- 1. Bermudagrass (Cynodon species)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia species)<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides)<\/a><\/li>
- 5. St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Bermudagrass (Cynodon<\/em> species)<\/h3>
![\"Bermuda](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/15467067276_2bbc0cc3e8_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Used in homes, parks, and golf courses, Bermudagrass<\/a> is one of the most common grass types throughout all of Arkansas. This grass is a lovely bright green and medium to fine in texture.<\/p>
Pros: <\/strong>Bermudagrass can handle foot traffic very well, recovers quickly from damage, has excellent heat and drought tolerance, and doesn\u2019t need much water. Despite being a warm-season grass<\/a>, it can also tolerate the cold, so it can succeed from the warmer Gulf Coastal Plain to the chillier Ozarks. <\/p>
Cons: <\/strong>Aside from having very poor shade tolerance, it\u2019s a rather aggressive and fast-growing turfgrass. Bermudagrass can invade nearby flower beds<\/a> if you\u2019re not careful. It\u2019s also a high-maintenance turf species that needs to be mowed often; hybrids definitely need a lot more attention during the summer when warm-season grasses grow vigorously.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Aggressively through stolons (above-ground stems) and rhizomes (below-ground stems)<\/li>
- Tolerances<\/strong>
- Shade: <\/strong>Low. Keep in full sun<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Foot Traffic: <\/strong>High. Recovers quickly from damage<\/li>
- Diseases and Pests: <\/strong>Good resistance to disease, but diseases are common; low resistance toward insects. Spring dead spot<\/a> is the most problematic disease<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li>
- Maintenance Needs: <\/strong>Needs frequent mowing due to fast growth rate, develops thatch easily, and needs regular fertilization<\/li>
- Mowing Height: <\/strong>\u00bd to 1 \u00bd inches for hybrid cultivars, 1 \u00bd to 2 \u00bd for common Bermudagrass<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6 to 6.5<\/li>
- Soil Type: <\/strong>Tolerates most soil types<\/li> <\/ul>
Growing Bermudagrass from seed isn\u2019t too difficult. It\u2019s better to plant hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon<\/em> x. Cynodon transvaalensis<\/em>) over common Bermudagrass, as it\u2019s hardier, finer, and has better color. Here are some Bermuda cultivars that the University of Arkansas System\u2019s Division of Agriculture (UADA)<\/a> recommends: <\/p>
- \u2018Barbados\u2019<\/li>
- \u2018Contessa\u2019<\/li>
- \u2018Riviera\u2019<\/li>
- \u2018Yukon\u2019 \u2013 this cultivar is especially suited to the colder regions of northern Arkansas<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass<\/a> (10-lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/p>2. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia <\/em>species)<\/h3>
![\"Zoysiagrass\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/zoysiagrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you want a low-maintenance alternative to Bermudagrass, then consider seeding your lawn with Zoysiagrass<\/a>. Throughout Arkansas, two species of this deep emerald warm-season grass are planted: Zoysia japonica <\/em>and Zoysia matrella<\/em>.<\/p>
Pros: <\/strong>Zoysia is a slow-growing grass, so you don\u2019t have to mow it as often as a Bermuda lawn. It\u2019s also just as hardy \u2013 or even hardier \u2013 than Bermudagrass when it comes to wear and tear, heat, drought, and cold.<\/p>
Cons: <\/strong>Like Bermudagrass, it also likes spreading into nearby landscape beds, so it needs to be edged. Although it has better cold tolerance than other warm-season grasses, Zoysia comes out of dormancy slower in spring. It\u2019s also prone to developing thatch, especially when overfertilized.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Tolerances<\/strong>
- Shade: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to High<\/li>
- Foot Traffic: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Diseases and Pests: <\/strong>Good resistance to disease, but recovers slowly<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li>
- Maintenance Needs: <\/strong>Doesn\u2019t need a lot of fertilizer; it develops thatch easily when overfertilized<\/li>
- Mowing Height: <\/strong>1 to 2 inches<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6 to 6.5<\/li>
- Soil Type: <\/strong>While some cultivars tolerate various soil types, Zoysiagrasses typically prefer well-draining soils<\/li> <\/ul>
Starting your lawn from scratch with this grass seed takes a while. Zoysia is one of the slower germinating grass types, and it can take several months before it fully establishes itself. However, you will be rewarded with a beautiful lawn that can handle a little shade.<\/p>
Some Zoysiagrass cultivars have different textures: medium-coarse, medium, and fine. You should consider the \u2018Compadre\u2019 and \u2018Zenith\u2019 cultivars if you live further north because of their excellent cold hardiness.<\/p>
Grass Plug and Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)
<\/a>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
<\/a>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)
<\/a>\u2013 Zenith Zoysia Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/p>3. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/3863142192_ab8342d487_k-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This cool-season grass<\/a> is one of the most common turf species that Arkansan homeowners seed their lawns with. However, tall fescue and other cool-season grasses are only appropriate for the portion of the state that falls in the transition zone, which begins at Little River County in the west and Crittenden County in the east, continuing north through the rest of the state. <\/p>
Pros: <\/strong>Tall fescue<\/a> is the most heat-tolerant and drought-resistant cool-season grass species out there, making it a good fit for a transition zone state like Arkansas. It\u2019s also a very winter-hardy and shade-tolerant grass, and it doesn\u2019t invade flower beds.<\/p>
Cons: <\/strong>While it can handle some heat, it\u2019s not recommended for the lower third of the state, such as the Delta and the West Gulf Plain. In the summer, tall fescue lawns demand water to grow; even then, don\u2019t expect good color or fast growth during the summer months. It also recovers slowly from damage and will need to be overseeded from time to time.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Weakly through rhizomes, grows in bunches<\/li>
- Tolerances<\/strong>
- Shade: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to high, but extended drought will really hurt it<\/li>
- Foot Traffic: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Diseases and Pests: <\/strong>Moderate, tolerant when well-maintained<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li>
- Maintenance Needs: <\/strong>Needs frequent mowing, especially in the spring; isn\u2019t prone to developing thatch; may need to be overseeded more often than other grass types<\/li>
- Mowing Height: <\/strong>2 inches, but only mow when the grass reaches 3 inches tall<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5 to 6.5<\/li>
- Soil Type: <\/strong>Tolerates a variety of soil conditions but does best in well-draining fertile clay soils<\/li> <\/ul>
If you\u2019re going to seed your lawn with tall fescue, the UADA highly recommends picking a turf-type tall fescue cultivar, or possibly even a blend of two or more varieties. Avoid the \u2018Kentucky 31\u2019 cultivar.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/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. Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"centipede](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Centipede_Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Becwar<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC0 1.0<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>This warm-season grass is the best species for low-maintenance lawns in the southern half of the Natural State, but northwestern cities like Fayetteville and Bentonville are too cold for it to thrive. Preferring sandy, acidic soils, centipedegrass<\/a> has a paler color than other grasses seeded in Arkansas. Although it grows slowly, it becomes dense and relatively weed-free.<\/p>
Pros: <\/strong>Centipedegrass is very low-maintenance, requiring less mowing than Bermuda and St. Augustinegrass. It thrives in Arkansas soils as is, rarely needing liming or complete fertilizers. It\u2019s also moderately shade-tolerant, and it\u2019s more cold-tolerant than St. Augustine.<\/p>
Cons: <\/strong>Using a fertilizer with extra nitrogen and phosphorus can kill this turfgrass species, so avoid overfertilizing it. Centipedegrass doesn\u2019t handle drought, and it also has poor wear tolerance. Avoid planting it in high-traffic areas.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Stolons<\/li>
- Tolerances<\/strong>
- Shade: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate, but goes dormant during extended drought<\/li>
- Foot Traffic: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Diseases and Pests: <\/strong>Prone to centipedegrass decline and vulnerable to pests<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li>
- Maintenance Needs: <\/strong>Medium. Overfertilization can lead to thatch build-up and lawn death.<\/li>
- Mowing Height: <\/strong>1 to 2 inches<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>5 to 6<\/li>
- Soil Type: <\/strong>Acidic, infertile, and moderately well-draining soils. Avoid very dense clay soils and soils that are too basic.<\/li> <\/ul>
Although this species is typically sodded, it also does well when seeded. The UADA recommends the \u2018TifBlair\u2019 cultivar for homeowners living in the southern half of Arkansas.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/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)<\/p>5. St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"St](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/St-Augustine-Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stickpen<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ Public Domain<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This turf species is yet another warm-season grass. St. Augustinegrass<\/a> is planted only in the southern half of the state, as it can\u2019t handle the cold winters of northern Arkansas. This grass is medium to dark green and is generally coarse in texture.<\/p>
Pros: <\/strong>St. Augustinegrass is very resistant to the heat, so it can take on Arkansas summers with ease. It isn\u2019t susceptible to weeds and is the most shade-tolerant warm-season grass out there. It also grows fast.<\/p>
Cons: <\/strong>This turfgrass doesn\u2019t handle the cold well. It also doesn\u2019t appreciate heavy foot traffic. Because it grows fast, a St. Augustinegrass yard needs more lawn maintenance.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Stolons<\/li>
- Tolerances<\/strong>
- Shade: <\/strong>Moderate. Most shade-tolerant warm-season grass<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to high, but it will need water to stay green during drought<\/li>
- Foot Traffic: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Diseases and Pests: <\/strong>Moderate to High<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li>
- Maintenance Needs: <\/strong>Needs frequent mowing due to fast growth rate; develops thatch easily; needs regular fertilization (2-6 applications from spring to fall)<\/li>
- Mowing Height: <\/strong>3 \u00bd to 4 inches<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6 to 7.5<\/li>
- Soil Type: <\/strong>Tolerates most soil types, but prefers moderately fertile, moist soil. Doesn\u2019t like compact soils.<\/li> <\/ul>
If you\u2019re looking for more cold-tolerant cultivars of St. Augustine, then consider the \u2018Raleigh\u2019, \u2018Texas common\u2019, and \u2018Seville\u2019 varieties. These can survive in Central Arkansas.<\/p>
Grass Plug Options:<\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs<\/a> (2 Trays)
\u2013 Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs<\/a> (2 Trays) <\/p>Best Grass Seed for Northwest Arkansas<\/h2>
Northwest Arkansas is home to the Ozarks. Since the northern one-half or one-third of the state has a drier and colder climate \u2013 bordering on a humid continental climate \u2013 cool-season grasses like tall fescue<\/strong> and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) <\/strong>do well here. In fact, this is the only area in the state that KBG can handle; typically, it\u2019s planted along with tall fescue (90% tall fescue seeds, 10% KBG seeds).<\/p>
The cold-tolerant Zoysiagrass <\/strong>and Bermudagrass <\/strong>can also thrive in the Ozark region despite being warm-season grasses.<\/p>
Best Grass Seed for Central Arkansas<\/h2>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to high, but it will need water to stay green during drought<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Stolons<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate, but goes dormant during extended drought<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Stolons<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to high, but extended drought will really hurt it<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Weakly through rhizomes, grows in bunches<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to High<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Spreads Through: <\/strong>Aggressively through stolons (above-ground stems) and rhizomes (below-ground stems)<\/li>
- 2. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia species)<\/a><\/li>