Types of Grass for Your Yard

Two main types of grass for turf are warm-season grass and cool-season grass.

Warm-season grasses originated in the South and they grow best in hot weather. Warm-season grass lawns will typically go dormant and turn brown in cool temperatures.

Cool-season grass thrives in northern regions and is characterized by rapid growth in the spring and fall. Cool-season grass types often turn brown during periods of high summer heat.

Following are types of grass seed.

(W) = warm season grass

(C) = cool season grass

Bahia grass can be found on some lawns from Florida through the southern Coastal Plans and the Texas Gulf Coast, where resilience in turf grass is needed.

• Drought resistance: High
• Need for water: Low
• Texture: Coarse
• Traffic level: High
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Bermuda grass fills in quickly and its aggressive growth is helpful to resist weeds. It flourishes with the full sunlight in the warmer regions of the southeastern United States.

• Drought resistance: High
• Need for water: Medium
• Texture: Fine to medium
• Traffic level: Fine to medium high
• Sun exposure: Full sun

Low-maintenance Buffalo grass is a tough turf grass found in the Great Plains from Montana to Mexico.

• Drought resistance: High
• Need for water: Low
• Texture: Fine
• Traffic level: High
• Sun exposure: Full sun

Centipede grass is popular throughout the southern United States for its slow-growing and low-maintenance traits, even in poor soil.

• Drought resistance: Medium
• Need for water: Medium
• Texture: Coarse
• Traffic level: Low
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Creeping Bentgrass provides a soft, dense, carpet-like lawn. It is commonly found on golf course putting greens and requires significant maintenance.

• Drought resistance: Low
• Need for water: High
• Texture: Fine
• Traffic level: High
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Fescue has many varieties and textures that can thrive in mild winters and warm summers.

• Drought resistance: High
• Need for water: Low
• Texture: Coarse
• Traffic level: Medium
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Kentucky bluegrass is a lush, dense and durable lawn grass. This self-spreading variety withstands cold and is resistant to disease.

• Drought resistance: Medium
• Need for water: Medium to high
• Texture: Fine to medium
• Traffic level: Medium to high
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Ryegrass is one of the grass types that is not tolerant of extreme heat or cold. It’s commonly used for overseeding a warm season lawn.

• Drought resistance: Low
• Need for water: High
• Texture: Medium to coarse
• Traffic level: Medium to high
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

St. Augustine grass is one of the grass types that grows quickly and tolerates the heat and humidity of the South. It also isn’t bothered much by salt, making it a good choice for coastal lawns.

• Drought resistance: Low to medium
• Need for water: Medium to high
• Texture: Coarse
• Traffic level: Medium
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Zoysia grass spreads by stolons and rhizomes to create a dense lawn that can handle heavy foot traffic in warmer regions.

• Drought resistance: Medium to high
• Need for water: Medium
• Texture: Fine to medium
• Traffic level: High
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

You'll want to select types of grass seed that suit your climate and your yard’s sun exposure. Also consider how much moisture your lawn will get, either from rainfall or irrigation. If you live in a dry area, look for a type of grass that resists drought. Finally, pick a type of grass seed that can stand up to the amount of foot traffic on your lawn.

Most warm-season grass seed should be planted in spring after your last frost date. Some warm-season grass seeds like Zoysia can be planted into the summer months. Still, they should be planted at least 90 days before the final frost in your area or the seed may not survive the winter.

The best time to plant cool-season grass types is in late summer or early fall.

In the Garden Center and online, look for grass seed mixes suited for your specific climate and growing conditions. Types of grass seed mixes are available that offer drought-resistant grass seed types. Other mixes can help repair damaged lawns.

Types of Grass Seed Mixtures:

Seed mixtures: Some seed mixtures combine several different grass types in one seed package. The strengths and weaknesses of each offset the others to keep your lawn green and healthy. This type of grass seed often contains disease- and drought-resistant properties.

Blended-seed mixtures: Blended-seed mixtures combine several different kinds of the same grass species to capitalize on the strengths of each variety. By using varieties within the same species, you can ensure a more consistent appearance in your lawn.

Lawn repair mix: These products combine grass seed, starter fertilizer and mulch in a single package. This all-purpose mixture is used for reseeding bare areas in your lawn and prevents you from having to buy all the items separately. Also, the fertilizer and mulch are optimized for the particular seed you choose. Most of these mixes are designed to help with water absorption and retention to improve growth. Some grass seed mixes formulated for spot repair replace mulch with soil improvers to help roots develop. Rather than cover bare spots, these mixes quickly thicken up thinning patches.

Tip: Warm-season grass is usually sold as single or “straight” seed. These packages contain only one variety of grass seed.

Plan ahead before planting grass seed. Have all of the necessary materials and tools available, including a water sprinkler and a garden hose long enough to reach the planting area. The amount of time needed for the project depends on the size of the lawn being planted.

• Before you plant in a new area, prepare the soil by removing existing plants, weeds and stones.
• Mix in organic material like compost, and rake it smooth.
• Use a lawn spreader or, for smaller areas, sow seed by hand.
• Cover the seeds to a depth of about 1/4-inch by raking dirt over them.
• Mulch the seeded area with landscape fabric or straw to retain moisture.
• Water daily until germination occurs, then less often but more heavily.
• When new grass is 3-inches high, remove the mulch and lightly mow.
• Protect the lawn from people or animals by roping it off until the grass is established.
• Always follow package directions when using fertilizer. Using more than the recommended amount can cause more harm than good for the new grass.

Discontinue use of any weed control products before planting new grass. Residue from extended-release products can remain in the ground for many weeks and prevent grass seed germination and damage young grass.

Wait until the new grass has been mowed a few times before applying any herbicides. Meanwhile, pull any visible weeds by hand. This will help prevent an invasion of weeds that can take moisture from the soil. Weeds can absorb the nutrients and fertilizers that are essential for successfully growing grass.