a good idea of which one is perfect for your yard. Bermudagrass vs. zoysiagrass fairways in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Choosing one of these is a matter of which one will last the longest after being laid down and will readily take to the soil after it is placed. Whats the best grass to plant? Zoysia does best when mowed below two inches. Zoysia grass is the finer of the two grasses, and creates a thin but complete carpet in the sodded area. Although this makes it hard to patch, however, once it is rooted the grass will more reliably patch itself when damaged. Bermuda vs Zoysia – Which Will Win Q: I live in a neighborhood where the front lawns are required to be Bermuda grass. Bermuda grass is known to be slightly more durable than Fescue, though and can repair itself when damaged by pets or kids. Texas is well-known for extremes in temperature and lengthy dry spells. The smooth, soft blades of zoysia are the clear winner when compared to the many varieties of fescue. It will need continual tending to maintain a solid appearance. When compared to Bermuda, Fescue has thinner blades of grass. As a general rule, fescue should be seeded instead of sodded. Now its time to put some soil and grass back. I switched to zoysia 2 years ago and have been very happy. Zoysia grass does requires more maintenance than … Any sod of course is more expensive than seed, but Zoysia is almost double the cost of fescue sod. For areas with heavy shade, Elite Tall Fescue may be your best choice. This grass is the decisive favorite for areas of high foot traffic. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) Bermuda Grass vs. Fescue Grass. The only fescue yards in my neighborhood that look good more than 4 months a year are those where a whole lot of work is put into them constantly. Native to Asia, Zoysia grass is typically used as a ground cover or grass substitute in Japanese or Zen style gardens. Zoysiagrass. It is worth noting that these two grasses actually thrive in many of the same climates. Bermuda grasses, on the other hand, tend to be less than 1/10th of an inch in blade length. I have mainly Tall Fescue, rather ugly I think. As a homeowner, it is safe to presume that you are looking for what will make your front lawn look the best. Even if you can handle this, though, it robs your lawn of its natural state. Some may have the patience and resources to seed the damaged ground, creating a natural replacement for their yard’s green carpet. Users of zoysia will find that it is a seasonal plant, lasting for warm months and browning in the cooler winter temperatures. Installed drain pipes etc. Zoysia grass is the more appealing choice for homeowners in terms of aesthetic appeal and the work involved. No Comments. Fescue grows at a more gradual pace and so it will require less maintenance to remain healthy. > Bermuda vs Zoysia vs St Augustine Grass in Texas. Zoysia, when damaged beneath the turf, often fully recovers on its own should. Although it cannot take the beating that zoysia grass can withstand, fescue grass is more resilient to natural challenges. Zoysia is a lower input grass than Bermuda or Fescue. Over the past few years, we have had a major erosion issue in our backyard. Zoysia can tolerate light shade, but it cannot tolerate the deep shade where fescue thrives. Legacy post . What Is Fescue? They are usually a blend of several hybrids that offer different qualities. The good thing about fescue is it lives much better in shade! How Much Traffic Will the Lawn Get? These grasses have some differences and some similarities. One of my neighbors decided to replace his lawn with Zoysia without the homeowner associations’ approval. Fescue can grow in the shade as well, a quality most grasses lack. The runners are awful getting into flower beds. The easiest solution may seem to be cordoning the lawn off and let it grow back. Zoysia is quite stiffer compared to Bermuda grass, and as a result it's more difficult to mow. Some homeowners might give up entirely and pave the area or else switch to a synthetic turf – doubtless efficient, but rarely cost effective. It grows relatively looser than when compared with zoysia. If there’s an area of your lawn with little or no grass, seeding it with fescue is a surefire way to treat it. Author: Clint E August 5, 2015 0 Comments. We tried seeding with Zoysia last year, but never saw any coming up. We have 3 locations throughout Georgia to better serve our customers. It only requires 2 fertilizer applications per year, any more and you will have thatch problems. This may be what the homeowner desires. Both the grasses can tolerate drought and both turn brown during the winters. While Zoysia’s water needs are similar to a Red Fescue, a quality that earns it a place on many a lawn-alternative list, it fails to free its owners from intense lawn maintenance schedules and nasty chemicals. Only needs mowed once every 7 to 10 days because it grows much slower. Which is more shade tolerant? There are a lot of additional factors that will determine success when planting either grass in partial shade. It also means this grass is not self-repairing. Things to consider before buying Bermuda vs Zoysia vs Fescue: I’d give Zoysia a try. Zoysia vs. Fescue: Hot Summers. Turf-type fescue grass is also dark green, but it grows up to 3 or 4 feet if it is left to grow on its own. A: Both grasses are “somewhat“ shade tolerant. This species can withstand all seasons, including far more precipitation than zoysia normally tolerates. Zoysia Grass vs Bermuda Grass . Of course, getting sod right means choosing the right type of grass, one that will last in your climate and look good with the rest of your lawn. The sod industry has made it confusing to choose between Emerald Zoysia, Zeon Zoysia, Meyer Zoysia, Discovery Bermuda, Tifway 419 Bermuda and all of the other cultivars that exist. both make excellent turf and lawn grasses. Tolerance. Both are noted for their dense coverage and durability after sodding. You may be ignoring more environmentally friendly options that are so readily available today. Cons for Bermuda and Zoysia: totally brown in winter. It can be found in a number of different shades depending on what subspecies is selected. Zoysia grass is usually started from either sprigs, plugs, or sod because its seeds are of poor quality. As it grows, Fescue’s ultra-fine blades will help to fill your lawn. Zoysia Tenuifolia. The Roundup Need help…live in DFW sodded Palmetto S/A last year looked great…over seeded Winter Rye…mow yard looks awful. Related Article: Tall Fescue vs Fine Fescue – Which One To Choose in 2020? Best Grass Seed For Dogs in 2020 – Our Reviews and Comparisons. Need help: Weed control for ornamental perennial peanut (rhizomes type)? Hybrid Bermuda varieties are somewhat more finicky, as they require higher amounts of nitrogen fertilizer. Zoysia and fescue can overlap in the middle part of the southeastern U.S. Parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi can be too humid for fescues to thrive, although they may linger in shady portions of older lawns. Unless you’re really into lawn care, most people don’t really consider what type of grass they want in their yard but still find themselves looking at pictures of fields of billowing grass hills, far off countryside or even their neighbor’s lawn. 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