Georgia micro-climates can make getting a green lawn more of a challenge. Georgia has a wide variety of different weather and climate conditions, making it incredibly important to match your lawn’s grass to your local weather and soil conditions.
While Tall Fescue is a popular choice for its durability and heat tolerance, it may not be the best option for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore the best grass seed options for Georgia’s climate and soil types.
From drought-tolerant species to those that thrive in shade or high-traffic areas, we’ve got you covered. So before you start planting, read on for our top picks and expert advice on finding the perfect grass seed for your Georgia lawn!
Tall Fescue Grasses
Also Known As | Lolium arundinaceum (formerly Festuca arundinacea) |
Type of Grass | Cool season perennial |
Optimal Zones | Northern through transition zones |
Root Structure | Deep |
Winter hardiness | Excellent |
Shade tolerance | High |
Water Requirements | Medium to High |
Drought Tolerance | Excellent |
Self Repair Capacity | Limited |
Overall Maintenance Requirements | Low |
Why This Grass Is Good For Georgia
Tall fescue is the go-to grass seed for many Georgia residents living in the mountain and upper piedmont areas.
This hardy perennial bunch-type grass grows at an impressive pace, but with that comes frequent mowing during spring and fall. It has a thirstier nature than warm-season grasses, so it requires more water to stay green throughout the summer season.
This grass is not only popular for its year-round green color but also for its ability to withstand harsh winter conditions without going dormant. It has a bunching to weakly rhizomatous growth habit and a hearty root system that equips it to grow well in Georgia’s infamous clay soil.
Tall fescue grasses grow well in full sun, but also in moderate shade making it a versatile option for any lawn. With a wide tolerance range for soil conditions, it’s no wonder why this turfgrass is so popular among homeowners and even recreation areas like golf courses and athletic fields.
However, keep in mind that tall fescue can become “clumpy” over time and require reseeding every three or more years to maintain its lush appearance. But don’t let that deter you from choosing this superior option! Compared to other types of fescue, tall fescue grows much faster — gaining up to two inches per week during fall — and has a darker color and denser growth pattern.
So if you’re seeking a robust grass type that can stand alone without blending into other varieties, tall fescue is your perfect match!
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Bermudagrass Seed
Also Known As | Bermuda grass, wiregrass; Cynodon dactylon L. |
Type of Grass | Warm season perennial |
Optimal Zones | Southern region |
Root Structure | Deep |
Winter hardiness | Poor |
Heat tolerance | Excellent |
Shade tolerance | Poor |
Water Requirements | High |
Drought Tolerance | High |
Self Repair Capacity | Excellent |
Overall Maintenance Requirements | Moderate to High |
Why This Grass Seed Is Good For Georgia
Bermuda grass is a popular choice for Georgia lawns due to its impressive heat and drought tolerance. This tough warm-season grass thrives in hot weather but struggles in shady areas, so it’s best to plant it where it can soak up the sun. However, be warned that bermuda grass can spread rapidly through both above-and-below-ground runners, making them difficult to control around flower beds, walks, and borders. Also, fertilizing bermudagrass adequately means you’ll need to mow them more frequently.
Bermudagrass has short flat leaves that grow as high as 16 inches tall and stems (or stolons) that grow around the surface, creating a dense turf for your lawn.
This robust grass type grows faster than any other variety out there. Plus, it’s resistant to diseases and tolerant of shade – a rarity among warm-season grasses.
Its fine to medium blades give off an eye-catching bright green color that looks amazing on any lawn. Bermuda grass prefers well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate some shade if necessary. Notably, it’s also very salt-tolerant if you live along Georgia’s coast.
Bermuda grass handles heavy foot traffic with ease making it perfect for families with young children and pets who love playing outside all day long! It can recover quickly from damage too!
Although this variety does require frequent maintenance during peak growing season since it grows so quickly- including regular fertilization- the results are worth the effort!
Kentucky Bluegrass
Also Known As | Poa pratensis L. |
Type of Grass | Cool season perennial |
Optimal Zones | Northern cool season zone, transition zones |
Root Structure | Shallow |
Winter hardiness | Excellent |
Shade tolerance | Poor to Good |
Water Requirements | High |
Drought Tolerance | Poor |
Self Repair Capacity | Excellent |
Overall Maintenance Requirements | High |
Why This Grass Is Good For Georgia
Kentucky Bluegrass grows well in many varieties north of the upper piedmont areas of Georgia. While it can become semi-dormant during hot weather, it thrives in fertile soil with a pH between 6 to 7.
Partial shade is where this grass truly shines, but if you provide adequate moisture, it will grow just as well under full sun. With its dark green boat-shaped leaves, Kentucky bluegrass can handle heavy use and traffic while maintaining strong resistance to summer dormancy.
Unlike other cool-season grasses that take forever to establish themselves, Kentucky bluegrass establishes easily but germinates slowly. However, come summertime, this grass experiences an impressive growth spurt that will leave your lawn looking lush and vibrant!
Whether your lawn is partially shaded or basking under the sun’s rays all day long, this grass will adapt beautifully to any condition. However, be aware that it can be susceptible to leaf spots and diseases. In such cases, consider blends mixed with more disease-resistant seeds for optimal results.
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Centipedegrass
Also Known As | Eremochloa ophiuroides |
Type of Grass | Warm season perennial |
Optimal Zones | Zones 8-9 |
Root Structure | Shallow, Fibrous roots |
Winter hardiness | Moderately Hardy |
Shade tolerance | Moderate |
Water Requirements | Low to Moderate |
Drought Tolerance | High |
Self Repair Capacity | Good |
Why This Grass Seed Is Good For Georgia
If you’re looking for an all-purpose grass that can tolerate both heat and shade, Centipede grass should be on your list! This medium-textured, low-maintenance grass requires very little in terms of nutrients. You won’t have to fertilize it often, which is a huge plus!
Unlike other grasses that require frequent mowing, Centipede grass grows slowly and thus needs less maintenance. However, this also means that it takes longer to mature and fill out a yard after seeding.
What’s even more impressive about this grass is its drought tolerance and ability to handle various soil types. This makes it an excellent option for lawns with varying conditions. However, it’s not recommended for areas with high foot traffic as it doesn’t have much tolerance for wear and tear. Also, salt exposure can brown or even kill the grass, so coastal areas should look elsewhere.
Centipede grass forms a dense turf that prevents weed growth. This is particularly important in Georgia where weed growth can be a significant problem for homeowners.
While this turf-forming perennial has a slow growth rate and slow recovery when damaged, its low-maintenance nature makes up for these minor drawbacks. If you’re looking to blend your seeds to prevent weed growth while keeping maintenance low, consider adding Centipede grass into the mix!
Georgia’s Climate and Grass Growing Challenges
Georgia’s climate and growing conditions can present some challenges for maintaining a healthy lawn. The state’s humid subtropical climate means that summers are hot, wet, and humid, while winters tend to be mild with occasional snowfall. These conditions make it challenging to grow certain types of grasses that may thrive in other regions.
Heat and Humidity
One of the primary challenges of maintaining a lawn in Georgia is dealing with the heat and humidity. This can lead to issues such as fungal diseases and insect infestations that can damage or kill the grass. Additionally, Georgia’s frequent summer thunderstorms can cause soil erosion and root damage, making it difficult for grasses to establish deep root systems.
Drought
Another challenge facing homeowners in Georgia is dealing with drought conditions during periods of low rainfall. This can cause lawns to become dry and brown, leading to patchy areas that are susceptible to weed growth.
Red Clay
Red clay is a type of soil commonly found in Georgia. It is characterized by its reddish color, high iron content, and dense texture.
While red clay can provide some benefits for growing plants, it also presents some challenges for maintaining a healthy lawn.
One of the main issues with red clay soil is that it tends to be compacted and poorly draining, which can lead to waterlogging and root rot. This can be particularly problematic for lawns, as excess moisture can cause grasses to become yellow and thin or even die off completely.
Additionally, the dense texture of red clay soil can make it difficult for grass roots to penetrate deeply into the ground. This can limit grasses’ access to nutrients and water, which can stunt growth and make the lawn more susceptible to disease and insect infestations.
To overcome these challenges when growing a lawn on red clay soil in Georgia, it’s important to take steps to improve soil quality.
This may include:
- aerating the lawn regularly to loosen up compacted soil
- adding organic matter like compost or mulch to improve drainage and nutrient availability
- selecting grass varieties that are well-suited to clay conditions
Use Proper Lawn Care Practices
To overcome these challenges, homeowners in Georgia must choose grass varieties that are well-suited to the region’s climate and soil conditions. Additionally, proper lawn care practices such as regular mowing, fertilization, watering, and pest management are critical for maintaining a healthy lawn.
Overall, while Georgia’s climate presents some unique challenges for growing a healthy lawn, it is still possible to achieve a lush green yard by selecting appropriate grass varieties and implementing proper maintenance techniques.
Get an organic lawn care plan designed just for your yard.
Use the code EHG20 to save $20!
Just read your article on fescue grass. I have what’s left of a fescue lawn in front yard of my home. Last fall planted Five Star Fescue it looked great until late May then started dying off. I purchased this seed based on the advise from the Pike sales person! It’s clear he did not know his product.
Planning to try the Atlanta Blend Fescue this fall. I have planted most every fescue seed know to man with disappointing results. They all look great in the spring.
Looking for suggestions on the seed.. Planning to spray a preemergent dethatch, aerate, seed, apply a starter fertilizer, water.
What say you on the Atlanta Blend?