Few things are better than the look and feel of a well-trimmed green lawn or backyard with dense, lush grass. Growing grass is a great way to restore your existing landscape and add a natural charm to your home.
While it isn’t difficult to grow grass in Georgia’s climate, it’s important to understand the varieties of grass suitable for it. The key is knowing the kind of weather and sun exposure on your lawn and planning accordingly.
The kind of grass seed you plant will differ depending on which part of Georgia you live in. In this article, we’ll list the best grass seeds for Georgia that you can grow on your lawn or backyard.
Types of Grasses
Grasses adapt according to the weather and climate they’re from. The grasses that are commonly planted in Georgia are broadly categorized into two groups: warm-season grass and cool-season grass.
Georgia has a humid subtropical climate, and most of the state receives short winters and long, hot summers. Some of the northern regions of the state, however, can receive long and cold winters as well.
If you’re planning on planting grass, it’s helpful to know the climate variations and the best grass seeds for Georgia in the region where you live.
Warm Season Grass
As the name suggests, warm-season grasses have adapted and thrive in regions with warm climates. They are also generally more tolerant of hot, sunny days and are drought tolerant. These types of grasses are best suited for regions where the average temperature is higher than 75°F (24°C).
The downside to these grasses is they don’t do well during winters, however, their discoloration doesn’t mean that they’re dead. They regain their color once spring and sunny days reemerge.
Warm-season grasses are some of the best grass seeds for Georgia since they thrive during most parts of the year except winter. This variety of grass must be planted from late spring to early summer.
Here are some of the best warm-season grass seeds:
1. Seaspray – Seashore Paspalum
The seashore paspalum is a variety of grass that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Apart from being tolerant to hot temperatures, this grass is also salt-tolerant, making it one of the best grass seeds for Georgia’s coastal side. It has a partial shade tolerance and requires a lawn that receives full sunlight.
2. Oasis Bermuda Grass
Oasis Bermuda Grass is a sub-variety of the Bermuda variety of grasses and is one of the best grass seeds for Georgia. This turf-type grass can be planted when the average soil temperature is more than 65°F. It’s a high-quality variety that’s also used in golf courses, parks, and commercial sites. Growing Oasis Bermuda Grass requires full sun on your lawn.
3. Yukon Bermuda Grass
Yukon Bermuda Grass is one of the best grass seeds for Georgia. This grass type is a synthetic variety of Bermuda grass that has the best cold tolerance among warm-season grass seeds. For this reason, it’s also often planted in northern parts of Georgia. The grass is often used for sports turf, parks, and home lawns. It requires full sun if you want to see the best results.
4. Arden 15 Bermuda Grass
The Arden 15 Bermuda Grass is a hybrid variety of Bermuda grass that provides a lush, green color and becomes active in early springtime. This grass type requires full sun (at least 8 hours) for the best results. The Arden 15 has relatively good cold tolerance compared to other warm-season grass seeds.
Best Warm Season Grass Types
5. Bermuda Grasses (Cynodon dactylon)
Bermuda grass is one of the most common warm-season grass seeds in Georgia with a range of sub-varieties. Each sub-variety is suited for different climates, which adds to its popularity. They grow under full sun exposure and can tolerate light shade.
This grass type can grow into a dense turf, which can give your lawn a lush green look but can also be hard to contain. It’s among the best grass seeds for Georgia for those who want warm-season grass on their beautiful lawn.
6. Centipede Grass (Eremochloa Ophiuroides)
Looking for the best grass seeds for Georgia that are low-maintenance yet high-quality? Centipede grass is a dense turf-forming, perennial grass variety that grows slowly, so it doesn’t need frequent mowing. For the same reason, it will take longer to mature and cover your lawn. It’s capable of growing in soil that has little or no nutrients.
7. Carpet Grass (Axonopus)
Carpet grass is a warm-season grass that produces a dense turf even in challenging environments where regular grass doesn’t grow well. It’s a shade-tolerant creeping variety that can grow even in poor soil conditions where grass otherwise wouldn’t grow.
8. Zoysia Grass or Lawn Grass
Although native to Asia, Zoysia grass is a popular choice among American homeowners. It is among the best grass seeds for Georgia because of its resistance to heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic. This variety is pretty soft compared to others like Bermuda grass. The texture of Zoysia grass ranges from fine to coarse. Under optimal conditions, it’s easy to grow and low-maintenance. However, it requires full sun exposure and has a light shade tolerance.
Cool Season Grass
Cool-season grasses are grass varieties that are more tolerant of cold temperatures. While a lot of them won’t do well in hot temperatures, there are a few that are relatively heat-resistant. These types of grasses typically thrive in regions with an average temperature between 60°F to 70°F (15.5°C – 21°C).
These grasses are dormant at the onset of summer and regain their growth as fall approaches. Cool-season grasses tend to prefer humid conditions, so you might have to water them more often. This variety is ideally planted in late summer to early fall.
Here are some of the best cool-season grass seeds:
9. Kentucky Bluegrass (Bluegrass Supreme)
The Bluegrass Supreme sub-variety of Kentucky Bluegrass is known for being one of the lushest and most durable green grass on your lawn. It’s also said to have one of the best textures among different grass types. It can grow in partial sun to mostly shady conditions. This cool-season grass is known for being more heat resistant. Extra watering can help this variety survive hot summers.
10. Fescue Blend Grass (Combat Extreme Transition)
Fescue Blend Grasses are one of the most popular cool-season grasses in Georgia due to the fact that they are hardy in hot temperatures. This type of grass can withstand drought conditions, but also tolerates shady lawns quite well. Since it’s a cool-season grass, it requires more water during summers.
11. Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass
Midnight Kentucky bluegrass is one of the best grass seeds for Georgia. The grass is known for its unique and rich dark blue-green color as well as thick, dense turf. It also shows good heat and drought resistance. This variety of grass can be grown in sandy soil or heavy clay soils.
12. OSP Ryegrass
This cool-season grass has decent drought resistance that allows it to thrive even in summer. OSP Ryegrass type also offers excellent foot traffic resistance. If you’re looking to plant grass in your backyard where your kids play every day, this is one of the best grass seeds for Georgia to consider.
Cool-Season Grass Types
13. Fescue and Hybrid Bluegrass
A mix of the two grass varieties, fescue and hybrid bluegrass, is capable of producing dense grass that is perfect for cold weather. The fescue variety can withstand hot temperatures and cold winters, while its bluegrass mix gives it extra cold tolerance and denser, lush growth.
14. Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne)
Another common variety of grass used by homeowners all over the country is perennial ryegrass. It’s used in permanent and temporary lawns. This cool-season grass has great cold tolerance, while some of its sub-varieties have decent heat and drought tolerance as well. Perennial ryegrass is mostly popular due to its fast germination and growth.
15. Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea)
The tall fescue is known for its adaptability to different climates, making it one of the best grass seeds for Georgia. Though a cool-season grass, it has decent heat, shade, and drought tolerance. This variety offers a rich dark green color with narrow blades. The low-maintenance grass variety is perfect for Georgia’s climate.
16. Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis)
Kentucky bluegrass is another cool-season favorite and among the best grass seeds for Georgia. It’s primarily known for its unique blue-green shade and soft texture. Although it requires a bit of effort to grow, your hard work will pay off when you see a green lawn that’s dense, lush, and durable. This variety of grass has extreme winter hardiness as well as a capacity for self-repair.
Conclusion
Whichever part of the country you’re from, the most important consideration when planting grass is the weather in your region throughout the year. This will help you pick the best variety of grass for your lawn or backyard. Planting grass seeds at the wrong time will not result in good growth.
Another thing to remember is that grass is a plant, and requires as much (if not more) care as your other plants. If your grass doesn’t get what it needs, whether it’s fertilizer or sufficient water, it won’t thrive. We hope this article on the best grass seeds for Georgia helps you pick the right kind of grass for your home.
While visiting in the Peach State, check out this list of best things to do and places to see in Georgia!