Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time to enjoy your lawn! If you live in a warm climate, selecting the best grass for hot weather is essential for keeping your lawn looking great. There are different types of warm season grasses, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. In this blog post, we will discuss the best grass for a hot climate and provide tips on how to maintain your lawn throughout the summer months!
What Are Warm-Season Grasses?
Warm-season grasses are ideal for many parts of the United States despite a varying climate. These plants are native to tropical regions and can withstand temperatures between seventy-five and ninety degrees Fahrenheit. As such, they do particularly well in southern and southeastern states as well as in certain parts of the midwest where there is not always excessively high heat.
Gardeners wanting to keep their lawns green in both the summer and winter months can achieve this by existing overseeding grass with either warm-season or cool-season grass seed; they then repeat this process when the seasons change again, giving them a protective and continuous layer of verdant coverage.
Discover the Five Most Popular Types of Warm-Season Grass
Selecting the correct grass for your environment can provide you with a stunning and verdant outdoor area that all will appreciate. With this in place, you are sure to be able to savor the summer months! As you contemplate warm-season grasses for your landscaping project, here are a few types to consider:
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is widely used throughout North America for lawns and other landscaping purposes. It is resistant to drought and loves sunshine, making it perfect for climates that see both extremes. It can also take on heavy foot traffic with ease, as well as springing back quickly when given a bit of water after a long dry period.
If you have Bermuda grass, it's important to remember to frequently give your lawn a trim during the growing season to help ensure its healthy long-term growth. Finally, if you live in climes with warm winters, Bermuda grass will go dormant - however, you can easily prevent that by overseeding the area with ryegrass to keep your lawn looking luscious all year round!
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass is best known for its drought tolerance, which makes it ideal for hot, dry climates. It's a warm-season grass that grows best in temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit and can handle low amounts of water. It creates a thick, lush green turf and holds up well to foot traffic.
Zoysia stands out among other popular warm-season grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, Centipede, and Bahia. All of these types struggle in different heat levels and require increased maintenance compared to Zoysia due to their delicate nature when it comes to soil moisture.
Buffalo Grass
Buffalo grass is one of the best warm-season grasses when it comes to surviving in hot summer weather. Native to the Midwest, this grass is a drought-tolerant variety that requires full sun and very little water once fully established. It got its name from its long-standing history on the plains, where it was used to feed herds of buffalo as they roamed in this area.
Although it's durable and doesn't need additional fertilizer or herbicides, it's best kept five inches or longer since it doesn't tolerate foot traffic well. Legacy is a cultivated version of Buffalo grass bred especially for low-water landscaping and has been known to be more resilient than other types of warm-season grasses.
Centipede Grass
Centipede grass is a great warm-season grass for warmer climates. It best thrives in soil with an acidic pH level between 4.5 and 6.0 and does best with plentiful rain or in areas that receive some shade. Unfortunately, it does not tolerate drought well, so it should be planted carefully in areas with minimal moisture exposure.
Also, due to its delicate nature, centipede grass does best when it does not receive a lot of foot traffic – making it best for larger yards without heavy traffic from people or pets! It is certainly one of the best types of grass for warm weather climates, but there are other options, such as St. Augustine and Bermuda grasses, if you don't have the ideal conditions for growing centipede grass.
Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is best suited for areas with hot weather, as it grows slowly and requires less frequent maintenance than many other common types of warm-season grasses. Its thick stalks produce multiple blades and make it easier to stand up against heavy traffic. It thrives best in soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5, but it does have limited cold tolerance, so regions with freezing soil should not plant this type of grass. When taking into consideration the various types of warm-season grasses, St Augustine can be the best choice for hot climates due to its hardy nature and slow-growing capabilities.
Wrapping Up
Whether you decide to install one of the five best grass for hot weather we've listed here or another type that suits your needs, getting the right lawn for hot climates can be tricky. In either case, it's important to keep in mind that proper soil preparation and maintenance are still key factors to ensuring a lush and healthy lawn, no matter which type of grass you choose.
If you're ever unsure or would like help with any steps along the way, don't hesitate to call CS Designer Landscaping– we can help with everything from grass selection to installation and even provide upkeep advice. With the right maintenance strategy in place, there's no reason why you can't have a lawn that looks beautiful each and every summer season! We can be your go-to team to make your lawn look stunning even during those hot summer days! Good luck!