Palmetto St. Augustine Sod in Atlanta, GA
If you want a lawn that looks lush and green, tolerates shade, and doesn't require the constant maintenance of some faster-growing grasses, Palmetto St. Augustine is a strong candidate. It offers broad, flat leaf blades, a medium texture, and a dark green appearance that holds up well even in warm, humid climates with less-than-perfect light.
What is Palmetto / St. Augustine?
St. Augustine grass (scientific name Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm-season turfgrass widely used in southern U.S. landscapes. "Palmetto" is a patented cultivar of St. Augustine known for somewhat finer texture, improved color, and better disease and cold tolerance compared to older varieties. Palmetto St. Augustine forms a dense carpet via above-ground stolons.
Characteristics
| Color & Appearance: | Deep, rich green. It stays greener longer than many Bermudas and Centipedes during heat or drought |
| Texture: | Medium texture; leaf blades are broad and flat. Not as fine as Zoysia, but gives a lush, carpet-like and soft visual feel |
| Shade Tolerance: | Excellent. Performs much better in shady or tree-covered areas than many warm-season grasses. |
| Heat & Drought Tolerance: | Good. Holds up under heat and periods of less water, though not as drought-tolerant as some very tough grasses |
| Cold & Winter Dormancy: | Semi-dormant or dormant in winter; color fades when cold persists. Nevertheless, it has comparatively decent cold tolerance for a St. Augustine variety |
| Wear & Traffic Resistance: | Moderate. It’s not the toughest under heavy impact like sports fields, but handles light to moderate foot traffic well |
| Soil Adaptability: | Excellent. JaMur recovers quickly from traffic and use |
| Other Resistance: | Grows in a range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils. Prefers soils that are not continually soggy, well-drained soils are better |
General Maintenance
To keep Palmetto St. Augustine looking its best, here’s what you’ll need:
Mowing:
Maintain height between 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Mow every 5-7 days when growing rapidly.
Watering:
- During establishment: daily watering so soil is kept wet down ~3-4 inches; prevent wilting
- Once established: more frequent watering during hot months (possibly daily or near-daily in extreme heat), less often (every 4-7 days) in cooler seasons.
Fertilization:
- Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils
- Fertilize at least twice a year (spring and fall) with a balanced fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10), plus additional nitrogen applications in summer
Disease & General Care:
Use appropriate fungicides (for instance, Daconil) to prevent disease when conditions are favorable for fungal issues. Maintain soil drainage and avoid overwatering.
Advantages of Palmetto / St. Augustine
- Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass
- Deep, rich green color that holds up well in heat and some drought
- Plush, carpet-like appearance due to broad flat blades
- Lower mowing frequency compared to more aggressive grasses
- Good resistance to disease with proper care
Potential Drawbacks
- Lower traffic tolerance than some Bermudas or other very hardy grasses - heavy use may damage it or require more repair.
- Dormant or semi-dormant in winter; loses green color in cold weather
- Requires consistent irrigation in very hot/dry periods to maintain best appearance
- Susceptible to certain pests and fungal diseases if conditions are moist, shaded, or poorly drained
Is Palmetto / St. Augustine Right for You?
If you live in a warm to hot climate, and your yard has shady areas or irregular watering, Palmetto St. Augustine could be a great fit. It’s ideal when appearance and comfort matter, more so than needing ultra-fast recovery from heavy wear.
But if your lawn will be used as a heavy-traffic playing field, or if winters are long and cold, you might consider harderier grass types or look into overseeding during dormancy.
Start Your Free Quote Today
If you're interested in outfitting your Atlanta property with Atlanta Palmetto St. Augustine sod, please give us a call or send us an email today for a quote. We are happy to help you achieve the goals you have for your Atlanta property.
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