- The regions of Georgia<\/a><\/li>
- Cool-season grasses for Georgia<\/a><\/li>
- Warm-season grasses for Georgia<\/a><\/li>
- Best grass seed for North Georgia<\/a><\/li>
- Best grass for Middle Georgia<\/a><\/li>
- Best grass seed for South Georgia<\/a><\/li>
- How to choose the best grass type<\/a><\/li>
- More Georgia resources for your lawn<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
The regions of Georgia<\/span><\/h2>
Georgia is divided into five different physiographic regions with different soils, altitudes, and planting zones. The five regions of Georgia<\/a> are: <\/p>
- Coastal Plain<\/li>
- Piedmont Region<\/li>
- Blue Ridge Region<\/li>
- Ridge and Valley Region<\/li>
- The Appalachian Plateau<\/li> <\/ul>
The Coastal Plain is located in south Georgia and is generally the hottest region in the state. The Piedmont area, spanning across central Georgia, also experiences a warm climate and includes almost 1\/3 of the state\u2019s land. North Georgia, where the climate is colder than the rest of the state, encompasses the Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, and the Appalachian Plateau.<\/p>
Now, let\u2019s go through the best grasses for Georgia and what regions are the perfect match for each. <\/p>
Cool-season grasses for Georgia<\/span><\/h2>
Growing well in colder climates, cool-season grasses<\/a> are the best options for the northern portion of the state. Some species, like perennial ryegrass, can also be used statewide to overseed Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass for temporary winter lawns.<\/p>
Tall fescue<\/span><\/h3>
![\"tall](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tall fescue is the best overall fescue option for Georgia. Although this grass is a great choice for northern Georgia, it is best adapted to the Piedmont region and is considered one of the best grass types for Atlanta<\/a>. <\/p>
And if you want grass that stays green all year in Georgia, tall fescue is your perfect choice. Tall fescue<\/a> has a beautiful dark green color that lasts all year, although it thins out in the summer.<\/p>
This cool-season grass can successfully grow as far south as the Griffin area or even further south in shaded or protected areas. For homeowners, the turf-type tall fescue cultivars are preferred instead of the Kentucky 31 cultivar.<\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit<\/p>
Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate to High<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch. Spring applications of pre-emergent herbicides are necessary to control common weeds in Georgia<\/a>. Tall fescue prefers fertile and well-drained soil and may need reseeding every few years.<\/p>
Mowing height:<\/strong> Set mowing height to 2 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall.<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained. <\/p>
Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5 to 6.5<\/p>
Soil type:<\/strong> Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage. <\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend<\/a> (5000 sq ft)
\u2013 Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix<\/a> (7 lb.)<\/p>Kentucky bluegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1.jpg\")
Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Adapting well to the mountain areas of northern Georgia, Kentucky bluegrass<\/a> has fine-to-medium bright green leaves. Although it does not perform as well as tall fescue, it is still a viable option for homeowners. If you seed it with tall fescue, you can improve its performance for a top-notch lawn. It does not tolerate heat well.<\/p>
Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes<\/p>
Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low (but it grows best in partial shade in Georgia)<\/p>
Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs. It does best in partial shade but can grow in full sun with enough irrigation since it has a high water requirement in Georgia. It is also prone to diseases and thatch build-up.<\/p>
Mowing height:<\/strong> Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches. <\/p>
Potential for disease:<\/strong> Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut.<\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-7.5<\/p>
Soil type: <\/strong>Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed<\/a> (3 lbs.)
\u2013 SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)<\/p>Perennial ryegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"pyrennial](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1.jpeg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass<\/a>, and rough ryegrass are used throughout Georgia as temporary winter lawns. <\/p>
Although named \u201cperennial,\u201d perennial ryegrass is actually used as an annual grass in Georgia. Seeded in the fall, it provides a dark green color in winter and spring, dying out in the heat of late spring or early summer. Annual ryegrass, on the other hand, usually dies by mid or late spring.<\/p>
Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Has a bunch-type growth habit<\/p>
Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High<\/p>
Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant. It germinates quickly.<\/p>
Mowing height:<\/strong> Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches<\/p>
Potential for disease:<\/strong> High. Common diseases include gray leaf spot, red thread, and leaf spot\/melting out.<\/p>
Soil pH: <\/strong>Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but prefers between 6 and 7. <\/p>
Soil type:<\/strong> Prefers good drainage and fertility, but can tolerate some poor drainage. <\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<\/p>Warm-season grasses for Georgia<\/span><\/h2>
Used across Georgia, warm-season grasses<\/a> are particularly adapted to the state’s Piedmont and Coastal Plain areas. Well-suited for the higher temperatures, they grow rapidly from spring to early fall (May to October).<\/p>
Bermudagrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/bermudagrass.jpg\")
Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Grown in a variety of soils, Bermudagrasses can be established throughout Georgia. Common Bermudagrass<\/a> is widely used in home lawns because it is easily established by seeding. But if you\u2019re looking for better performance, some hybrid cultivars have improved shade tolerance and disease resistance.<\/p>
While you can\u2019t buy hybrid cultivars as seeds, there are still high-performing common Bermudagrass cultivars that you can choose. Among the best Bermudagrass seeds for Georgia are the Southern Star, Jackpot, Riviera, Savannah, and Majestic, which have all performed well in Georgia soils.<\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons and rhizomes<\/p>
Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low; thrives in full sun<\/p>
Drought tolerance<\/strong>: High <\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High<\/p>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong> If fertilized appropriately, it requires frequent mowing due to the fast growth rate. Difficult to control around flower beds and borders. Develops thatch easily and needs regular fertilization. It prefers full sun and grows best with at least eight hours of sunlight.<\/p>
Mowing height:<\/strong> Set the mowing height between 0.5 and 1.5 inches for hybrid Bermudagrass cultivars. Mow common Bermudagrass down to 1.5 to 2.5 inches.<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Good resistance to disease, although diseases are common; low resistance to insects<\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-6.5<\/p>
Soil type: <\/strong>Tolerates most soil types<\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass<\/a> (10-lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/p>Zoysiagrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Zoysiagrass](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass.jpg\")
Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Zoysiagrass can be cultivated statewide, with several cultivars available in the state. It is an excellent choice for home lawns and forms a dense turf (although it has a slow growth rate). Considered a low-maintenance grass, Zoysiagrass is one of the easiest grasses to grow in Georgia.<\/p>
Because it thrives in full sun and high temperatures, Zoysiagrass<\/a> is a great option for those living further south in the state in cities like Savannah. If your Georgia yard gets lots of shade, Emerald Zoysiagrass is considered the best Zoysia for shade.<\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by: <\/strong>Stolons and rhizomes<\/p>
Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate to High<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High, but recovers slowly from damage<\/p>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Requires less nitrogen fertilization than other warm-season grasses, although it’s prone to thatch build-up. Prefers full sun. The Emerald cultivar is more vulnerable to winter injury from Atlanta northward.<\/p>
Mowing height:<\/strong> Set mowing height between 1 and 2 inches.<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Good disease tolerance overall<\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-6.5<\/p>
Soil type:<\/strong> Well-draining, some cultivars are more tolerant of a wide range of soils than others. <\/p>
Grass Plug and Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)
<\/a>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)<\/a>
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)<\/a>
\u2013 Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/p>Centipedegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"centipedegrass](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/centipedegrass.jpg\")
Michael Rivera<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Best adapted to central and south Georgia, centipedegrass<\/a> can also be cultivated statewide. It is a relatively low-maintenance grass, as its nitrogen needs are on the lower side. However, this does not exclude the need to fertilize the lawn as needed, since centipedegrass can also decline when not properly maintained. <\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons<\/p>
Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate <\/p>
Drought tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Mow short and fertilize with a zero-phosphorus fertilizer. One to 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet is usually enough for the year. It is susceptible to large patch disease during spring, so protective fungicide application is recommended.<\/p>
Mowing height: <\/strong>Set the mowing height between 1 and 2 inches.<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Good resistance to diseases and insects<\/p>
Soil pH: <\/strong>5.0 to 6.0, making it well-adapted to most Georgia soils<\/p>
Soil type:<\/strong> Acidic, infertile, at least moderately good drainage (very dense clay soils produce poor results).<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds<\/a> (1 lb.)
\u2013 Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass<\/a> (3.75 lbs.)
\u2013 TifBlair Centipedegrass<\/a> (5-lb. bag)<\/p>St. Augustinegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/St.-Augustine.jpeg\")
Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> St. Augustinegrass is the best warm-season grass for partial shade. If you\u2019re also looking for a moderate- to fast-growing turf for the Piedmont and the Coastal Plains, St. Augustinegrass<\/a> is the way to go. You may see home lawns with St. Augustinegrass in the Atlanta area, but know that this is a cold-sensitive option with a slow recovery in spring.<\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by: <\/strong>Stolons<\/p>
Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate. It is the most shade-tolerant warm-season grass. <\/p>
Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate to High<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Because of its fast growth habit, St. Augustinegrass needs frequent mowing. It also needs regular fertilization. The amount of nitrogen required ranges from 2 to 5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year, depending on where you live. For the Piedmont, the lower end of this range is enough. <\/p>
For south Georgia, where the soils tend to be sandy and the growing season is longer, the upper end of the range is needed. But be mindful that overfertilization can lead to thatch problems.<\/p>
Mowing height<\/strong>: <\/strong>Set the mowing height between 3.5 and 4 inches.<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate to high <\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-7.5<\/p>
Soil type:<\/strong> Tolerates many soil types; prefers moderately fertile and moist (not waterlogged) soils; doesn\u2019t tolerate soil compaction<\/p>
- Cool-season grasses for Georgia<\/a><\/li>