The Best Grass for North Texas
Which Grass is Right for Your Landscape?
Everyone wants a lush, green lawn, but what are the keys to achieving thriving turf in North Texas? The answer to this complex question depends on numerous factors proprietary to your specific landscape conditions and which variety of ground cover you choose to adorn it. The type of soil, amount of sun and shade, time of year, and preferences in both maintenance and aesthetics all play into this consideration. Weed through the variables with us as we assess North Texas grass varieties to help you select the best grass suited for your landscape.
Variable Landscape Conditions
Climate
Sitting within USDA Hardiness Zones 7b–8a, North Texas, as you already know, is prone to long, hot summers with often extensive periods of drought. This limits the options of what we can plant and implores us to utilize more native and well-adapted grasses.
Soil
Soil is one of the top 3 variables that affect what to plant in your landscape. Depending upon where you reside in the DFW metroplex, you may have one of several different soil types. While most register above a 7 on the pH scale, making them alkaline, they still possess numerous differences.
- Blackland Prairie: Most of Dallas and its surrounding metroplex reside within the Blackland Prarie (light gray on the map above). This region boasts a dark clay-based soil that is very fertile, however, it is prone to erosion and cracking, shrinking and swelling during warmer months.
- Eastern Cross Timbers: (dark blue) Mostly stable sandy loam soil that experiences much less shifting
- Grand Prairie: (peach) A mix of clays, limestones, and some silty loams with good drainage
Sun & Shade
How many trees shade your property? Does your lawn receive more or less than six hours of sunlight each day? (Full sun is considered at least six hours of sunlight.) Does your grass bask in the soft morning sun or bake in the hot afternoons? The intensity and length of sun exposure play a crucial role in determining which grass varieties will flourish.
Watering Requirements
Watering requirements vary depending on the soil type and season. Those who prefer a low-maintenance lawn should opt for grass that demands less water or install a smart irrigation system for water management.
Watering tips
- Assess whether your grass needs water by how easily you can insert a shovel or knife blade into the soil.
- Water deeply and less often to establish healthy roots. (Use a soaker hose or run your sprinkler system for longer intervals
- Water in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are the coolest
- Water until the top 6–8 inches of soil are moist.
- Avoid overwatering, which could result in weak roots, diseases, or pests.
- Maintain proper aeration to improve drainage.
- While lawns are more thirsty during the hot months, be sure to adhere to your city’s water conservation guidelines.
- Consult our water management professionals to maintain your lawn’s health and beauty.
Traffic
In order to truly uncover the best grass for you, it’s equally important to consider your lifestyle. Think about the specific activities that might occur in certain areas of your yard. Is it a courtyard that receives very little foot traffic or is it your children’s favorite barefoot play zone? Does the mailman regularly trapse across a particular path or is it your golden doodle’s favorite place to sunbathe? All of these factors should be accounted for when considering different grass varieties.
Best Grass Varieties for North Texas
Here at Bonick Landscaping, our Production Coordinator, Jason Ramsey enlightened us on the best grasses we prefer to procure for our clients. During the warm season, we primarily use 3 main types of grasses: Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia. Each of these has In the cooler months, we utilize Rye and Fescue. Let’s explore the pros and cons and different varieties of each in more detail.
Warm-Season Grasses
Bermuda Grass
One of the most common grasses to find in DFW is Bermuda grass. This dense, sun-loving turf is often used for athletic fields with natural grass as well as lawns. While technically a weed, this durable, fast-spreading perennial ground cover can handle low mowing (1″-2″ height), animal grazing, and high traffic. However, it is rather high maintenance and requires frequent mowing and fertilization. Bermuda grass can be seeded in early spring, following the last frost of the season, or installed in sod squares or rolls. Varieties we use include Common Bermuda, Tif Hybrids, and Celebration.
Bermuda Grass Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable | Invasive |
| Drought-tolerant | High-maintenance |
| Heat/Sun-tolerant | Shade intolerant |
| Disease-resistant | Winter dormant |
| Chokes out weeds |
St. Augustine Grass
Best for shady or partly sunny areas, this wide-blade, medium-green grass boasts a thick, carpet-like texture. More of a diva than Bermuda, it requires extra TLC to maintain, including more frequent fertilization and watering (up to twice as much during summer). It is also less tolerant to temperature extremes. While it grows quickly, its mowing length should be kept at 3″-4″. Varieties we use here in north Texas include Raliegh and Palmetto.
St. Augustine Grass Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Shade-tolerant | Requires more water |
| Drought-tolerant | High-maintenance |
| Heat/Humidity-tolerant | Not suited for traffic |
| Grows in most soils | Cold intolerant |
| Competes with weeds | Susceptible to disease |
Zoysia Grass
The softest of the three, Zoysia is also highly appreciated for its aesthetic properties. Its fine, wispy texture can be mowed or left to wave in the wind. Depending upon the variety chosen, it can range in height from 1″ – 2.5″. Although the upfront cost is higher than most other grasses, Zoysia retains many longstanding advantages. This drought-tolerant sun-seeker also plays well in the shade and requires less maintenance. Varieties we incorporate are Zeon, Zorro, and Pallisades.
Zoysia Grass Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Drought-tolerant | Higher initial cost |
| Heat-tolerant | Slow to establish |
| Shade-tolerant | Aggressive spread |
| Grows in most soils | Winter dormancy |
| Low-maintenance | Requires soil with good drainage |
| Aesthetic appeal | |
| Pest and disease-resistant | |
| Cold-tolerant |
Winter Overseeding
For some, maintaining a gorgeous green lawn all year round is preferable. Overseeding is a great way to add curb appeal when entertaining or selling a home. When warm-season grasses go dormant, overseeding with cool-season grasses can improve its appearance during a lackluster winter. To accomplish this, we spread grass seed over the existing lawn in September to ensure germination before temperatures plummet. Overseeding can enhance thickness, fill in bare spots, and improve a lawn’s overall health and aesthetics. This process can also help avoid erosion from wind and precipitation. However, while overseeding can help grasses transition with beauty and density during spring, it can also pose a threat to warm-weather grasses by competing for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Other drawbacks are additional winter expenses, maintenance, uneven growth, delayed spring growth, and increased potential for breeding pests and diseases.
Ryegrass
Annual Ryegrass has a shallow root system that germinates rapidly and dies off as temperatures flare into spring and warmer-weather grass begins to sprout. This winter grass is more cold hardy than other varieties and tolerates both sun and shade.
Fescue
Due to Fescue’s shade tolerance, it can survive warmer months with varying degrees of success if positioned properly. It’s also especially useful in overseeding. This year, we used Five Star Fescue seed because its blend of five dwarf varieties produces a gorgeous dark green shade, quick germination rate, and excellent disease resistance.
Trust the Experts
With over 40 years of expertise, our landscape maintenance teams can not only assist you in selecting the best grass for your landscape, but they can keep it maintained year-round. From weekly lawn mowing and irrigation services to pest and disease control and fertilization, your dedicated garden manager will seamlessly schedule every aspect of care to ensure a lawn stunning enough to make your neighbors green with envy. Contact us today to begin the process and have the lawn of your dreams this spring.
Resources:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://williamson.agrilife.org/files/2014/08/Turf-Selection-SCS-2009-05lr.pdf
https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/
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