While spring is still a few months away, it’s never too late to get a head start on lawn care projects. If you’re thinking about repairing thin or bare patches in your lawn, check out these warm-season grass varietals that do well in Texas!
Warm-Season Grass Varietals For Texas Lawns
Bermudagrass
If you have a yard that experiences a lot of foot traffic, Bermudagrass might be the best lawn grass for you. It’s one of the most popular warm-season grasses in the South, and it germinates quickly, so you won’t have to wait long for a lush, thick lawn. Bermudagrass is also relatively tolerant of droughts and bounces back quickly when damaged. There is one catch, though: Bermudagrass needs ample sunlight, so if your yard has trees or larger shrubs, it might be best to go with some like fescue, which is more tolerant of varied lighting. Because Bermudagrass grows so fast, you may need to mow twice a week during peak growing seasons.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass originated in Asia and was introduced to the US in the late 1800s when lawns were becoming a common feature of the American home. Before the turn of the 20th century, only the wealthy could afford lawns since they were time-consuming and labor-intensive to maintain. But with the invention of the lawnmower, the average person could keep a lawn trimmed without too much effort. Zoysia is tolerant of some shade as well as drought, thanks to its exceptionally robust root system. Like Bermudagrass, it’s relatively tolerant of foot traffic, which is why it’s a popular choice for golf courses. Zoysia only needs about an inch of water a week, making it lower maintenance than other options. If you go with Zoysia grass, expect to enjoy a lush green carpet, but be careful it doesn’t spill over into your garden beds, as it is wont to do.
Centipede Grass
Also, from Asia, Centipede grass is one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses. It’s pretty tolerant of heat and doesn’t need as much fertilizer as other varietals. Unfortunately, Centipede grass does not like foot traffic, so if you have a household of dogs or children, you may want to consider a heartier grass that will bounce back after being run over. Centipede grass also is a slow grower compared to Zoysia or Bermudagrass, so don’t expect results overnight.
St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine Grass is like the shag carpet of grasses. It’s known for its thick, coarse blades and rich dark green color. It will tolerate some shade, so if your yard has mixed lighting, you won’t have to worry about the grass dying off. That being said, St. Augustine Grass does not like drought, so you may need to help it out when there is low rainfall. Like Centipede grass, St. Augustine does not like foot traffic, so keep this in mind when deciding. If you walk across your lawn only when you mow, then St. Augustine will do just fine.
How To Enjoy A Green Lawn All Year Round
When our temperatures dip below the 60s and stay there, our warm-season grass goes dormant, leaving our lawns brown and dull. Fortunately, you don’t have to look at blah turf until next spring. By using one of these two cool-season grasses interspersed with the dominant warm-season grass, you’ll always have a bit of greenery in your yard!
Ryegrass
Ryegrass is considered a nurse grass because it’s one of the most popular choices for repairing lawns with thin or bare areas. It comes in both annual and perennial form, but you’ll want the latter if you don’t want to overseed every year. Compared to other varietals like St. Augustine, ryegrass has fine blades, giving the lawn a softer appearance. It may struggle in shadier areas of the yard, as it prefers more direct sunlight.
Fescue
Fescue does fine in our Texas heat despite preferring cooler temps and will happily take up the mantle when warm-season grasses have gone to sleep for the winter. Be sure to check the variety. Fescue comes in tall, fine, and blended varieties, and each one has a unique preference for sun, though most are pretty drought tolerant. Compared to other grasses on our list, which are known for darker rich greens, fescue has more vibrant bright hues.
Find Overseeding And Lawn Care in Noth Texas
If your lawn is looking worse for wear, contact Ashton Walden Turf Services. Our overseeding service will restore the look of your lawn and repair thin or bare patches in your turf.
At Ashton Walden, we service the following cities:
Contact us below: