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macmike

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 

Questions for anyone familiar with Zone 8. Way back 20 years ago when we moved to Zone 5 we had a real education. Couldn’t plant as early as we were able to in Zone 7 we had moved from. Now that we have moved to Zone 8 getting an education, plus trying to get acclimated to the heat. Hi! Now here is what I need to know. What is the latest in Zone 8 to start grass seed? What is the best grass to plant in Zone 8. I have planted some Centipede as per advice of a local I met at Home Depot. I was wondering am I better off with Centipede or should I look at planting Zoysia?  I realize Zoysia browns down when it gets cold, but I have seen all grass to do that some. Also where does Bermuda grass rate on the list now? In Zone 7 as I remember in the day that is what we planted. Any ideas from those of you in Zone 8 appreciated. I bought what my wife refers to as a “water tractor” to water with. I will water and move at the same time, two speeds low, puts down they say 1/3 inch of water and the high speed puts down 1 inch of water. What do you find to be the best for watering? I have a rectangle yard and my back and forth sprinkler didn’t cover the whole yard.  I might over think this I guess I can blame it on my Electrical Engineering training.

As always any help ideas, thoughts appreciated. Private message me if you like.
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Mike Hughes, D.Min., Th.D. - Minister  Springhill church of Christ 902 Janice Dr. Springhill, LA. 71085
Rooting: LSU Hollier, Kadota, LSU SY, MB VS, EBT, Ronde de Bordeaux, Emerald Strawberry, LSU Purple, Mission, JH Adriatic, Strawberry Verte,  Osborn, chicago Hardy
Wish list: LSU Red, Adriatic JH,
Zone 8
Ebay ID: Macmik12 member of Ebay since 2000 Web: http://www.mikealrhughes.com E-mail: mail@mikealrhughes.com http://www.gardenweb.com/members/macmikeal
figpig_66

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
I am in Louisiana zone 8.
ST.AUGUSTIN IS THE GO TO GRASS IN a warm climate. ( zone ) after mowing your grass its still very thick and soft. Crowds out weeds. Its the go to grass of the south
Plant in late fall.
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RICHIE BONI
HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID
WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity
Wish list. Col de dame blanc
Col de rimada
Lsu numbered figs
macmike

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
That one I haven't found. I was torn between Bermuda. Zoysia and Centipede. Bermuda was the cheaper and Cntipede was in the middle. The Home Depot guy suggested Centipede. I don't know what is in the yard. Most of it is dead. This house has set empty for two years no watering so trying to get the front yard going. I am in Springhill. I might see if I can get some St. Augustine some time.

Thanks

Mike Hughes, Preacher
Springhill Church of Christ
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Mike Hughes, D.Min., Th.D. - Minister  Springhill church of Christ 902 Janice Dr. Springhill, LA. 71085
Rooting: LSU Hollier, Kadota, LSU SY, MB VS, EBT, Ronde de Bordeaux, Emerald Strawberry, LSU Purple, Mission, JH Adriatic, Strawberry Verte,  Osborn, chicago Hardy
Wish list: LSU Red, Adriatic JH,
Zone 8
Ebay ID: Macmik12 member of Ebay since 2000 Web: http://www.mikealrhughes.com E-mail: mail@mikealrhughes.com http://www.gardenweb.com/members/macmikeal
snaglpus

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Down south, we have long hot blistering days of sun and heat in the summer.   Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede do great here.  BUT you have to understand something about grass.  Some need more direct sun than others.  Down here, bermuda grass will not grow well in the shade at all; but Fescue will.  The problem with fescue is it has to be watered or it will brown up and die fast.  I have mostly bermuda grass on my lawn and under my shade trees I have fescue.

Here's a tip I learned over the years doing my lawn and hiring someone to service my lawn.  Make sure you know EXACTly what they are putting on your yard and when.  Here's why?  My mother-in-law got taken for 2 years because this guy kept coming to her house redoing her lawn.  She said grass seed doesn't grow on her lawn.  She had her lawn poked and seeded and fertilized for months and nothing.  Every summer the grass would look nice but in the Fall it would look bad.  When I asked her what kind of seed did they put down, she did not know.  I asked the service team and they did not want to tell me.  After I pushed, they told me it was Rye grass seed.  Rye seed is a Fall seed and only grows in a cool climate.  So, if you plan on cutting grass in winter, then throw out some rye seed and your lawn will be pretty with fresh green grass.  But come Spring, it will die off again.  

Today, my mother-in-law has a new lawn guy and her lawns looks amazing with fescue grass.  She learned the hard way!
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Dennis
Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a 
barnhardt9999

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
The great thing about Charlotte is you just have to mow the lawn and it is always green. The problems start when you take the job of 100 different plants and try to replace it with a single grass. March and October are the best when you get an emerald colored carpet of white clover.
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8a
pitangadiego

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Take out the grass and plant figs trees. ;-)))
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K6MZMarion

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Plant native grasses (and fig trees)

FYI - Check out this link:

https://ui.uncc.edu/story/native-grasses-nc

Marion
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Marion
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Zone 6B

Wishlist : Any cold-hardy fig, Marseilles Black VS.
macmike

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
The figs would be great. I want to put some along the fence at the back. Just need some cuttings or plants of some sweet variety. I would love to find the LSU Champaign and JH Adriatic vatieties. Was interested in the LSU Gold until I heard it has open eye and attracts wasps.

Mike
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Mike Hughes, D.Min., Th.D. - Minister  Springhill church of Christ 902 Janice Dr. Springhill, LA. 71085
Rooting: LSU Hollier, Kadota, LSU SY, MB VS, EBT, Ronde de Bordeaux, Emerald Strawberry, LSU Purple, Mission, JH Adriatic, Strawberry Verte,  Osborn, chicago Hardy
Wish list: LSU Red, Adriatic JH,
Zone 8
Ebay ID: Macmik12 member of Ebay since 2000 Web: http://www.mikealrhughes.com E-mail: mail@mikealrhughes.com http://www.gardenweb.com/members/macmikeal
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