If you’ve been reading my column for some time now, you may have heard me talk once or twice (or perhaps more often!) about cool season grasses, especially as it relates to winter grazing. I had some grading work done on my property in the fall and we used an annual ryegrass as a ground cover, but as April fades into May, it’s time to start thinking about establishing a more permanent lawn. Most lawns in Georgia are going to be warm-season, perennial grass species. Warm season grasses grow best during the spring, summer, and fall when temperatures are between 80-95°. They can be annual grasses that die off after a season but the most common lawn species are perennial, which will persist over time. Warm season grasses turn brown and go dormant in the winter and in cooler temperatures.
There are four warm season grass species that are recommended for lawns in our area of Georgia. The first species is Bermudagrass, which can be common or a hybrid variety. Some of the benefits of bermudagrass are its tolerance of heat, drought resistance, fast establishment, and tolerance of a variety of soil types and textures. Common bermudagrass can be established from seed, while most hybrid varieties need to be established using vegetative methods like sod, sprigs or plugs. The hybrid bermudagrass varieties offer greater disease and weed resistance, a finer texture, and better turf density than common bermudagrass does. The biggest downfall to bermudagrass is that it is not shade tolerant and the common variety is susceptible to disease issues.
Another popular species is Zoysiagrass. There are a wide array of varieties and cultivars of Zoysia available in Georgia, which means there is some variation in color, texture, and adaption to different regions. Benefits of Zoysia include its dense, fine blades, tolerance of shade and a wide soil pH range, and ability to be propagated with both seeds or vegetative means. The biggest downfalls to Zoysia are that it is slow growing which requires more investment on the front end to develop and maintain the lawn and its tendency to produce high amounts of thatch.
The third species for our region is Centipedegrass. Centipede is one of the lowest maintenance grasses on the list, and requires little pH and fertility management once established compared to other species. Centipede produces a bright green, medium leafed turf, performs best in full sun but is tolerant of some shade, and is established from seed or sod. Unfortunately, centipede is subject to some transitional issues in the spring, diseases, and overall decline if not managed properly.
The last grass species is St. Augustinegrass, which is more popular in South Georgia. Benefits of this species are its fast growth rate, coarse, dense blades, and tolerance for heat, salt, and drought. St. Augustine can only be established by vegetative methods and is not tolerant of any wear or compaction. It is also a cold-sensitive species, so planting it in Lincoln County might pose a risk of cold damage or dieback in some of our harsher winters.
As with any agriculture endeavor, if you are looking at establishing a new lawn or overseeding an existing lawn, be sure to soil test and make any amendments well before trying to add warm season grasses. If you need help selecting a grass species or preparing your soil, let us know at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233.
