With so many options available, how do you choose the right grass for your lawn? Consider the lawn’s local climate, soil type, traffic tolerance, sun exposure, and your preferred aesthetic and level of maintenance.
For instance, grasses like St. Augustine thrive in salty coastal regions, while buffalograss thrives in lawns with lots of sun. In addition, some grass types are more susceptible to lawn diseases and certain pests. We’ll provide you with all the information you need to help you select the right grass for your lawn and achieve the outdoor aesthetic you want.
1. Local Climate
When selecting the perfect turfgrass for your lawn, you first need to consider the climate of where you live. Certain grasses thrive better in colder climates while others do well in warm climates. These grass types are called cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses.
Cool-season grasses prefer areas where temperatures are cool most of the year, such as the northern United States. These grasses flourish in regions with mild summers and long winters.
Warm-season grasses prefer areas where temperatures are warm most of the year, such as the southern United States. These grasses thrive in regions with long summers and mild winters.
Wedged between the northern and southern states is the transition zone. Here, summers can be scorching hot and winters can be freezing cold. There’s no one perfect grass type for this region; both warm and cool season grasses grow here, and it’s best to consider other factors that specifically affect your lawn.
Wherever you live, we’ve got grass guidance for you.
- Guide to Growing Warm-Season Grasses
- Guide to Growing Cool-Season Grasses
- Guide to Growing Grass in the Transition Zone
2. Local Rainfall
It’s also important to consider local rainfall averages. Remember, grass type does not predict whether the grass is drought tolerant. Both warm and cool-season grasses can have high or low drought tolerance.
For instance, both fine fescue and perennial ryegrass are cool-season grasses. However, fine fescue has moderate to high drought tolerance, whereas perennial ryegrass has low drought tolerance.
Some warm-season grasses, like carpetgrass, also have low drought tolerance. However, many others such as blue grama and centipedegrass have moderate or high drought tolerance.
Be sure to seek out a medium to high drought-tolerant grass if drought is common in your region, regardless of temperatures.
3. Your Soil Has a Say in Grass Selection
Your soil can impact what grass varieties you can grow on your lawn. Soils have various levels of fertility, pH, and salinity. For example, lawns near the Gulf Coast tend to be saltier due to their proximity to the ocean. Grasses like St. Augustine with high salt tolerance thrive in coastal regions like this.
Your soil can also come in a variety of textures that only some grass types will be well suited to. There are six basic types of soil.
- Sandy soil
- Silty soil
- Clay soil
- Loamy soil
- Peat soil
- Chalky soil
Learn more about soil types by checking out our article Guide to Soil Types: Pros, Cons, and Plant Suggestions. You can conduct a soil test to determine your soil type, pH, and more.
4. The Perfect Grass for Sun or Shade
When choosing the right type of grass for your yard, it’s crucial to consider the lighting conditions. If your yard has many large trees that create shade, you’ll need a grass variety that can tolerate shade such as fine fescue.
On the other hand, if your yard receives plenty of sunlight, consider growing grasses that thrive in full sun, such as buffalograss.
5. Turfgrass Resistance to Foot Traffic
We’ve gone over grasses and their ability to withstand certain temperatures and soil conditions. But there are other conditions lawns may need to withstand, such as high foot traffic and pet activity.
Grasses like bermudagrass, which are often used in sports fields, have a great tolerance for foot traffic and heal quickly from damage. Look for grass types with medium to high foot traffic tolerance if your lawn receives plenty of activity.
6. Your Lawn’s Potential for Disease and Pests
Photo Credit: NC State Cooperative Extension
Some grasses are more susceptible to pests and diseases than others. Grasses like creeping bentgrass have a high disease potential but proper maintenance can help prevent disease. Some grasses have lower disease potential overall, but there is always a chance your lawn may get a lawn disease.
Grasses can be susceptible to certain pests, such as St. Augustinegrass and chinch bugs. In these cases, it’s important to monitor for pest activity and take preventive measures, as certain lawn care mistakes can raise the risk of lawn disease and the presence of pests.
When picking the right grass for your yard, make a note of common pests or disease problems with this grass type to help you care for your lawn in the future.
What’s that brown spot on your lawn? We’ve got the answer in our guide Common Lawn Diseases and How to Identify Them.
7. Lawn Maintenance Requirements
A properly maintained lawn is less likely to be harmed by pests or diseases and tends to be more resilient. Keeping up with proper lawn maintenance will keep your lawn healthy and strong. However, the maintenance needs of turfgrasses can vary widely.
High-maintenance grasses may require more frequent mowing, watering, and fertilizing than other grasses. This amount of maintenance is also more costly. On the other hand, low-maintenance grasses thrive when you let them be and give them regular but infrequent maintenance.
For example, fine fescue is considered low maintenance due to its low fertilizer and mowing requirements. On the other hand, Kentucky bluegrass has much higher fertilizer requirements and is considered a high-maintenance grass.
If you’re willing to put in the work with high-maintenance grass, you can be rewarded with a uniquely beautiful lawn. However, there are also great-looking grasses that won’t break the bank or your back.
Think you want to forgo grass altogether? Check out our guide 7 Grass Alternatives For A Low-Maintenance Lawn.
8. Lawn Aesthetic
Another thing to consider when selecting the right grass for your lawn is the appearance you want your lawn to have. Grass comes in many shades of green and many different textures.
For instance, blue grama grass has a grayish-green color, while centipedegrass is apple-green. Similarly, St. Augustinegrass is well-known for its rich blue-green color.
Soft lawns typically have grasses such as fine fescue, which have thinner leaf blades. On the other hand, coarse lawns have thicker leaf blades that are farther apart, such as tall fescue. Zoysiagrass is a popular choice for creating “barefoot lawns” due to its softer texture and dense carpet-like growth.
When selecting the perfect grass, think about how you want your lawn to feel underfoot and if you’d prefer a light, dark, or blue-green lawn.
Want a resilient lawn that looks great and promotes biodiversity? Check out our guide Native Grasses: Are They Right for Your Lawn?
FAQ About Choosing the Right Grass
What is the fastest-growing grass?
The fastest-growing warm-season grasses are bermudagrass, centipedegrass, and buffalograss. The fastest-growing cool-season grasses are ryegrass, rough bluegrass, and tall fescue.
Which grass type stays green all year?
While no grass type is perfect, fescue grasses are known for their ability to adapt to different conditions. Fescues are cool-season grasses but are drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant. This ability to adapt makes them a popular grass in the transition zone.
When is the best time to plant grass seed?
Typically, you should plant grass seed during your lawn’s active growing season. For cool-season grasses, this is in early fall. For warm-season grasses, this is between late spring and early summer.
Hire a Pro to Mow Your Lawn
When you’ve selected the right grass for your lawn, it’s time to care for it to keep it looking great and prevent pests and lawn diseases. Hire a local lawn care professional to ensure that your perfectly chosen grass stays perfectly maintained. That way, you can enjoy cookouts, and family gatherings, or relax in your lawn chair, looking out at your yard with pride.
Main Photo Credit: agneskantaruk / Adobe Stock Free / License
