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Bitter blue versus bermudagrass sod which is best for south Florida lawns

If you’re thinking of installing a new lawn with fresh sod grass in Florida you have probably come across bermudagrass and bitter blue sod varieties. These grass types are both excellent choices, as they grow well in the south Florida, especially in areas like Fort Myers, Labelle, and Dunedin. Our sod professionals at Smart Sod have outlined the pros and cons of both varieties so you can make the right decision for your home or work site and see which is the best choice for your project.

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Bermudagrass Pros and Cons

Bermudagrass is a popular variety in areas like Labelle and other areas of southwest Florida. It is used in a variety of places, from sports fields, parks, lawns, and golf courses. It is often used on sports facilities because of its ability to handle high foot traffic.

Bermudagrass is easy to set up and establish and does great when starting from sod. Understanding its pros and cons will help you set your yard or work site for optimal growth.

Here are some of the benefits and considerations to learn about before installing bermudagrass.

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Bermudagrass Pros

  • Handles southwest Florida temperatures well
  • Can be mowed short
  • Prefers full sun
  • Handles high foot traffic well and bounces back quickly after damage
  • Grows quickly
  • Good at tolerating drought and low water conditions

Bermudagrass Cons

  • Needs frequent mowing
  • Browns after extended periods without water
  • Can spread into flower beds or areas
  • Requires a lot of sun, which may be hard to maintain in shady areas
  • Browns in colder winters

Bitter Blue Pros and Cons

Bitter blue is a variation of St Autustine Floratam and is a popular grass used at homes across south Florida. It is well adapted to the warm areas and is loved for its beautiful dark blue green color and ability to handle both sunny and shady areas.

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Bitter Blue Pros

  • Blue green color is a favorite for many Florida residents
  • Does very well in shady areas
  • Holds its color well in droughts
  • Establishes quickly
  • Slower growth means less mowing

Bitter Blue Cons

  • Can dull in appearance in the winter
  • Some don’t care for the dark green color
  • Not ideal for areas with a lot of sun
  • Slow growth means it may need more watering to grow quicker
  • Good wear tolerance, but not as good as bermudagrass

Bermudagrass vs bitter blue: which should you choose?

If you’re debating between bermudagrass and bitter blue you may want to consider the pro and cons for each and make your decision accordingly. Both grasses are tolerant to Florida’s temperatures so you will want to consider the look and environment you’re looking to install in.

Color

One big difference between these two is the color. While bitter blue has a dark green blue color, bermudagrass has a more traditional green color. If a dark color grass is what you’re looking for, consider looking at bitter blue.

Best uses

Bermudagrass is sought after for its ability to handle high traffic, making it perfect at sports fields and golf courses. If you’re installing somewhere that gets above average foot traffic, bermudagrass may be a good choice for you.

Mowing

Because bitter blue grows slower, you won’t need to mow quite as often. If you want a no fuss, easy to maintain lawn with minimal mowing, this may be something to consider

Watering

Both bermudagrass and bitter blue sod varieties can handle droughts well, so this isn’t a huge consideration when comparing them. Bitter blue’s slower growth may need a slight bit more water during times with less rain.

Foot traffic

Bermudagrass and bitter blue are both able to take foot traffic, but bermudagrass is well known for its ability to handle a lot of foot traffic and recover quickly.

Conclusion

Bermudagrass and bitter blue are both excellent warm weather grasses that do well in south west Florida. While bermudagrass can handle the sun and high traffic best, bitter blue is loved for its dark color and ability to handle the shade.

We hope this article helps you understand the differences between these sod types and helps you make the best decision for your lawn or work site.

Whether you live in Labelle, Dunedin, Fort Myers, or Odessa, call us at (816) 852-3862 to learn more about the sod varieties we offer at Smart Sod.