The Best Grass Seed for North Mississippi

The best grasses for most of north Mississippi are Zoysiagrass, Bermudagrass, and centipedegrass. You can also plant tall fescue above Highway 82 and Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass near the Tennessee border. In addition, some fine fescue cultivars grow all over North Mississippi, while others can only grow near the Tennessee border.

Picking the right grass type is important for growing a healthy, green turf. Just one mistake may be costly. Here’s all you need to know about the best grass seed for north Mississippi.

Turf-type tall fescue: The easy-care, transition zone grass

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. 

The seed of tall fescue is affordable and quick to grow. 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. Sod is also available, although it’s less common than seed. Tall fescue is also often used in seed mixes with fine fescue or Kentucky bluegrass.

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.)

Fine fescue: The shade-tolerant grass for mixes

Fine fescue is a cool-season grass known to tolerate shade the best out of all grasses. However, it doesn’t tolerate foot traffic, and it grows slowly. The bright side is that you don’t have to mow it often. Nevertheless, you have to mix the grass with other grasses to use it in northern Mississippi. It pairs well with tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Fine fescue may thin over time, so be prepared to overseed it.

Some cultivars, like creeping red fescue and chewings fescue, can only grow near the Tennessee border (for example, around Memphis). The state is too warm elsewhere for these grasses.

Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed (choose your size)
– Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed (25 lbs.)

Kentucky bluegrass: The cold-resistant beauty

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.

Newer cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass are generally more resistant. In the summer, you should mow this grass tall. It needs you to maintain it, but in return, it looks lovely and repairs itself from damage. Often, Kentucky bluegrass comes as a seed mix with other grasses, like fine fescue or tall fescue.

Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)

Perennial ryegrass: The fast-germinating grass for mixes

Perennial ryegrass is a fast-germinating grass, usually used in mixes with Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue. The grass needs moderate mowing, depending on your cutting height. It tolerates extra low mows, so if you want to use a reel mower, it might be the right one for you. Perennial ryegrass is also perfect for lawn striping.

Like some fine fescue cultivars and Kentucky bluegrass, this grass is only suitable for use near the Tennessee border; elsewhere, it’s too warm for it to grow. You can use it as a temporary winter grass.

Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)

Zoysiagrass: The most cold-resistant of the warm-season grasses

Zoysiagrass is more cold-resistant than most warm-season grasses, making it a good pick for the transition zone. It’s a soft, traffic-tolerant grass that crows out most weeds, and you can get a fine-blade or a wide-blade variety. However, note that Zoysiagrass needs frequent dethatching. But, otherwise, you can manage it either as low-maintenance or high-maintenance turf.

Grass Plug and Seed Options:
– EZPlug 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: The drought-tolerant sun lover

Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass that’s most common in the southern U.S., but you can also use it in the southern and central transition zones. Newer varieties have a greater cold tolerance. Bermudagrass tolerates traffic, resists drought and weeds, and likes the sun. It also grows quickly. It’s available in fine and medium textures.

Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)

Centipedegrass: The turf that thrives on neglect

Centipedegrass is known for its low maintenance requirements. It’s perfect for an easy-care, weed-resistant, dense turf. It’s a slow-growing grass that doesn’t need much mowing or fertilization. However, be careful to know that while centipedegrass is great to look at, it’s not nearly as great to step on; it doesn’t handle foot traffic well. 

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)

For more about lawn care and landscaping in north Mississippi, check out these guides:

Guide to the Planting Zones of Mississippi

Planting Zones of North Mississippi

Best Grass Seed for Mississippi Lawns

FAQ

Can you plant cool-season and warm-season grasses together?

No, don’t plant cool- and warm-season grasses together unless you want a patchy lawn. Grass mixes are great, but the grasses need to have the same season preference.

Which grass is best for the Tennessee border in Mississippi?

Kentucky bluegrass works great for the Tennessee border in Mississippi.

Let Lawn Love handle your lawn care

To pick the best grass seed for North Mississippi, consider your planting zone as well as your own unique preferences. Making a mistake can be costly, so let a Lawn Love pro help. Get an instant quote.

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Main Image Credit: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0

Judith van der Weij

Judith Gallova is a freelance writer who created her first blog at the age of 10. Later, she started working in marketing and eventually combined her writing and marketing skills to become a freelance writer. In her free time, she studies the Bible, goes to the gym, spends time with loved ones, and enjoys all things outdoors.

Posts by Judith van der Weij