Whether you’re planting a new lawn in coastal North Carolina or reseeding an existing one, warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, centipedegrass, and bahiagrass are the way to go. They all withstand the region’s hot summers, sandy soils, and salt spray.
But while all those grasses thrive here, there are differences that require a deeper look. Some require less water, some do well – or don’t – being trampled, and they all need various levels of maintenance. We’ll explore all that and more in this article.
Bahiagrass: Easiest to maintain
Bahiagrass is a low-maintenance grass with deep roots that help it survive drought conditions – perfect for coastal North Carolina’s hot summers. Its root system means it establishes well in sandy soils with limited water retention. It doesn’t have many insect or disease problems, and thatch doesn’t bother it. However, it doesn’t tolerate shade and heavy foot traffic.
Read our article on growing bahiagrass if you want a bahiagrass lawn.
Grass Seed Options
Pensacola Bahiagrass:
– SeedRanch Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed (10 lb. bag)
– Hancock’s Pensacola Bahia Grass Seed – Coated – 5 lbs.
Argentine Bahiagrass:
– Scotts Turf Builder Argentine Bahiagrass (10 lb. bag)
Bermudagrass: Best for foot traffic
If you have many kids or plan on having barbecues often, Bermudagrass is the best choice. It does well under foot, so frequent use doesn’t bother it. It also tolerates salt spray and has no issues with heat or drought, which is why it’s perfectly suited to coastal North Carolina. However, it needs frequent mowing due to its fast growth rate.
Learn more about how to grow and care for bermudagrass in our article if you’re curious.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Centipedegrass: The lazy man’s grass
Centipedegrass is a moderately drought and shade tolerant grass that doesn’t require much maintenance, hence its nickname “lazy man’s grass.” It grows well in coastal North Carolina’s sandy soils. However, it doesn’t like heavy foot traffic and may go dormant during drought.
If you want to learn more about centipedegrass, see our guide to growing centipedegrass.
Grass Seed Options:
– Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds (1 lb.)
– Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass (3.75 lbs.)
– TifBlair Centipedegrass (5-lb. bag)
St. Augustinegrass: For blue-green lawns
Heat-loving and shade tolerant, St. Augustinegrass tolerates salt quite well, making it ideal for beachy North Carolina areas like Wilmington and Cape Hatteras. It comes in sod, sprigs, or plugs, and it crowds out most weeds. It has a fast growth rate, but needs frequent mowing as a result.
To learn more about St. Augustinegrass, see our guide to growing St. Augustinegrass.
Grass Plug Options:
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
Zoysiagrass: Dense and carpet-like
A slow-growing, warm-season turfgrass, Zoysiagrass tolerates drought, some cold and salt, which is great for the coast. It also stands up well to heavy foot traffic, but it takes a while for it to recover if it’s damaged because it’s a slow grower.
Read our guide to growing Zoysiagrass for more.
How to pick the best grass type for your North Carolina lawn
Not every grass is suitable for every lawn. Various factors influence what grass to buy, such as how much maintenance you plan to give it, how much foot traffic it can withstand, and how shady your yard is.
And if you want to know the best grass types for all of North Carolina, we refer you to our article on the best grass seed for North Carolina.
Grass Plug and Seed Options:
– Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)
– Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
– Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)
– Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds (1/8 lb. of seeds)
Maintenance needs
All lawns need a little TLC to grow green and lush, but some need more than others. Consider how much time you plan on lawn care before picking a grass.
- High-maintenance: Bermudagrass
- Moderate maintenance: St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass
- Low-maintenance: Bahiagrass, centipedegrass
Foot traffic tolerance
If you plan on having kids and pets run around in the yard, or have barbecues and parties, pick a grass with high foot traffic tolerance.
- High foot traffic tolerance: Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass
- Moderate foot traffic tolerance: St. Augustinegrass
- Low foot traffic tolerance: Bahiagrass, centipedegrass
Shade tolerance
Trees and other landscape features can bring shade to your yard, and your lawn will need to adapt to it. Pick a grass with high shade tolerance if you have a shady yard.
- Moderate shade tolerance: Centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass
- Low shade tolerance: Bahiagrass, bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass
Frequently asked questions
When’s the best time to plant grass seed in coastal North Carolina?
The best time to plant grass seed in coastal North Carolina is between mid-April and early June, when soil temperatures reach 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
When should I fertilize my coastal North Carolina lawn?
The best time to fertilize your coastal North Carolina lawn is in April.
Hiring a professional
With factors like maintenance, foot traffic tolerance, and shade tolerance to take into account, choosing the right grass for your lawn can be tricky.
But we can help. Whether you live in Wilmington, Greenville, Fayetteville, or somewhere else in coastal North Carolina, our LawnStarter pros can give you the lawn you want at a price you can love.
Main Image Credit: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
