ProVista St. Augustine Grass

A Different Approach to Lawn Care

ProVista is unlike any other St. Augustine variety on the market. Developed by Scotts Miracle-Gro, it is the first St. Augustine grass bred with tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and similar herbicides. This means you can spray glyphosate directly on a ProVista lawn to kill weeds — broadleaf weeds, sedges, and even other grasses — without harming the turf itself.

Beyond its herbicide tolerance, ProVista grows noticeably slower than standard Floratam. This slower growth rate translates directly into less frequent mowing, which is a significant time and cost savings over the life of the lawn. For homeowners who find weekly mowing burdensome, ProVista offers a real reduction in maintenance labor.

Characteristics

• Blade width: Medium-textured, similar to Floratam but with a darker color
• Color: Darker green than Floratam, maintaining rich color through the growing season
• Growth habit: Slower vertical and lateral growth compared to Floratam — approximately 30% less growth
• Sun requirement: 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day — slightly better shade tolerance than Floratam
• Heat tolerance: Excellent — bred for the Florida climate
• Cold tolerance: Comparable to Floratam — suitable for Jacksonville's USDA Zone 9a
• Shade tolerance: Better than Floratam, though Palmetto still outperforms it in heavy shade
• Drought tolerance: Good — slower growth rate reduces water demand during dry periods

Best Uses in Jacksonville

ProVista is best suited for homeowners who place a high value on low maintenance and clean weed control. Here are the scenarios where ProVista makes the most sense.

• Homeowners tired of mowing: ProVista's 30% slower growth rate means fewer mowings per month during the growing season. Over a full year, this can eliminate 10 to 15 mowing sessions.
• Properties with persistent weed problems: If your yard has recurring weed infestations that are difficult to control with St. Augustine-safe herbicides, ProVista's glyphosate tolerance provides a straightforward solution.
• Yards with mixed sun and moderate shade: ProVista handles partial shade better than Floratam, making it a good single-variety choice for properties with 5 to 8 hours of sun.
• Homeowners who hire lawn service: The reduced mowing frequency can lower annual lawn care costs, and the simplified weed control reduces the need for expensive specialty herbicides.

Important Considerations

ProVista is a premium product and comes with considerations that do not apply to other St. Augustine varieties.

• Higher cost: ProVista typically costs more per pallet than Floratam, Palmetto, or CitraBlue. The premium reflects its proprietary breeding and unique glyphosate tolerance.
• Slower establishment: Because ProVista grows slower, it takes longer to fill in gaps and establish a fully dense lawn after installation. Patience during the first growing season is important.
• Glyphosate application rates: While ProVista tolerates glyphosate, it must be applied at the correct labeled rates. Over-application can still stress or damage the grass. Always follow product label directions.
• Availability: ProVista is not carried by all sod farms. Availability in the Jacksonville market may vary, and advance ordering is sometimes necessary.

Maintenance Requirements

• Mowing height: 3.5 to 4 inches. Maintain proper height even though ProVista grows slower — the mowing height standard remains the same as other St. Augustine varieties.
• Mowing frequency: Every 10 to 14 days during peak growing season (compared to weekly for Floratam). During cooler months, mowing may only be needed every 3 to 4 weeks.
• Watering: 0.75 to 1 inch per week during the growing season. ProVista's slower growth rate means slightly lower water demand than Floratam.
• Fertilizing: 2 to 3 applications per year. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen will increase growth rate and negate some of ProVista's low-maintenance advantage.
• Weed control: Apply glyphosate as a spot treatment or broadcast application at labeled rates when weeds appear. This replaces the need for multiple specialty herbicide products used on conventional St. Augustine lawns.