Types of Lawn Seeds for Southern Lawns

Chose lawn seeds that grow well in your particular climate.

When choosing grass seed for southern lawns, homeowners should keep in mind that the climate is humid and grasses prone to fungus will not fare well. There are many different types of grass seed on the market that will grow well in southern climates.

Types

Several varieties of lawn seeds will work well for southern climates, including St. Augustine, centipede, Bermuda and zoysia. St. Augustine and centipede grass thrive in acidic soil conditions, which makes them well suited for southern lawns. Zoysia grass needs lots of sunlight and can maintain itself with little watering, another good choice for southern lawns.

Considerations

When choosing lawn seeds, consider weather, growing season and the type of soil required for optimum growth.

Sunlight

Some types of lawn seeds do well in the shade while others needs lots of sunlight. Bermuda, centipede and zoysia do well in direct sunlight, while St. Augustine grass does not require a large amount of direct sunlight.

Maintenance

Whatever type of lawn seed you chose for a southern lawn, you will need to perform basic maintenance to keep your lawn healthy, such as fertilizing, pest control and weeding. For St. Augustine, take care that it is not in too shady of a spot, as this can cause root damage. Centipede grass is prone to pest problems so make sure and keep it well weeded. With zoysia grass, the pH level needs to be maintained, so fertilize it well. Bermuda grass needs little specialty care but should have plenty of direct sunlight.

Warning

Make sure to maintain ideal growing conditions for your particular type of grass; otherwise, other varieties may begin to invade and take over your lawn.

References

• American Lawns.com: Grass Types
• Hobby Lawn Care: Lawn Grass Types
• Garden Center Showplace: Types of Grass Suited to the Southern Climate

Resources

• The Riverdale Press: Tips for Growing a Healthy Lawn