- 1. Centipedegrass<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Zoysiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- How to Choose the Best Grass for Your Greenville Lawn<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Two categories of grass are prevalent in South Carolina: cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses. The best grass types for Greenville, South Carolina, cover both categories.<\/p>
1. Centipedegrass<\/h2>
![\"centipede](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Centipede_Grass.jpg\")
Centipedegrass
Photo Credit: James Becwar<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Centipedegrass is one of the most popular grass types in South Carolina. It is an excellent choice for homeowners seeking thick, healthy-looking lawns that require minimal mowing and fertilizing<\/a>. It grows slowly and prefers full sun, but it can handle moderate shade. <\/p>
Often called \u201clazy man\u2019s grass,\u201d centipedegrass only produces above-ground runners and can, therefore, be easily controlled near flower beds and other structures. This eliminates the need for herbicide or constant weeding in these areas. The color is sometimes described as \u201capple green.\u201d<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons<\/li>
- Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Needs at least six hours of full sun but will tolerate moderate shade<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Low to moderate<\/li>
- Traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Poor<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Low fertilization requirements (0-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year); water only when it shows signs of drought stress (wilting, footprints on the lawn)<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 1 \u00bd to 2 inches<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Acidic<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds<\/a> (1 lb.)
\u2013 Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass<\/a> (3.75 lbs.)
\u2013 TifBlair Centipedegrass<\/a> (5-lb. bag)
\u2013 Pennington Centipedegrass and Mulch<\/a> (5-lb. bag)<\/p>2. Bermudagrass<\/h2>
![\"green](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_pexels-rovenimagescom-949584.jpg\")
Bermudagrass
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Another warm-season grass, Bermudagrass<\/a> grows rapidly, producing a nice-looking lawn in less than a year. This drought-tolerant grass also tolerates salt spray and foot traffic well and can grow in any sunny location. Bermuda does not tolerate shade well and requires frequent fertilizing and mowing to stay lush.<\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low, needs full sun<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> High<\/li>
- Traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> High, especially for hybrid cultivars. Bermuda requires you to mow, fertilize, and dethatch regularly. Plan to aerate if you have compacted or heavy clay soil.<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> \u00be to 1 \u00bd inches (depending on the cultivar)<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Bermudagrass adapts to a wide range of soil types.<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options:
\u2013 <\/strong>Pennington Bermudagrass Bare Spot<\/a> (5 lb. bag)
\u2013 Pennington Smart Seed Bermudagrass Mix<\/a> (8.75-lb. bag)
\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass<\/a> (10-lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/p>3. Tall Fescue<\/h2>
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/3863142192_ab8342d487_k-1.jpg\")
Tall Fescue
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Tall fescue is one of the most popular cool-season grasses<\/a> in the northern Piedmont and mountain regions, as it stays green during the winter and is easy to overseed or establish from seed. Most new tall fescues (\u201cturf-type\u201d) are designed for lawns, offering a dark green color, thick blades, and moderate shade tolerance. <\/p>
It\u2019s best to overseed with other grass types when planting tall fescue, as it can thin considerably and become quite clumpy after summer dry spells. You may find that you need to reseed this grass type often to have a consistently attractive lawn.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Needs at least 4 hours of sun per day<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Fair to good, overseed if wear occurs<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Mow often, especially during spring and fall (see “Fall Lawn Care Tips for Greenville, SC<\/a>\u201d). Low to moderate fertilization needs.<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 2\u00bd to 3\u00bd inches<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Any, but grows best on well-drained soil<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend<\/a> (5000 sq ft)
\u2013 Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix<\/a> (7 lb.)<\/p>4. Zoysiagrass<\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_1280px-starr-070906-8519-zoysia_sp-turf-kula_ace_hardware_and_nursery-maui_24264641643.jpg\")
Zoysiagrass
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0 US<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Zoysiagrass grows well (although slowly) and stands up to traffic, making it a good choice for golf courses, athletic fields, and parks, as well as your lawn. As a warm-season grass, Zoysia<\/a> produces a dense, green mat that grows best in spring, summer, and early fall. While it goes dormant during the winter, it has good cold tolerance. <\/p>
If cared for as a high-maintenance grass, Zoysia requires 3-5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. When properly fertilized<\/a>, it needs weekly mowing to look its best. <\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate to high<\/li>
- Traffic tolerance<\/strong>: High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Weekly mowing, moderate fertilization, dethatching<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 1-2 inches<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Adapts to a wide range of soils<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Plug and Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Large Grass Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(100 Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Emerald Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)
\u2013 Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/p>How to Choose the Best Grass for Your Greenville Lawn<\/strong><\/h2>
In your quest for the perfect lawn, you may be tempted to dig up your existing turf and start from scratch. But you don\u2019t have to go that far: You can develop a beautiful yard by gradually overseeding and reseeding sections of your lawn with one of these Greenville-ready grass types. <\/p>
So, which grass type<\/a> should you choose? Answer a few questions to discover the best grass type for your lawn and lifestyle.<\/p>
What Kind of Lawn Do You Want?<\/h3>
- Do you have children or pets (or both)? Do you host impromptu touch-football games on your lawn? Your best choices would be Bermudagrass <\/strong>or Zoysiagrass<\/strong>, which stand up to wear and tear. Both are used for athletic fields, so they can stand up to your team.
<\/li>- Does your lawn see little foot traffic, save for mowing? Or are you somewhere in the middle? Tall fescue<\/strong> grass may work best for you. Centipede<\/a> is a possibility if your lawn sees next-to-no footprints, but it has a poor tolerance for traffic overall.<\/li> <\/ul>
What\u2019s Your Maintenance Style?<\/h3>
- Do you look forward to yardwork? Then Bermudagrass<\/strong> is your choice. This high-maintenance grass will need to be mowed at least twice a week and could require frequent fertilizing.
<\/li>- Is yardwork usually last on your to-do list? Consider centipede. <\/strong>This low-maintenance grass produces a good-looking lawn and needs little mowing or fertilizing.<\/li> <\/ul>
How Much Sun Does Your Yard Get?<\/h3>
- Does your yard face south with lots of sun? Bermuda <\/strong>and centipede <\/strong>are good choices. But if your yard faces north or has some shade, then Zoysia <\/strong>and tall fescue<\/a> will grow well.<\/li> <\/ul>
When to Call in the Pros<\/h2>
If you don\u2019t have time to choose a grass for your Upstate South Carolina yard, or you\u2019d prefer that someone else handle the yardwork, consider calling a local lawn care professional<\/a>. A local pro can help you choose the best grass for your yard and keep it in top shape. <\/p>
- Is yardwork usually last on your to-do list? Consider centipede. <\/strong>This low-maintenance grass produces a good-looking lawn and needs little mowing or fertilizing.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Does your lawn see little foot traffic, save for mowing? Or are you somewhere in the middle? Tall fescue<\/strong> grass may work best for you. Centipede<\/a> is a possibility if your lawn sees next-to-no footprints, but it has a poor tolerance for traffic overall.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons<\/li>
- 2. Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>