Nothing says summer in Georgia than hosting an outdoor barbecue with family and friends on an incredible manicured green thick lawn. Now how do you get that incredible lawn?
One of the keys is to start by planting the perfect grass for your specific area’s climate and sun exposure. Here are the different types of grasses that thrive in the Georgia climate:
Bermuda
A dense, dark green grass with fine to medium blades, it is the most popular warm season turf grass among Georgia homeowners. Bermuda grass is idea for families with young children and pets because it holds up very well to heavy foot traffic.
- Type: Warm season grass
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to very light shade
Zoysia
Zoysia comes in several varieties ranging from fine to coarse textures. It is a dense, slow-growing grass which requires periodic dethatching. The good news is that it does not need to be mowed. It can tolerant foot traffic as well as high salt levels near coastal salt water.
- Type: Warm season grass
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to very light shade
Centipede
Centipede is a law maintenance, medium textured grass. Centipede grass requires less frequent mowing than other grasses because it grows slowly. Due to the slow growth, it takes longer to mature and fill in a yard after seeding. It isn’t the right grass for heavy foot traffic.
- Type: Warm season grass
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to very light shade
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is a coarse, broad-leafed grass, which has a lower cold tolerance than other warm season grasses and is not often found as far north as Atlanta. It is ideal for areas along the South Georgia coast, and fares well in lawns that receive partial shade because it performs best in moist soil.
- Type: Warm season grass
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Fescue
Fescue matures quickly after seeding and requires frequent mowing. It is finely textured and fast-growing. As a cool season grass, fescue requires more water during the summer than warm season grasses, or it will go dormant. It tolerates shade better than most grasses and is resilient in drought and fluctuating temperatures,
- Type: Cool season grass
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Test / Fertilizing
For best results with your existing grass, conduct a soil test to check the pH and acidity levels. This will help you determine if and what type of grass seed, lime and fertilizer to put down. Your local Pest and Lawn Control Company can perform a soil test for you.
Watering
The goal is to water your lawn properly so that it will grow longer, deeper roots and will be more drought tolerant. Grass needs about one inch of water per week to thrive. It is suggested to water your lawn in the morning once a week so it has a chance to dry between soakings. If you overwater, it increases the possibility of disease for your root system.
Weeding
For a healthy lawn, you’ll need ongoing lawn care that includes using a weed control. To determine what specific weed-control plan is right for your lawn, you’ll need to determine what type of grass and weeds you have. Your lawn expert can tell you and recommend the ongoing lawn care that will give you that incredible manicured green thick lawn that you want.
Mowing
It is recommended that you not remove more than one-third of the height of the grass blade in a single cutting. In the hottest part of summer, mow between ½ inch to 1 inch higher than the suggested lawn height to shade the soil and keep the roots cool. Refer to the recommended mowing height for grasses in Georgia. Remember to keep your blade sharp. A dull blade shreds grass and causes the top of the grass to turn brown.
Enjoy your summer with the perfect lawn for entertaining and relaxing!
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