Every year, homeowners all around the country struggle to decide between Torpedo Grass and St Augustine. 

Both are commonly regarded as top lawn options, but you should do your homework before determining which is best for you, your family, and your needs. 

Let’s examine each grass type’s advantages and disadvantages to see how they stack up against one another and help you make an informed choice.

A Description of Torpedo Grass 

Do you know what torpedo grass is? What about a more resilient, quicker-growing cousin like St. Augustine? Torpedo grass, also known as giant feather grass and gulf cordgrass, grows in bunches and has wider, thicker leaves than st. Augustine grass. 

Torpedo grass may be planted almost anywhere as long as you give it plenty of water during its first growing season, even though it thrives in hot climates and can survive saltwater better than any other typical turfgrass species (st. Augustine needs time to get acclimated).

Moreover, it generates more sand-based thatch than St. Augustine.

Here are a few more interesting details regarding the ultimate lawn: 

1. Torpedo grass is a drought-resistant grass that tolerates salt and can endure dry spells without turning brown like other lawn grasses. It is more drought-resistant than St. Augustine, but it is not a good choice for areas with frequently high rainfall since if given too much water it can become muddy and clumpy. Moreover, it can tolerate seawater better than St. Augustine.
2. Warm-weather torpedo grass can be cultivated as far north as zone 5 with the right care, but it thrives in USDA zones 8 to 11 (coastal locations). It is a wonderful choice for warmer climes and regions that frequently suffer more extreme temperatures at specific periods of the year because it is more tolerant to heat than St. Augustine is. 
3. Torpedo grass is not a suitable choice for high foot traffic areas because it is not as soft underfoot as St. Augustine and can be uncomfortable walking on in cold and wet weather.

A Description of St. Augustine Grass 

St. Augustine grass is one of our favorites, so chances are if you’re familiar with warm-season turf grasses, you’ve heard of it before. 

Many homeowners in America choose this type of grass because it is very adaptable and can grow in a variety of environments. 

It grows well in warmer climates, requires little upkeep, and creates some incredibly beautiful lawns. Here are a few more interesting details regarding the supreme lawn:

1. Since it is a warm-season grass, it thrives in higher temperatures (65-85 degrees Fahrenheit). Consider using Bermuda grass instead of other types of grass if you live somewhere with colder winters. 
2. It was developed in Florida by Dr. Wooten Wells in the early 1900s and is a hybrid of the two species of Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon and C. transvaalensis. In honor of its birthplace, the city of St. Augustine, Florida, the name St. Augustine was given. 
3. As a result of its finer texture compared to most other species of grass, it won’t get as hot during the long summer days and will be more bearable to walk barefoot. Moreover, it withstands foot traffic effectively and is renowned for having high wear resistance.
4. If you live in a location that receives a lot of sunlight all day long, you should think about planting some St. Augustine grass. It is not the right choice for shady regions. If you decide to plant it, make sure to water it frequently because it needs a lot of water to grow. 

Discuss the Difficulty of Growing Each Type of Grass, Torpedo Grass Vs St Augustine

Make sure you fully grasp how long each kind takes to grow and how challenging it is to manage it before deciding to plant either type of grass. For instance, it’s a popular misunderstanding that torpedo grass grows from seeds, however, this is untrue.

Torpedo grass, on the other hand, spreads via subterranean stems called rhizomes and can take up to three years to cover your entire lawn. St. Augustine grass, in comparison, spreads by seeds, making it considerably simpler to grow in your yard than torpedo grass. 

Torpedo and St Augustine are both considered warm-season plants, however, St. Augustine is hardier and can withstand colder temperatures than a Torpedo. Due to these reasons, many homeowners prefer to plant st. Augustine in their yards rather than torpedo grass. 

How Long Does Torpedo Grass Vs St Augustine Take To Grow? 

Depending on several variables, we discovered that both varieties of grass took about two to three weeks to become evident when planted beside existing turf in a 20-by-20-foot area.

An entire lawn (between 5,000 and 7,500 square feet) should yield results in approximately a month, but this will vary depending on the weather and other factors like sunlight and watering frequency. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Will St. Augustine Grass Be Overtaken By Torpedo Grass? 

Torpedo grass or common Bermuda infestations on Augustine lawns may require complete repair. To accomplish this and start fresh with a new lawn, the lawn area must be sprayed with a strong concentration of glyphosate. Sometimes it takes two treatments to completely eradicate torpedo grass. 

Can Torpedo Grass be Killed By Anything? 

The most popular and commonly utilized way of controlling torpedo grass is postemergence herbicides. 

What Type of Grass is Superior to St. Augustine? 

Bermuda grass is a low-growing grass that can require less routine mowing and is more drought resistant than St. Augustine. Landscape features must have edges since they might be invasive.

Conclusion 

It depends on your geographic region, financial situation, and lawn-care requirements when choosing between Torpedo grass vs St Augustine. Torpedo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), which thrives in hot and dry climates, is a wonderful choice if you have sandy soil or live in an area with extreme temperatures, like Arizona or Florida.

But, St Augustine is probably your best bet if you want a year-round, lush green lawn or prefer a choice that takes less upkeep. 

When compared to conventional turfgrass kinds, both options are excellent selections because they use less water and fertilizer while still maintaining color for most of the year.