"James" wrote in message
. ..
My college age son has rented a house in Gainesville, Florida, and attends
the University of Florida. In his small front yard, there is mostly
weeds.
But, he would like to throw out some grass seeds. Which do you think
would
be best in central Florida, bahia or bermuda grass?

Thanks for any tips.

James

Have your son go to the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program, which is
based right there at U of F, and they will provide advice on how to start
and maintain a yard -- or go to the FY&N website, where you can also
download their handbook for environmentally friendly homeowner gardening.

Actually, it's almost too late in the year to start a Bahia lawn, which will
go dormant in cold weather. The best lawn would be with Floratam, Palmetto
or other variant of St. Augustine grass, but you'd have to go with sod or
plugs -- there's no seed for these grasses. Perhaps he could strike a deal
with the landlord, offering to clean up the weeds and lay the sod if the
landlord will buy the materials. Since it's a small yard, neither the work
nor the expense should be too difficult.