What are the Best Types of Grass in Alabama?
Maintaining a lush, green lawn in Alabama can be a challenge, but it all starts with picking the right type of grass. Having a diverse climate, Alamaba falls in the transition zone of the southeast, meaning both warm-season and cool-season grasses can thrive. With the best types of grass and proper lawn care, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn that neighbors will envy! In this blog, we’ll explore the most popular types of grass that thrive in Alabama and how to care for them throughout the year.
How to Choose the Best Type of Grass
Choosing the right type of grass for your Birmingham home is crucial for achieving a green and healthy lawn. It’s important to consider things like climate, which in Alabama can be hot and humid through summer, followed by cold winters. You should also take a look at your outdoor space and consider the amount of sunlight your new grass will receive. Lastly, research the maintenance requirements before choosing your lawn grass. Some turfgrasses require more frequent mowing or upkeep to stay lush and healthy. With the proper lawn care and ongoing maintenance, you’ll be able to take pride in having a beautiful lawn you love! A great-looking lawn adds curb appeal and enhances your Alabama home.
The Best Warm-Season Grasses for Alabama Lawns
Alabama’s warm and humid summer weather is ideal for warm-season grasses that thrive in the south. The best warm-season types of grass in Alabama are Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, and St. Augustine grass. These turfgrasses are known for their heat tolerance and vibrant green color during the hot summer months.
Lawn Care for Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is one of the most widely used grass varieties for home lawns in Birmingham. It’s popular for its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and quick recovery from stress. Bermuda is a fast-growing grass type that spreads by stolons and rhizomes. Due to its fast growth habit, it may require more frequent mowing. Bermuda will always benefit from core aeration in the spring to encourage healthy root systems and alleviate soil compaction.
Bermuda Grass at a Glance
- Lawn Mowing: Recommended mowing height is 1 to 1.5 inches for a neat appearance.
- Full Sun: Best suited for areas receiving full sun.
- Growing Season: Late spring until early fall before going dormant during winter months.
- Pros: Heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and forms a dense turf. Great choice for home lawns with kids or high use.
- Cons: Needs frequent mowing, not suitable for shaded areas.
Lawn Care for Zoysia Grass
Homeowners looking for a type of lawn grass that makes you want to walk barefoot will love Zoysia grass. Zoysia is a great type of grass for Alabama lawns with partial shade and is popular for its rich, green color. It is a slow-growing grass compared to Bermuda, and mowing is recommended about every 7-10 days, as needed. Zoysia develops deep root systems making it fairly drought-tolerant. Aeration is recommended each year to alleviate thatch build-up due to its dense growth habit.
Zoysia Grass at a Glance
- Lawn Mowing: Recommended mowing height is 1 to 2 inches.
- Shade Tolerance: Suitable for partial shade areas.
- Growing Season: Late spring until early fall before going dormant during winter months.
- Pros: Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and adapts well to different soil types.
- Cons: Slower, dense growth can lead to thatch.
Lawn Care for St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that does well in hot areas and sandy soil conditions. It’s especially popular in coastal areas like Florida or the Gulf Coast of Alabama. There are many different cultivars of St. Augustine grass, and ranging appearances of dark green color to emerald green. It is established via sod versus grass seed. St. Augustine has a lower cold tolerance and may struggle in extremely cold temperatures.
St. Augustine Grass at a Glance
- Lawn Mowing: Keep a moderate mowing height of about 2-4 inches depending on the cultivar.
- Partial Shade: Great for full sun but can tolerate partial shade conditions.
- Heat-Tolerant: Thrives in hot summer months.
- Pros: Excellent in hot climates, shade tolerance, forms a dense and attractive lawn.
- Cons: Vulnerable to chinch bugs and regular insect control may be necessary.
Local Lawn Care Services for Birmingham Homeowners
If you’ve picked your grass type, the next step is proper lawn care. Mowing and watering can be a chore in itself, but that’s only half the battle to maintain a healthy lawn in Alabama. For homeowners looking for reliable fertilization and weed control in Birmingham, Mighty Green is here to help. We offer lawn care services that are built for grass types in Alabama. In addition, we also specialize in mosquito control, lawn aeration, tree and shrub care, and more. Contact us today to get a free quote!