North Carolina offers the perfect environment to grow lush, vibrant grass. With an average annual rainfall of approximately 50 inches and mild temperatures, the soil in this region has all the components necessary to help various types of grasses flourish.
If you’re looking to add a bit of life to your lawn, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the best grass varieties for North Carolina and how to properly plant them for a lush landscape.
Best Grass Seed for North Carolina
Here are the 4 best grass seeds for North Carolina:
1. Bermuda Grass Seed
Bermuda grass is the ideal choice for lawns in North Carolina, due to its tolerance for the hot and humid summers that typify the region. This hardy grass grows well in areas exposed to full sun, and can handle periods of both drought and heavy rain.
It does need to be planted in well-drained soil, however—so if you are unsure if the soil in your area has proper drainage, it may be a better idea to use a sandy soil mixture.
Maintaining Bermuda grass requires some effort, but is generally quite simple. It needs little fertilizer, and watering requirements depend on the weather in your area.
Bermuda grass is vulnerable to weed growth, so regular mowing during the spring and summer months is recommended to prevent weeds from taking hold. Ultimately, with a little bit of upkeep, Bermuda grass can provide you with a beautiful, green lawn all year long.
2. Zoysia Grass Seed
Zoysia grass might be the ideal lawn for North Carolina! Not only can it withstand the hot, humid summers of the South, but it is also extremely drought-tolerant and can thrive in hot, dry areas exposed to full sun.
However, certain soil types are not compatible with zoysia grass. Heavy clay soils, as well as sandy soils with poor drainage will not provide the optimal growing conditions for your lawn. If drainage is an issue, it’s best to consider planting your grass in sand instead.
With its coarse texture and deep green hue, zoysia grass makes a beautiful lawn – although it may not be as dense as some other varieties. Fertilizing your zoysia regularly will keep the grass lush and healthy all year long.
3. Centipede Grass Seed
Centipede grass is an ideal choice for lawns in North Carolina due to its ability to thrive in the hot, humid climate of the South. Unlike Kentucky bluegrass, it has a fine texture and won’t get too tall – typically not exceeding 4 inches – making it ideal for shaded areas.
Additionally, it spreads its roots deep into the soil, preventing erosion from rainstorms and other potential damages. It also survives on infrequent watering, giving homeowners more time between each session, and its deep root system means less fertilization is required.
All these qualities make centipede grass a great option for lawns in North Carolina and I highly recommend it over most types of turfgrass seed available today.
4 . Tall Fescue Grass Seed
When it comes to lawns in North Carolina, tall fescue is one of the best choices. Its coarse texture and ability to stay at a maximum height of 3 inches means it won’t shade out any other plants around your lawn.
Its deep roots do an excellent job of preventing soil erosion from heavy rainstorms. As an added bonus, tall fescue does not require excessive watering or fertilization. Its deep roots are able to reach the necessary nutrients naturally, making it a great pick for busy homeowners.
Tall fescue is becoming increasingly popular among today’s turfgrass options and it’s easy to see why! With its low maintenance needs and resilience in harsh climates, tall fescue is definitely the way to go if you’re looking for a lush North Carolina lawn.
North Carolina’s Climate & Soil Conditions for Growing Grass
Here are 3 tips (explained in detail) you should know about North Carolina’s climate and soil conditions if you’re interested in growing a lawn:
1. North Carolina’s climate is humid and hot.
The soil in this area has a sandy and acidic pH, making it difficult to cultivate grass without frequent irrigation. In addition, the high clay content in the soil makes traditional sowing techniques ineffective, as it is nearly impossible to dig through the dense clay.
However, with the right methods and maintenance, one can ensure that even this seemingly unforgiving soil will nurture a lush green lawn over time.
With careful watering, digging, and fertilization, it is possible to make this environment hospitable for grass to grow, creating a beautiful landscape for years to come.
2. The best time of year to plant grass seeds in North Carolina is from March to May.
Planting grass seeds during the ideal weather conditions can be a great way to give your yard a lush, green look. During the summer months, when the soil has less moisture and the heat can be intense, planting grass seeds can still be done with success.
Taking the right measures and ensuring there are not too many weeds already growing in your yard is key.
For example, watering the seeds more often and making sure the area is well fertilized will help the grass grow faster and stronger. Doing this can save time in the long run and help you achieve the perfect lawn.
3. Grass Seed Characteristics That Are Suited for North Carolina
To find the ideal grass seed for North Carolina, it is important to find one that thrives in the wide range of growing conditions found within the state.
Not only should the seed be able to handle shade, partial shade, full sun, and drought, but also the climate extremes of North Carolina’s humid summers and cold winters.
The grass will need to be able to adapt to various habitats across the state and remain resistant to common pests like chinch bugs, mole crickets, grubs, and nematodes that can damage lawns.
Ultimately, finding the right grass seed will help homeowners maintain beautiful and healthy lawns while saving time and effort.
3 Tips for Growing Grass in North Carolina
Here are 3 tips explained in detail for growing grass in North Carolina:
1. Planting for the season
North Carolina weather offers its residents a unique opportunity to experience two distinct and varied seasons.
Summertime brings soaring temperatures and harsh sunlight, which is best suited for grasses such as Bermuda that are intensely heat-tolerant and drought-resistant. Fescue is an ideal choice for fall, as it is adept at both hot summers and cold winters.
Wintertime in the Tar Heel state can be particularly intense; tall fescue and perennial ryegrass prove to be well-suited for the decrease in temperature, as their hardiness allows them to withstand the colder months without succumbing to death.
As the frost abates come spring, these specific grasses will return to bloom quickly and healthily.
2. Fertilizing
Living in North Carolina can be great when it comes to taking care of your lawn since the weather is generally moderate.
From April through September, or until the first frost, you should aim to fertilize your lawn at least once a month.
However, come October and November, resist the urge to fertilize and instead let your lawn rest up so that it can be healthier and ready to go when spring arrives.
By doing so, you will be ensuring a beautiful lawn all year round!
3. Irrigation
Although North Carolina may not experience scorching heat like some other states, it can still get quite warm during the summer months.
To ensure your grass stays green and healthy, you should be regularly watering it using an irrigation system with a timer. Not only can you set how long the system cycles on each time, but you can guarantee that no water goes to waste.
For best results, the best time to water is early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This will also help keep any fungus from developing in the lawn.
When to Plant Grass Seed in North Carolina
Planting grass in North Carolina during the early spring is the perfect time to ensure your lawn grows to its fullest potential. The warm soil temperatures create an ideal environment for absorbing water, allowing the roots of your new seedlings to take hold and thrive.
However, if you do wait until after May 1st, it’s important that you don’t use any seed stored for more than a year as this could lead to more fertilizer being needed to get the grass growing.
Late summer or early fall is the next best choice for optimal grass growth in North Carolina. Not only will the cooler soil keep the roots of your seedlings safe from burning, but planting at this time helps to avoid competing with weeds and pests that become rampant during the hot summer months.
So if spring has passed or simply isn’t an option, opting for late summer or early fall is your best bet for a lush, healthy lawn.
FAQs
What is the easiest grass to grow in NC?
Growing grass in North Carolina can be a breeze, especially with Bermuda and Buffalo grass.
Bermuda is one of the easiest to grow, as it will thrive in all soil types, even with heavy traffic conditions. It is important to ensure that it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight in order to prevent it from turning brown.
Buffalo grass is also an option, but requires a bit more maintenance – though, with the right care, it too can do quite well in the state.
Both Bermuda and Buffalo grass can offer lush green lawns to homeowners who are looking for the perfect outdoor aesthetic.
What type of fertilizer should I use?
To ensure your lawn remains lush, green, and healthy through the summer months, using a slow-release fertilizer with balanced NPK ratios of either 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 is recommended.
A single application every three months during spring, summer, and fall will keep your lawn adequately nourished.
However, if you’d like to apply more frequently, it should be done no more than every two weeks, as too much fertilizer can burn your lawn’s roots.
If you’ve maintained a previous fertilizing schedule and have an established lawn, then applying a post-season maintenance fertilizer once a year is sufficient.
When should I plant grass seed in NC?
Planting grass seed in the fall is the optimal way to get a great, lush lawn. When preparing for your fall projects, be sure to get your grass seed ready.
Planting grass seed in the fall offers many advantages. Not only does the soil tend to be warmer during this time of year, it’s also drier, making it easier for the seeds to germinate. And you don’t have to worry about getting wet feet while planting or having your newly seeded lawn killed by a late frost.
That said, there are some challenges to consider. The cooler temperatures found in many areas during the fall may limit your ability to get good germination on the seed, so be mindful of the climate conditions when you plant.
Also, the chances of weeds competing with the grass seed can be higher in the fall. However, by taking the right steps and following proper practices, you should be able to get a healthy and successful stand of grass.
What types of grass seed should I use?
If you’re looking for the best grass seed for your lawns in North Carolina, you’ve come to the right place. From Kentucky Bluegrass to Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue to Tall Fescue, Bentgrass and Creeping Red Fescue, our local home improvement store or garden centers have all of the grass seeds you need.
For lawns in North Carolina, we highly recommend using fine fescues such as Chewings (which includes chewings fescue) or Hard Fescue. Chewings fescues are known to be extremely drought tolerant and grow well in most areas of North Carolina.
However, if you live in the Sandhills area, we suggest using a different type of grass seed. Hard Fescues are particularly beneficial in this area due to their deeper root systems which enables them to survive droughts better than Chewing’s fescues.
So, for homeowners in the Sandhills area, we suggest you go with Hard Fescue over Chewing’s. Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll have the perfect grass seed for your lawn!
What is Carolina blend grass seed?
Carolina Blend is a carefully composed mix of perennial and annual grasses sourced from the southeastern United States.
This blend of grasses is ideal for winter grazing for livestock, but it can also be planted at any time of the year, from early spring through to late summer.
With this versatile blend, farmers and ranchers can expect maximum yield from their pastures, no matter what season it is.
The diverse combination of grasses found in Carolina Blend helps to promote a healthy and sustainable environment for livestock, and enables animals to receive the best nutrition throughout the growing season.
Is fescue good for North Carolina?
S.C. Fescue is an incredibly versatile warm-season turfgrass that has been a native to the southeastern United States for hundreds years.
It is often hailed as an ideal choice for many North Carolina homeowners due to its abundance of beneficial qualities, such as its ability to thrive in heat and drought conditions as well as its dense, lush growth.
In fact, it has been used in the area for more than a century, but only in the past two decades has it become increasingly popular for use as a residential lawn grass.
Its deep root system allows it to stay green and healthy even during extreme weather conditions, making it a great option for those looking for a durable yet beautiful lawn.
Why do people plant fescue?
Fescue is an easy to establish grass that spreads through stolons, or above ground runners, meaning that establishing it is a breeze.
Unlike other cool season grasses, fescue thrives in shady and dry areas where bermudagrass cannot grow well.
Fescue is much more economical compared to other turfgrasses, due to its wide adaptation, low maintenance requirements, and the fact that it can tolerate low mowing heights of half an inch or less.
This makes it an ideal choice for golf course fairways in regions where soil pH changes with depth or winter hardiness is an issue.
It is also often used for residential lawns because of its affordability, though it does require more attention during periods of stress in order to avoid weed and disease invasion.