Grass Types for Lawns in Little Rock, AR

There are certain types of grass which can be grown in Little Rock, AR. Arkansas is located in what is called “the transition zone.” What this means is that both the warm season grass types such as Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, and St. Augustine, and the cool season grass types such as Bluegrass and tall fescue can be grown for each season. Here are explanations about each kind of grass, why it’s commonly grown on lawns in Little Rock, and when to grow them.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda

This grass is a warm season grass with a deep and extensive root system. It adapts exceptionally well to hot climate such as Arkansas. A lawn that is planted with Bermuda grass can be covered entirely within one year. If the grass is applied in plugs or grass seed, it can be showing green within 60-90 days. However, when the temperature drops to a frost temperature, the Bermuda grass will go dormant. It will turn brown and then, in the spring, resume its growth. This grass also has a great recovery ability and doesn’t need much maintenance.

Zoysia

This grass does wonderfully in the hot and humid Little Rock, AR climate. It has a fine to medium leaf texture of dark green and a thick, cushiony feel. Zoysia grass is also an eco-friendly grass and requires less water, mowing, and chemicals to survive. It’s also resistant to pests and disease, so there isn’t a need to use chemicals. Since this grass grows by spreading stolons or “runners” it grows sideways in different directions instead of growing up; it crowds out weeds. Because of this lateral growth, Zoysia does not require as much mowing as other grasses. In fact, it needs about 2/3 less mowing. Another use for this grass is for on slopes and other areas of high erosion because of the way it grows.

Recommended: Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Seed

Centipede

This grass came from Southeast Asia and introduced to the United States. Centipede grass is an all-purpose, low-maintenance, slow growing grass which has fair to good shade tolerance. It’s also drought tolerance, adapts well to sandy, acidic soils and doesn’t require much maintenance. It also spreads by stolons, has a coarse texture, short upright stems which grow to a height of three to five inches. It requires less mowing and will survive a mild cold temperature. However, with light freezes, it will turn brown, and hard freezes will send it into dormancy, but it will refresh its green color when the temperature rises.

St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine

This grass adapts well to the humid and warm climate of Arkansas. It’s dark green, tolerates shade, cold and disease. However, it won’t remain green doing drought conditions without being watered. It does have a problem with cinch bugs and poor wear tolerance.

Bluegrass

Kentucky Bluegrass is a cool season grass and can be grown from seed or sod. It’s often used in a traffic area which has low to medium traffic, and it’s usually mixed with other grass seeds. When combined with other grasses it produces a multi-purpose lawn of better quality. This is the lawn grass that most people want in their yard because it’s finely textured and lush.

Tall Fescue

This grass adapts well to the transition zone in the United States and Canada. It does well where the weather is too hot for other grasses that are cool season, Plus, it does well in the transition zone where the weather is too cold for warm season grasses. Tall Fescue is shade tolerant, develops a deep root system and uses less fertilizer. It will remain green all year long in a climate which is cooler. If the area is too hot in the summer, it will go dormant and be a paler shade of green. Fescue can also be used for overseeding for both warm and cool lawns.

Finding the right grass to grow on your lawn in Little Rock may take a little research, but it’s worth it to have a lush green lawn. Need help understanding your grass types care? Visit our Little Rock lawn care page for more information.

Lisa Rodriguez

Posts by Lisa Rodriguez