Zoysia and St. Augustine are two varieties of turfgrass we have recently explored. King Ranch Florida produces another variety of turfgrass that is popular across Florida. We’re talking about our Bermudagrass cultivars.
Bermudagrass
Given its name, we may think that this variety of grass originated in Bermuda. While it is native to Europe, Africa, Australia and much of Asia, it is not native to Bermuda or North America. Some cultivars of bermudagrass are characterized by coarser leaves and are not usually ones that a homeowner or property manager wants. However, the improved, fine-textured cultivars are used throughout the south on golf courses, athletic fields, and in high-profile landscapes where a fine-textured, dense ground cover is desired.
Advantages
According to the University of Florida Extension Services, “Bermudagrass has excellent wear, drought, and salt tolerance and can withstand low temperatures by transitioning into dormancy. It establishes rapidly and can outcompete most weed species.” The medium-to-dark green turfgrass adapts well to the soils and climates of Florida. It is one of the best choices for situations where irrigation is not available on a persistent basis.
Disadvantages
Bermudagrass varieties require higher maintenance levels than other grasses typically used for home lawns. They can aggressively invade flower beds and landscaping. They do not tolerate shade well, nor do they tolerate some insects or diseases well. These grasses require more maintenance than some others.
Celebration
One variety we grow here in Florida is Celebration Bermudagrass. The Celebration cultivar was originally bred in Australia and has a dark, blue-green color. This cultivar is not just pretty. It is highly drought resistant and very wear resistant. It is popular for golf courses and sports field applications. This strong and wear-resistant grass requires less mowing than many other bermudagrasses.
Latitude 36
Oklahoma State University developed this cultivar. It has been adapted to survive in colder climates than most other bermudagrasses. Excellent tensile strength and being soft to the touch are two attributes that make Latitude 36 popular. This industry favorite is a popular choice for golf courses, football stadiums and soccer fields. FedEx Field and Arrowhead Stadium are two professional stadiums using Latitude 36.
Tifway 419
Tifway 419 is a deep green grass. It has a fine texture, tolerates wear very well and is a weed-resistant variety as well. Tifway 419 is the most widely used hybrid bermudagrass in the south on golf courses and many athletic fields. It is very wear resistant but requires increased maintenance in terms of mowing frequency, nutrition and protectant chemicals. Tifway 419 can be found at Raymond James Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium and TIAA Bank Field.
King Ranch Florida Turfgrass is a full-cycle operation. We grow and harvest our different varieties of grass right here in Florida. King Ranch Florida Turfgrass is proud of the environmentally-conscious “best management practices” farming policies it has implemented throughout its Florida operations. Contact us if you have questions about which variety of turfgrass will meet your needs.