Types of Grass
St. Augustine
This is St. Augustine grass. If you live in S. Austin this is probably what you’ve got. It is the most shade tolerant of the available turfgrasses. It needs more water to stay alive than it’s bermuda counterpart. Healthy St. Augustine needs very little weed control because the thick blades crowds out the bad stuff.
Bermuda Grass
This is Bermuda grass. If you live in a newer home in S. Austin you probably have this grass. The city wants contractors to put this grass in because they think it needs less water than St. Augustine. It does need less water to stay alive, but needs about the same amount to really look good. If Bermuda gets too dry it will go into dormancy and look like its dead until it gets more water. St. Augustine will just die and need replacing. Bermuda can be planted with seed (which is cheap) while St. Augustine must be sodded. (put down in pre-grown square pieces) Bermuda yards get lots of weeds if you’re not staying on top of it.
Zoysia
This is Zoysia grass. It has a slightly fewer pest and disease problems than St. Augustine, needs a little less water, and feels a little softer because it has finer blades. It’s slightly more expensive, doesnt spread as easily or quickly to fill in dead spots, and doesnt handle human or dog traffic as well.