Warm-season grasses like St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and Bermudagrass are the best grasses for Mississippi lawns because they are well-adapted to our warm summers and mild winters. However, certain cool-season grasses like centipedegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue do well in milder regions of northern Mississippi.
Regardless of where you live, your choice of grass depends on several factors. Each grass has its own needs, preferences, and strengths, which we will explain in this article to help you narrow down the right grass for you.
St. Augustinegrass: Best grass for shady lawns
St. Augustinegrass is the most shade-tolerant grass in Mississippi, as it can survive in 30 percent sun. It’s prized for its wide, bright-green leaves, fast growth, and high salt tolerance (making it a great choice for homeowners on the Gulf Coast). However, its rapid growth means it needs frequent mowing and its low cold tolerance limits where it can grow.
- Among the best shade tolerance for warm-season grasses
- Fast growth rate
- High salt tolerance
- Needs frequent mowing
- Low cold tolerance
If you’re interested in a St. Augustine lawn, read our article on How to Grow and Care for St. Augustinegrass.
Grass Plug Options:
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
Zoysiagrass: Best grass for heavy foot traffic
If you plan on using your lawn for barbecues or to have the kids and pets run around, zoysiagrass is your best bet. Its slow growth habit means it takes a long time to recover, but when it does, it does strongly. It prefers full sun and its high salt tolerance makes it well suited for coastal areas in Mississippi.
- Excellent foot traffic tolerance
- Cold-tolerant
- Likes full sun
- Has a high salt tolerance
- Slow grower
For more, check out How to Grow and Care for Zoysiagrass.
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)
Bermudagrass: Best grass for sunny lawns
Dark green and carpet-like, Bermudagrass requires the largest amount of sunlight among turf grasses (it needs full sun). This, combined with its high drought tolerance, makes it well suited to hot and humid southern Mississippi. It also tolerates foot traffic and recovers quickly due to its fast growth rate. However, it has a low shade tolerance and spreads aggressively into flower beds and other lawns.
- Needs full sun
- Strong drought tolerance
- High foot traffic tolerance
- Fast growth rate (recovers quickly)
- Spreads aggressively
If you think a Bermudagrass lawn is right for you, read How to Grow and Care for Bermudagrass.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Centipedegrass: Best low-maintenance grass
Want a lawn that doesn’t require constant fertilizing, watering, mowing, and pest control? Centipedegrass is your best option. It’s a low-maintenance, medium-textured, yellow-tinged green grass with strong disease and pest resistance. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Low maintenance
- Strong disease and pest resistance
- Likes full sun
- Medium-textured
- Yellow-tinged
Read our article on How to Grow and Care for Centipedegrass if you feel like a centipedegrass lawn is the best grass choice for you.
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)
Kentucky bluegrass: For cooler north Mississippi
With the right care, the cool-season Kentucky bluegrass produces a dense, beautiful turf. Some of its traits, like shade tolerance and drought resistance, vary by cultivar. Mississippi State University recommends this cold-hardy grass to people near the Tennessee border. Outside of this area, it’s too warm for the grass.
- Handles foot traffic moderately well but recovers quickly
- Tolerates some shade but not a lot
- High maintenance needs
- Low drought tolerance
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Tall fescue: For a low-maintenance lawn
Tall fescue is an adaptable cool-season grass that’s easy to care for. It tolerates some heat, drought, and shade. Mississippi State University recommends this grass to anyone north of Highway 82. Tall fescue grows quickly. However, the grass also needs frequent mowing. Establish it for early September to mid-October and reseed it every few years to repair bare spots and thinning.
- Does well in busy yards
- Good shade tolerance
- Tolerates drought well
- Grows fast; needs frequent mowing
Grass Seed Options:
– Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend (5000 sq ft)
– Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed (choose your size)
– Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix (7 lb.)
Trust the pros
Choosing the right grass for your lawn can be challenging, but we can help. Get in touch with one of our lawn care professionals, and we’ll guide you in finding the right grass for your lawn.
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Main Image Credit: Eudora Welty House | J R Gordon | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
