Choosing the right turfgrass for a lawn in Georgia presents a unique challenge due to the state’s wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity. The diverse climate means a grass thriving in the cooler northern mountains may fail completely in the hot, humid southern coastal plains. Homeowners must select a species specifically adapted to their location’s microclimate and the specific conditions of their yard. This article examines the most suitable turfgrass options based on Georgia’s distinct geographic zones.
Understanding Georgia’s Climate Zones
Georgia’s turfgrass selection is dominated by the “Transition Zone,” where neither purely warm-season nor purely cool-season grasses are perfectly suited year-round. The state’s geography ranges from the cooler, higher elevation climate of North Georgia to the subtropical heat of South Georgia. Warm-season grasses are active in summer but go dormant and turn brown during winter freezes. Cool-season grasses thrive in mild weather but struggle to survive the intense summer heat.
The northern third of the state, including the Atlanta area, is where this transition is most pronounced. South of Atlanta and extending toward the coast, the climate favors warm-season varieties almost exclusively due to the long, intense heat and humidity. Selecting the appropriate grass type depends on whether the grass can survive the cold winter dormancy or the sustained summer stress in your specific region.
Primary Warm-Season Grass Options
Warm-season grasses are the most common choice for Georgia lawns, adapted to withstand prolonged periods of high temperatures and humidity. They grow most actively when temperatures are above 80°F and enter a protective dormancy after the first frost. Successful varieties spread aggressively using stolons (above-ground runners) or rhizomes (underground stems) to form a dense, resilient turf.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is highly regarded for its exceptional heat and drought tolerance, making it a reliable choice across the entire state. This species thrives in full sun and recovers quickly from damage due to its aggressive growth habit, often making it suitable for athletic fields. Its resilience requires a high maintenance commitment, including frequent mowing (0.5 to 1.5 inches) and a substantial fertilization program to maintain density and color.
The vigorous spreading nature of Bermuda means it can easily invade flowerbeds and walkways if not carefully edged. Newer hybrid varieties, such as TifTuf or Tifway, offer improved density, finer texture, and better drought resistance. This grass turns completely brown during winter dormancy.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass offers a middle ground between the high maintenance of Bermuda and the low input of other warm-season types. It creates a dense, soft, carpet-like turf due to its tight growth pattern. Zoysia has moderate shade tolerance, performing better in partial sun than Bermuda, making it a viable option for landscapes with scattered trees.
Establishment is slow, especially from seed, so Zoysia is most often installed via sod. Once established, it possesses good drought tolerance, entering a semi-dormant state during dry spells and quickly greening up when moisture returns. It requires less nitrogen fertilization than Bermuda but may need occasional dethatching to prevent organic matter accumulation.
Centipede Grass
Centipede grass is valued for its extremely low maintenance requirements, including minimal fertilization and infrequent mowing. It grows slowly, forming a medium-coarse, light-green turf well-adapted to the naturally acidic soils common across much of Georgia. Centipede thrives in a soil pH range of 5.0 to 6.0 and struggles when the pH rises above 6.2, which can lead to iron chlorosis and yellowing.
This species is not recommended for high-traffic areas because it recovers slowly from wear damage and its shallow root system is sensitive to compaction. Over-fertilization is a common mistake due to its low nitrogen requirements, which can lead to a decline in health. Centipede spreads only by stolons, making it less invasive than Bermuda but slower to fill in damaged spots.
St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is best suited for the deepest southern and coastal regions of Georgia due to its poor tolerance for hard freezes. It is a coarse-textured, broad-leafed grass with a distinctive blue-green color that maintains its color later into the fall. Its superior shade tolerance is its most significant advantage, making it the best choice for lawns with significant tree cover or partial shade.
This grass spreads aggressively using thick surface stolons, quickly forming a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds. It does not tolerate concentrated foot traffic well and is susceptible to winter injury in areas north of Macon. St. Augustine is established using sod or plugs since viable seed is generally not available for turf varieties.
Cool-Season Grasses for Northern Areas
For the cooler, higher-elevation areas of North Georgia, the primary cool-season turfgrass option is Tall Fescue. Cool-season grasses remain green year-round and grow most actively during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild. Tall Fescue is the only cool-season species widely recommended for Georgia lawns because its deep root system offers some defense against summer heat stress.
Tall Fescue is a bunch-type grass, meaning it does not spread laterally by stolons or rhizomes; thinning areas must be repaired by overseeding. The grass suffers from “summer swoon,” a decline in health caused by warm nighttime temperatures (often above 70°F) that prevent metabolic recovery. This stress requires significant supplemental watering throughout the summer to keep the roots cool.
Due to its high demand for summer irrigation and struggle in sustained heat, Tall Fescue should be avoided in Central and South Georgia, where it rarely persists past one or two summers. Even in northern areas, it requires annual overseeding in the fall to maintain density. Homeowners choose Tall Fescue primarily for its ability to provide a green lawn during the winter months when warm-season grasses are dormant and brown.
Selecting the Right Grass Based on Yard Conditions
The final choice of turfgrass should be determined by comparing the characteristics of the grasses against the specific conditions and use of your property. Three factors—shade tolerance, traffic tolerance, and maintenance level—often narrow the options significantly.
Shade Tolerance
St. Augustine grass provides the best performance, thriving in areas that receive as little as four to six hours of direct sunlight per day. Zoysia and Centipede grasses offer moderate shade tolerance and are suitable for lawns with dappled sun or light tree cover. Bermuda grass requires the highest amount of sun, demanding at least six to eight hours of full, direct sunlight to maintain its density and color.
Traffic Tolerance
The intended use of the lawn dictates the required traffic and wear tolerance. Bermuda grass is superior due to its vigorous, self-repairing growth habit. Zoysia grass is the next best option, handling moderate to heavy foot traffic well once established. Centipede and St. Augustine grasses are poor choices for areas with concentrated traffic, such as play areas, as they recover very slowly from consistent wear.
Maintenance Level
The required maintenance level distinguishes between high-input and low-input grasses. Bermuda grass and Tall Fescue demand high input, requiring frequent mowing, regular fertilization, and significant summer irrigation. Conversely, Centipede grass is the most relaxed option, needing minimal fertilization and less frequent mowing. Zoysia grass falls in the middle with moderate requirements.