Best Types of Grass for Your Central Florida Lawn (Plus How to Keep Your Lawn Healthy Year-Round)

Keeping a lawn healthy is a delicate process, no matter where you live. Add in Florida’s unique climate, and the challenges increase. While the warm, humid weather allows many grass types to thrive, it also brings specific issues like pests, weeds, and heat stress. Lawn services in Lake Wales, such as Evolve Contracting’s maintenance program, help keep your grass healthy even in the hottest months.

Common / Best Types of Grass in Florida

For Floridians, warm-season grasses have the best chance of staying green in the Sunshine State. For this reason, these grasses are very common and typically dominate Florida lawns:

St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular Florida grasses. Because of its ability to thrive in coastal and southern climates, it makes lawn maintenance in Lake Wales easier. While this grass loves the sun, it can still tolerate some shade.

Care tip: Mow at a minimum of 4 inches during dormant season to protect the roots and help retain moisture.

Bermuda Grass

This grass is known for its durability and drought tolerance. This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas, and you’ll often see it in athletic fields and sunny lawns. However, Bermuda grass does grow aggressively, so it can invade flower beds and other grasses.

Care tip: Keep mowing height around 1–1.5 inches for a dense turf.

Zoysia Grass

Zoysia has a soft, carpet-like texture, giving it a great appearance. This grass can handle moderate shade as well as foot traffic. Zoysia is generally slow to establish, but once it does, it becomes very resilient.

Care tip: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth.

Bahia Grass

Known for its coarse, natural look, Bahia is a low-maintenance grass that is perfect for rural or low-irrigation areas. It is also heat and drought tolerant. While less lush than other grass types, its hardiness and low water needs make it great for Florida lawns.

Care tip: Fertilize lightly, as too much nitrogen will weaken Bahia grass and maintain mowing heights of 2.5-3.5 inches during dormant season.

These grasses are all great for Florida weather, but even though they tolerate heat well, they still require proper care. Without consistent maintenance or lawn services in Lake Wales, they can be at risk of thinning, pests, weeds, and more.

How Grass Health Affects Invasive Species

According to IFAS, “Several insects feed on grass and their roots, and can ruin a perfectly good yard.” This is especially true when grass is stressed, because it becomes more vulnerable to unwanted pests and invaders.

Grass stress can occur for several different reasons, but some general things to look out for include poor watering practices, improper mowing, or nutrient imbalance. These issues all lead to lawn vulnerability, making thick, healthy grass one of the best natural defenses against invasive species.

Mowing and Maintenance Tips for Florida Lawns

For proper lawn maintenance in Lake Wales, Evolve Contracting has the knowledge and experience to help your grass flourish. 

It is important to remember that mower deck height should always be adjusted based on your specific grass type. Sharpening mower blades so they cut cleanly is another key step. Remember that when you’re mowing, do not remove more than one-third of the blade height in a single session, as this helps prevent stress and keeps the lawn healthier. Lastly, fertilizing is important, but make sure it is based on soil test results and the season.

Seasonal Lawn Care Tips

Seasons play a big role in lawn care, as different types of weather call for different grass needs. See below for tips to combat each season with confidence:

Spring: Aerate the soil, fertilize your lawn, and apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent early weed growth.

Summer: Mow regularly and water deeply in the early morning to help your lawn handle the heat.

Fall: Apply a slow-release fertilizer and repair any bare or thinning spots to strengthen the lawn before cooler weather.

Winter: Minimize stress by reducing mowing frequency and limiting foot traffic during the colder months.

With Florida’s hot weather, these seasonal changes are not too drastic, but staying on top of them is essential for keeping your lawn in its best condition.

Make Lawn Care Easy With Evolve Contracting

Consistent maintenance can be challenging to balance with work, life, and other responsibilities. At Evolve Contracting, we have over 15 years of experience keeping lawns healthy and green throughout the year.

Ready to make lawn care easy? Contact us today at (863) 535-0506 to schedule lawn services in Lake Wales or enroll in our comprehensive maintenance program!

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