Best Lawn Mowers for St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine Grass is one of the most attractive forms of specialty grass that improves the aesthetics of your lawn. And they require specialized maintenance to remain in good shape.

If you are in the market for a versatile and efficient and sturdy mower for your St. Augustine grass then you are going to love our recommendations.

We’ve spent 9 hours reading through experts and real customer reviews. In this article, we share the best lawn mowers for St. Augustine grass available on the market. 

We rated these products using the following metrics: unique features, ease of use, pros, and cons.

In a hurry? Check our top three recommendations.

Best Lawn Mowers for St. Augustine Grass-Top 3 Picks

1. Craftsman Z525 Zero Turn Gas Powered Lawn Mower, MO80L410

The Craftsman Z525 zero turn mower comes with one of the best cutting blades which makes it perfect for St. Augustine grass. 

It has a 50-inch cutting deck that can cut grass with ease. The zero-turn mower is ideal for medium and large-sized yards.

Design

The Craftsman Z525 zero-turn mower comes with suited ergonomic features such as a high back seat for support and greater comfort. In addition, it reduces fatigue and stress while mowing. 

The gas-powered mower is equipped with wheels to ensure smooth maneuverability on lawns.  It has a robust and long-lasting steel frame for improved mowing performance. The open deck gives easy access to the foot brake and levers. 

The Z525’s gasoline tank can cover up to 3.5 gallons. The dual hydrostatic transmission provides enough support while using the lawnmower. 

The engine runs on a powerful 24 HP Kohler twin-cylinder engine. This is strong enough to cut the deep-rooted and broad-leafed St. Augustine grass. 

Cutting Power & Performance

The riding mower has a 50-inch cutting deck that drives the blades to perform well on St. Augustine grass. It has nine cutting adjustments which range from 1.25- 3.75 inches.

Accessories

The riding zero-turn mower has a mulching kit that helps to recycle the grass clippings as you mow. It spreads them back with each pass. 

Special Features

The gas-powered zero-turn mower has a zero-turning radius for easy directional changes. The auto-choke feature enhances an easy start. Hence, you do not need a choke to start the engine.

2. Craftsman M215 High-Wheeled FWD Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Craftsman M215 is a versatile and efficient gas mower suitable for small to medium-sized yards. It can mulch, bag or discharge via the 3-in-1 option.

Design

The Craftsman M215 mower is popular for its high-grade quality build-up which enhances its durability and longevity. It has a dust control system that reduces the pollen and dust that comes from the bag while in use. 

The wheels provide easy mobility on even and uneven surfaces. The automatic choke system makes it easy to start.

It runs on a powerful and reliable 159cc OHV engine for smooth and efficient mowing. This mower allows for a quick and easy cutting of St. Augustine grass.

Cutting Power & Performance

The self-propelled mower is equipped with a 21-inch cutting deck which enhances effective mowing. The cutting blades are sharp enough to ensure precision cutting on your lawn. These cut quality and precision make it one of the best lawn mowers for thick grasses.

Its cutting options range from 1.25-3.75 inches and can be adjusted via the dual adjustment lever. The Craftsman 215 self-propelled mower is perfect for small to medium-sized yards and operates efficiently on uneven terrain.

Special Features

The Craftsman M215 can mulch, bag or discharge via the 3-in-1 option. The mulching feature restores nutrients to the soil while the bagger collects grass for easy disposal.

Read full Craftsman M215 Review

3. Greenworks 40V MO40B411: Best Electric Lawn Mower for St Augustine Grass

The Greenworks 40v is a top-rated electric lawn mowing machine perfect for small to medium-sized grass lawns. It performs well on St. Augustine grass and can bag or mulch through the 2-in-1 option.

Design

The Greenworks MO40B411 is equipped with 7-inch front and 8-inch rear wheels for smooth and easy maneuverability on any terrain. 

The 17-inch cutting deck provides an efficient and quick mowing job. It has collapsible handles for easy storage. It comes with an auto-choke feature for an easy start.

The push mower runs on a universal 40V battery system which offers top performance with ample running time for your yard work.  The cordless mower comes with standard safety hand controls for improved safety.

Cutting Power & Performance 

The cordless push lawn mower is powered by 4 AH Lithium batteries to mow up to 1/3 acre at a go. It comes with a cutting deck that can be adjusted to five different height positions. Its cutting options range from 1-¼ – 3-3/8 inches for nice cut quality. 

The Greenworks MO40B411 mower can cut dense grass within 45 minutes on a single charge. It has a blade speed of 2800-3200 rpm which is powerful enough to cut grass effectively.

Special Features

The Greenworks MO40B411 has mulching and bagging capabilities. The mulching feature helps to restore nitrogen to the soil while the rear bag keeps the lawn free from grass clippings for easy disposal.

4. Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower: Best Reel Mower for St Augustine

The Fiskars 362050-1001 reel mower is a versatile and durable mowing machine ideal for your small yard. It operates efficiently on tough grasses, especially Bermuda, St. Augustine, Bahia grass.

Design

The Fiskars 362050-1001 comes with the InertiaDrive reel which is perfect for different varieties of grass. It delivers effective mowing of weeds, twigs and tough spots that might be difficult for several mowers. This will enhance a smooth and nice cut.  

The handle also provides superior comfort and ultimate control. The rotary mower is backed by a three-year warranty.

The exclusive StaySharp Cutting System eliminates the need for annual sharpening. In addition, the inset wheel design eliminates uncut strips and edges. 

The reel lawn mower has a reversible grass chute that directs clippings to the front and away from your feet. You have to manually push it for the blades to spin. It has a low-level noise emission. 

Cutting Power & Performance

The reel mower has an 18-inch cutting deck that can mow your small yard within 30-40 minutes.The mower blades work well on St. Augustine grass. 

Its cutting options vary from 1-4 inches and can be adjusted through the single-lever height adjustment lever. This will allow you to cut your grass to a suitable height with less hassle. 

Accessories

The reel mower supports an optional grass catcher to catch grass clippings.

Read full Fiskars 362050-1001 Review

5. Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Grey

The 7-blade reel mower helps to maintain your yard by giving it an accurate scissor-cut action. The eco-friendly yard maintenance tool keeps your lawn neat.

Design

The Earthwise 1715-16EW push reel mower has rollers to make the mower leveled. It comes with alloy steel sharp blades to provide smooth and clean cuts on your lawn. It is lightweight, weighing 26 lbs.

The push reel mower is equipped with 10-inch composite wheels for easy maneuverability on uneven terrain. The alloy steel blades are long-lasting and resistant to rust. The T-style handle is designed for comfort. You can cut the grass effortlessly.

Cutting Power & Performance

The 1715-16EW model comes with seven blades that are capable of cutting St. Augustine grass. It has a 16-inch cutting deck for efficient mowing. 

The cutting height can be adjusted from 0.5-2.5 inches to suit your desired grass height. It can mow at a single pass. The push reel lawn mower is perfect for small and medium-sized grass lawns. 

6. Greenworks 10A Corded 14-Inch Dethatcher

The Greenworks 27022 is a versatile and durable mowing machine with a dethatching kit to clear debris, roots, and clips.

Design

The Greenworks 27022 dethatcher comes with a padded grip and adjustable handle for ultimate comfort. The 14-inch dethatching patch enhances easy and fast yard work. The equipment has a stainless-steel construction to showcase its durability.

It comes with a 3-position tine depth adjustment feature which provides better control. It has 18 built-in tines for a top-notch performance. This built-in motor is environmentally friendly.

The Greenworks 27022 is equipped with a bale switch for added convenience. The power button helps to prevent accidental starting. It has a cord restraint system to keep the cord running freely. 

It comes with wheels to enhance easy mobility on the lawn. The push button enables you to turn the dethatcher on or off. 

Cutting Power & Performance

It has a 14-inch dethatching path that can clean your lawn in a single run. The Greenworks dethatcher comes with a 10-ampere motor which ensures a smooth cut on small and medium-sized lawns. It operates efficiently on St.Augustine grass.

7. Greenworks 16-Inch 10 Amp Corded Lawn Mower, 25142

Design

The Greenworks 25142 has a 10 Amp Electric Motor which offers adequate power to mow through tough grass. 

It has a 16-inch cutting deck to enhance smooth and efficient mowing. The 7-inch rear wheels and 6-inch front wheels enhance a smooth ride in your garden. The handlebars can be folded for easy and compact storage.

The corded electric lawnmower comes with a cord that is attached to the power button for an easy start. The cord restraint system helps to keep the plug connected. 

Cutting Power & Performance

The cutting blades can be adjusted to five different heights from 5/8-inch to 2-5/8 inches through the single lever to suit your desired grass height. The cutting deck is made of sturdy and high-quality plastic materials. The blades are sharp to cut grass on even and uneven surfaces. 

Special Features

It can mulch or bag via the 2-in-1 option. The mulching feature helps to re-cut the grass clippings into tiny pieces. This will restore nitrogen to the soil. The bagging system will help to bag the grass clippings for easy cleanup.

Read full Greenworks 25142 Review

Husqvarna 430XH- Top Robot Mower for St Augustine Grass

Design

The 430XH model has large coarse-tread wheels which provide superior traction. The LED headlights illuminate your path in low light or dark conditions. It delivers 145 minutes of mowing time on a 50-minute charge.

The rubber-made front bumper provides additional protection against repeated collisions with trees and other objects within installation. It is quiet, weatherproof, and extremely discreet.

You can easily start, stop or schedule your mowing job from any place with the 4G-powered Automower Connect App. Its brushless motors, stainless bearings, and rubber sealings provide optimal cutting results on lawns.

Cutting Power & Performance

The cutting height of the robotic lawn mower ranges from 2-3.6 inches to enable you to meet your mowing requirements. 

The 430XH can easily mow in tight spaces and its blades enhance nice cuts on any grass type. In addition, it is perfect for inclines up to twenty-four degrees.

Accessories

The automatic lawn mower supports a full line of accessories such as a terrain kit, Endurance blades, and wheel brush kit.

Final Verdict

If you are looking for an efficient, sturdy, and versatile lawn mower for St. Augustine grass, the Craftsman Z525 zero-turn mower is our top pick.

It comes with a 50-inch cutting deck which is large enough to handle large yards. The blades are sharp enough to work well on tough grass like St. Augustine grass. It has a high back seat for greater comfort while mowing and an easy starting system.

The riding lawn mower comes with a reliable and powerful 24 HP Kohler engine which enhances efficient mowing.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Lawn Mower For St. Augustine Grass

There are factors to consider before choosing an ideal mower for St. Augustine grass. Here are a few of them:

Mower Type

There are different brands of lawn mowers available on the market. Some have similar qualities but are different in terms of operations. 

Are you looking to get a reel, riding, push, robot or a self-propelled mower for your yard? Do you want a corded electric, battery-powered or gas mower? Your lawn size will also determine the type of mower you should go for.

Height Adjustments

Get a mowing machine with height adjustment options from 0.5-4 inches. 

Number of Blades

For your St. Augustine grass, it is advisable to get the ones with seven blades. They are more efficient on tough grasses.

Handle Type

Some mowing machines have a loop design to provide user comfort while others are equipped with a straight horizontal handle. It all comes down to preference most times. However, the latte-style handles are very easy to push around the lawn. 

How to Mow and Maintain St. Augustine Grass

If you want to maintain your lawn’s appearance and keep it in good shape, here are a few tips to follow:

Mowing

If you choose a self-propelled mower for St. Augustine grass, the mowing height should be between 2-4 inches. As far as you don’t have tall grass on your lawn, you can allow the clippings to remain on the lawn. 

This will save time and effort in packing it. Factors such as rainfall, sun exposure and temperature will determine the mowing level.

Insect and Disease Control

Pests and diseases won’t pose a threat to this grass if it is well-maintained. Fumigate the lawn with a liquid insecticide if you notice any brown spots on your grass.

Watering and Fertilization

It is recommended to apply less watering and fertilizing techniques. You can apply topmost manure or compost fertilization once in two months or more. Overwatering can damage its roots. It is advisable to water the grass weekly.

In addition, the main causes of a brown patch are overwatering and over-fertilizing. To avoid this, ensure proper water draining from the lawn. 

Avoid Root Rot

St. Augustine grass is a thick turf and can trap moisture. This will give rise to fungus which can result in root rot. To avoid root tot, it is recommended to mow between 1-2 inches. In addition, the use of fungicides can also avoid root rot.

Weed Control

The best way to do this is to apply weed killer for healthy and stylish grass.

Temperature Tolerance

St. Augustine grass can flourish well for up to 32 degrees Celsius. It needs a lot of sunlight. It is important to note that St. Augustine grass cannot survive harsh winters.

Types of St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is common around coastal and tropical regions that have humid air. Different varieties and cultivars of St. Augustine grass are grown in diverse regions. Some of them include:

• Palmetto Grass

Palmetto Grass is well-known due to its shade tolerance. It is usually planted in spaces such as gardens and orchids with a lot of shade.

• Raleigh Grass

This grass type is best suited for golf courses. It is drought and cold-tolerant. Raleigh Grass requires high maintenance.

• Floratam Grass

It is suitable for home and commercial spaces. The flaw of this grass type is that it does not have a good injury recovery. Floratam Grass is a good choice for landscaping. 

Frequently Asked Questions