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TifGrand vs. TifTuf

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22K views 40 replies 20 participants last post by  smurg  
#1 ·
First post here- joined just for this reason:

I had shade issues a few years ago (I've since removed trees), and in 2012 I replaced a portion of my back yard 419 with TifGrand. It's absolutely gorgeous. Deep green, greens sooner and holds color longer than 419, and so dense you can't put your finger thru it to touch dirt. It recovers well from any damage, and has resisted the bad case of spring dead spot that my 419 had for several years. If I chose, I could mow it less often than the rest of the lawn, because it doesn't grow as much vertically.

So now I'm getting quotes to redo the whole front yard and finish the backyard. The company I'd like to use, though, says his suppliers no longer carry TifGrand, and he doesn't want to risk using an unknown supplier. He's recommending TifTuf or Zeon. I have no interest in Zoysia. I know TifTuff is supposed to be the latest/greatest, but to me it looks like 419, maybe even lighter in color. I know it's drought tolerant, but don't care much about that, because I irrigate. So what are the thoughts from those that know much about TT- am I missing something? Should I consider it? Oh, and I am considering it for the front only- I'm not going to mix it with the grand in back. I'll have to do that myself, or find someone else. And because we have roadside trees in the neighborhood, there are still shade issues there in the front with a maple that's now up to 25'. Thanks for any thoughts you can share.

fwiw: Metro Atl, TrueCut reel mower, irrigated, scheduled lawn service treatment, mow ~4-5 day intervals, starting 1/2", up to 1.5" or so (highest setting) end of season.
 
M
#3 ·
Get a different supplier. If you're at the HOC where your tifgrand looks good, stick with tifgrand. Note, I have Tiftuf and strongly considered tifgrand but wasn't going to be at the ideal HOC for that cultivar. Tiftuf gets weird with PGR and some other herbicides. I'm happy with it, but if you can stick with tifgrand, do so.
 
A
#4 ·
Movingshrub said:
Get a different supplier. If you're at the HOC where your tifgrand looks good, stick with tifgrand. Note, I have Tiftuf and strongly considered tifgrand but wasn't going to be at the ideal HOC for that cultivar. Tiftuf gets weird with PGR and some other herbicides. I'm happy with it, but if you can stick with tifgrand, do so.
Click to expand...
what problems have you been having with pgr on the tiftuf?

I also agree, tiftuf has a much light color
 
#5 ·
NGTurf is where i'd buy sod from - unless you're talking 1 pallet, they'll ship. THey grow ...not a middleman. They only do squares, not rolls (which suck). look them up on twitter etc.

i can't offer a compelling reason for TifTuff for your situation...or you could do celebration for the experience ;)
 
#6 ·
I plugged in some Tiftuf to my Zeon in some dead areas. This stuff really is tough. It matches really well by blade size and color. I'm going to let it take over if that's what it wants to do with it's life.

I put the rest down along my neighbors sidewalk that was bare dirt. And in a little over two weeks after sitting rolled up for like 6 days, it's almost fully green and actively growing.
 
#7 ·
I would stick with TIfGrand as you are already familiar with it and you already love the grass. I think having a mono-stand is better than having 2 different cultivars to deal with.

Just FYI, If I ever redo my lawn, TifGrand would be at the very top of the list.
 
F
#8 ·
Movingshrub said:
Get a different supplier. If you're at the HOC where your tifgrand looks good, stick with tifgrand. Note, I have Tiftuf and strongly considered tifgrand but wasn't going to be at the ideal HOC for that cultivar. Tiftuf gets weird with PGR and some other herbicides. I'm happy with it, but if you can stick with tifgrand, do so.
Click to expand...
What gets weird when using PGR on TifTuf?

My yard was recently redone, and I wanted TifGrand. It wasn't available and was told similar thing as the OP. Something wrong with it, bad or not worth selling at this point of the year. I went with TifTuf and I'm pretty happy so far. It's a nice turf, can't wait to level and get it down short.
 
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#9 ·
jayhawk said:
NGTurf is where i'd buy sod from - unless you're talking 1 pallet, they'll ship. THey grow ...not a middleman. They only do squares, not rolls (which suck). look them up on twitter etc.

i can't offer a compelling reason for TifTuff for your situation...or you could do celebration for the experience ;)
Click to expand...
If your are metro ATL, NG isn't growing TifGrand locally. I'm not far from Whitesburg HQ and they aren't growing Grand on site there.
 
M
#11 ·
Pike Creek Turf a couple hours south of you does grow Tifgrand. Having seen their fields tifgrand is my favorite and was the recommendation of one of the owners as one of the best choices for a homeowner provided you keep it under 0.5". I'll be going with tifgrand for my new house once I get a well and irrigation!
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the replies, folks. I guess I wasn't totally clear, though. I know Supersod doesn't carry TG anymore, and saw that NG does (I think they're one of the larger metro ATL suppliers). Thing is, I really want the contractor to have full responsibility for the sod and install this time. If I order myself, and it doesn't show on time, or contractor doesn't, I'm out of luck. I ordered myself last time and it was a little sketchy, but got done ok.

So I guess I'm really asking what you all might know about any issues with TT, especially in comparison to TG. I've studied a lot on TG, and have experience. But TT is so new, you can really only read about generic info - drought resistant, somewhat shade resistant, etc. ....but not in comparison to TG. So if there's experience out there with it, I'd love to hear it. Like I know that TG in shade performs better at 1/2". Is this true with TT as well? Things like that, I guess. And to get any ideas if anyone thinks it's superior to TG for any reason, or if I should just continue looking for contractors that use TG.

And hey - while I'm at it, any contractor recommendations for Buford GA area would be fantastic - especially one that will deal with NG Turf or a good TG supplier! I need about 2 1/2 pallets in front, and about 3 to complete the back.
 
M
#14 ·
Brewdawg said:
Thanks for the replies, folks. I guess I wasn't totally clear, though. I know Supersod doesn't carry TG anymore, and saw that NG does (I think they're one of the larger metro ATL suppliers). Thing is, I really want the contractor to have full responsibility for the sod and install this time. If I order myself, and it doesn't show on time, or contractor doesn't, I'm out of luck. I ordered myself last time and it was a little sketchy, but got done ok.

So I guess I'm really asking what you all might know about any issues with TT, especially in comparison to TG. I've studied a lot on TG, and have experience. But TT is so new, you can really only read about generic info - drought resistant, somewhat shade resistant, etc. ....but not in comparison to TG. So if there's experience out there with it, I'd love to hear it. Like I know that TG in shade performs better at 1/2". Is this true with TT as well? Things like that, I guess.

And hey - while I'm at it, any contractor recommendations for Buford GA area would be fantastic - especially one that will deal with NG Turf or a good TG supplier! I need about 2 1/2 pallets in front, and about 3 to complete the back.
Click to expand...
Sub 1" reel cut Tifgrand; 1"+ rotary mowed Tiftuf. Both are shade tolerant. Tiftuf grows faster, lighter color, and is better at residential HOC.
Tifgrand is a semi dwarf.
 
F
#19 ·
Good luck finding a landscape installer. It was like pulling teeth for me to get anyone on the south end of ATL to work.

Ended up getting a guy who did it all in 2 days. Including removing trees, limbing up several. Grading, grinding, 18 tons of dirt brought in, drainage dug, new landscaping and removal of old over grown stuff, and then 12 pallets of sod laid.
 
C
#21 ·
FATC1TY said:
Good luck finding a landscape installer. It was like pulling teeth for me to get anyone on the south end of ATL to work.

Ended up getting a guy who did it all in 2 days. Including removing trees, limbing up several. Grading, grinding, 18 tons of dirt brought in, drainage dug, new landscaping and removal of old over grown stuff, and then 12 pallets of sod laid.
Click to expand...
he did that in two days? how many guys in his crew.
 
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