Are you planning on planting some grass? And you want to make a choice between Crabgrass vs St Augustine Grass? We will explain all you need to know about the two types of grass.

Many homeowners are searching for the best turf that suits their backyard, which is why we decided to review the two best types of turf grasses.

St Augustine Grass and Crabgrass are the two best types of grass for your lawn. They are the most popular grasses commonly used for lawns. Both have unique differences which we will explore in this article.

What is Crabgrass?

The Crabgrass also known as Digitaria sanguinalis is an annual grass that commonly takes over and occupies lawns in the United States. They start to germinate in late spring and early summer at a temperature of 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The Crabgrass produces seeds throughout the summer and dies in the fall when the temperature is low and calm.

The seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to one year and always leave behind a large number of dead leaves and stems during fall.

What is St. Augustine Grass?

St Augustine grass is very popular in the southern United States and is a common choice for home lawns. The grass is easy to care for and can withstand constant moderate foot matches. 

The St. Augustine grass can easily be attacked by pests and diseases. It turns dry and brown in winter and fresh in springtime.

For families with small children or pets who like to play on the lawn, we recommend they consider Crabgrass instead.

Crabgrass Vs St Augustine Grass (Comparison)

In deciding the type of grass to plant on your lawn, there are many factors to consider. One key factor is climate and soil type. If you live in an area with a warm climate, we recommend planting Crabgrass, if not go for St. Augustine.  

Crabgrass grows well in sandy soils and at temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

St. Augustine grass is a cool-season grass that thrives at temperatures of 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It how’s well in clay soils.

Crabgrass Vs St Augustine Grass (Differences)

What’s the difference between Crabgrass and St Augustine Grass? It’s more than just their names. 

Understanding the differences between these two types of grass can help keep your lawn healthy and help you prevent common lawn care issues.

	Crabgrass	St Augustine Grass
Type of Grass	Crabgrass is an Annual grass that lives for one season.	St Augustine is a Perennial grass that lives for more than one season.
Soil Temperature	55 degrees Fahrenheit.	60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer	It doesn’t need fertilizer as often. As Crabgrass dies, it decomposes and returns nutrients to the soil.	It needs more fertilizer.
Cost	It is less expensive to seed your lawn with Crabgrass.	It is more expensive to seed your lawn with St. Augustine.
Color	Light green.	Dark green.
Germination	It germinates in late spring or early summer when the soil temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.	It germinates in spring.
Formation	Crabgrass forms a dense mat.	St Augustine forms a thick turf and has a dense, upright growth habit.
Spreading Growth Rate	It has a low spreading growth.	It has a medium spreading growth rate and also a medium to coarse texture.
Growth height at Maturity	3 inches tall	6 inches tall
Sunlight Exposure	Grows in full sunlight exposure.	Dappled sunlight or partial shade.
Areas with the short growing season	If you live in an area with a short growing season plant Crabgrass in early spring.	If you are in a place with a short growing season, plant St. Augustine grass in late spring.
Resistance	Less resistance to drought situations.	It offers more resistance to drought conditions.

How to Grow Crabgrass?

Crabgrass is an annual grass that reproduces by bearing seed. It is best recommended to plant the seed in late spring or early summer when the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

To grow Crabgrass on your lawn, follow the steps below:

1. Rake the soil to loosen it
2. Spread the seeds on the soil
3. Lightly cover the seeds with soil. 
4. Water the place regularly until the seeds germinate.

How to Grow St Augustine Grass?

St Augustine grass is a warm-season grass that thrives well at temperatures of 80-95 degrees Fahrenheit. You can grow it by spreading seed but it is commonly grown from plugs or sod. To begin:

1. Prepare your soil by removing vegetation and adding soil compost or other organic manure.
2. Mix the new topsoil and the old topsoil (90% old to 10% new).
3. Use a shovel to dig a series of trenches about 6 inches deep and 18 inches apart.
4. Fill each of the trenches with amended topsoil and firm it with the soil lightly.
5. Use sand to cover the base of each trench about 1/2 inch deep to help keep weeds away.
6. Frequently water these newly planted areas until they are established.

How to Tell the Difference Between Crabgrass Vs St Augustine Grass?

The best way to spot the difference between these two plants is from their seeds. Crabgrass seed heads are very small and grow out of the top of the stem.

It also has broader leaves and grows lower to the ground than St. Augustine, which has thinner leaves, forms a thick turf, and has a dense, upright growth habit.

Conclusion 

It’s not always easy to choose between Crabgrass and St Augustine grass. Both are great-looking plants and valuable. They both also have their pros and cons. You can select any that suits your climate and temperature.

Both Crabgrass and St Augustine grass are good grass for lawns. They both need moist soil conditions to survive and reproduce rapidly. 

But there are some differences which we explained in this article. These differences make them distinct in their landscape appearance.

You can choose either of the two based on your needs. Whether you are a homeowner or an investor, it is important you learn the best grass for your yard. It’s even more important to know if Crabgrass is viable or not. 

So, we explained what each one of these options has to offer and see which one should be used in your particular area.