Types of Lawn Grass
A lawn is a defining feature of a home or business. It can be a complement to a larger landscaping design or simply a beautiful place for relaxation, play, and wildlife viewing.
Deciding which type of grass to plant or install in a lawn is an important decision because you want to keep your grass looking healthy and green. This is not just for curb appeal but for maximum comfort underfoot.
At Clearfork Lawncare, we know a thing or two about grass. Grass is a large family of plants, and there are actually over 10,000 different species. However, for the sake of simplicity, we’re going to discuss some of the most popular types on the market today:
- Bahia Grass
- Bermuda Grass
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Zoysia
- Artificial
Bahia Grass
Bahia grass is a popular type used in the southeastern part of the United States, where it is hot and humid for most of the year. This grass is extremely tough, being both drought and heat tolerant.
It’s actually a species native to South America and can live in a range of soil conditions. Many owners like Bahia grass because it really grows on its own without a lot of help and stays healthy without additional attention.
The two main cons to Bahia grass are that other plants and weeds take root easily in a lawn with this grass, and it does not do well in the cold.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is another warm-season species popular throughout the southern United States. This type of grass has a very strong root system and can cover a lawn with a lush, thick layer that is very popular with households. It also has an extremely high growth rate, which makes it perfect for heavy foot traffic or play use (in fact, many golf courses actually prefer Bermuda grass).
The two main cons of Bermuda are its needs for water and nutrients. When well watered, it can stand up to heat and humidity and stay lush and green throughout a tough season. If not, it will get unhappy quickly and start to die. Home and business owners who use Bermuda grass usually install watering systems and have ongoing fertilizer maintenance for their lawn.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky Bluegrass, despite its name, is actually a cooler-weather grass. Similar to Bermuda, Kentucky Bluegrass has a well-established root system that fills a lawn quickly. It’s known as a self-healing grass and is extremely resilient to damage due to foot traffic or heavy use.
The main con of Kentucky Bluegrass is that it likes full sun and does not do very well in the shady areas of a lawn.
Zoysia
Zoysia is another warmer-weather grass and is popular because it grows slowly. Slow-growing grasses do not need to be cut or watered as often. It creates a thickly covered lawn and is also drought and heat-resistant.
The biggest con of Zoysia is that it’s not one of the most vibrant green grasses. It will stay a light to medium green color throughout the main season. Many owners actually mix Zoysia seed with other seeds in their lawns to help with the color.
Artificial
In the hustle and bustle of today’s busy society, artificial grass lawns are becoming more and more popular. Many home and business owners simply do not have the time to maintain a lawn and love that artificial grass (or turf) stays green all the time and requires no watering, fertilizing, or mowing. It also looks and feels like grass, so a lawn can still be used for playing and entertaining without the worry of killing the grass.
Artificial grass is designed to be tough, and there are different types to choose from based on the foot traffic and wear-and-tear durability. Before installing an artificial lawn, home and business owners can choose from a variety of green colors and lengths as well.
The two main cons of an artificial lawn are that it reduces the biodiversity of a space and that messes need to be cleaned up immediately. An artificial lawn is made of fake grass, so it cannot support animal life. However, many people who use artificial grass have extensive gardens, so they can put their time and effort into that instead. An artificial lawn also does not deal with messes like dog bathroom breaks very well, so owners need to clean things up immediately or have their animals relieve themselves in other areas.
Landscape Design and Lawn Care Experts
The team at Clearfork Lawncare has proudly served the residents of Fort Worth, Texas, since 2015. We are a veteran-owned business that is accredited by the Better Business Borough, and you can trust that we will provide the best on-time and professional service for your lawn and property.
We specialize in landscape design, maintenance, and irrigation and drainage systems for both residential and commercial properties. Give us a call to discuss your lawn and landscaping needs, and you can also request a free quote.