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St Augustine vs Bitter Blue which is the best type of Florida sod

If you live in Florida and are thinking of landscaping a dull lawn you may be considering using sod grass. Sod is a great option for an instant lawn that will be beautiful for years to come.

You may be overwhelmed with the options of sod varieties that are available for the warm sunny days like in Dunedin or Labelle Florida. Here at Smart Sod we offer 5 varieties grown here in Arcadia Florida that flourish in the sun and heat. 
St Augustine Floratam and Bitter Blue are both excellent varieties that can combat the local climate. Read on for a deep dive into these two popular varieties in south west Florida.

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St Augustine Floratam Sod Grass

St. Augustine Floratam is a popular sod variety in south Florida for its ability to flourish in the high temperatures and humidity. This dense grass is easy to maintain for both homeowners and professionals. Here are some of the pros and cons of St. Augustine Floratam.

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St Augustine Floratam sod pros

  • Handles drought conditions well
  • Produces stolons
  • Highly tolerant of high temperatures and full sun
  • Keeps its color at lower temperatures
  • Grows thick and does a good job crowding out weeds
  • Can tolerate a wide range of pH levels

St Augustine Floratam sod cons

  • Only holds up to normal lawn traffic
  • Turns brown in the cooler winter months
  • Only somewhat shade tolerant
  • Spreads rapidly via stolons, or runners
  • Vulnerable to pests

Bitter Blue Sod Grass

Bitter blue is a variation of St Augustine grass and is a popular choice for homes and work sites across south Florida. It is well prepared for the warm areas and is loved for its dark blue green color and ability to handle sun and shade

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Bitter blue sod pros

  • Beautiful blue green color
  • Does well in shady areas
  • Holds its color well in droughts
  • Establishes quickly
  • Slower growth means less mowing

Bitter blue sod cons

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