4 Best Grass Types for Your Lawn in Apex, NC

Although winter is close at our heels, establishing a lush lawn is still at the forefront for many homeowners. Luckily for residents of Apex, NC, our climate is forgivable enough to enjoy cold-weather grass types. It’s also a great time to start planning your lawn goals.

In today’s blog, Peak Sodding goes over the 4 best grass types for your lawn in Apex, NC. We’ll explain the ins and outs of establishing a beautiful lawn and preferred grass types for the unique weather in our area.

Top Grass Choices

Although there are a number of grass types to choose from, only a few are considered to be the best grass for Apex, NC. Tall Fescue, Zoysia, Bermuda, and Centipede are among these few. Choosing the right grass for your area will make all the difference and ensure a beautiful, lush lawn that impresses onlookers and boosts your property value.

Zoysiagrass

One of the most favored grass types is Zoysia. This grass type grows very well in the summer and is considered a warm-season perennial grass. This means zoysia will go dormant and turn brown after the first heavy frost but comes back in early spring. Luckily, the Southern Wake area where Apex is located offers flexibility for zoysia due to later frosts. Zoysia comes in many varieties of color, density, and blade widths, allowing homeowners to easily choose their preferred look.

Pros:

• Ideal grass type for sodding
• Can be planted in late spring and early summer or as late as November to mid-February
• Dense, drought-resistant, low maintenance, and great color
• Higher resistance to weeds, insects, and diseases
• Does better in shade than most warm-season grass types

Cons:

• “Stiffer” leaves may require sharper blades for mowing
• Full sun is recommended, but low shade can be tolerated
• Prone to thatch (organic matter between the soil and crown)
• Loses its green color quicker than other grass types

Bermudagrass

This grass type is one of the more hardy and forgivable of the choices. It is a very popular choice in Southern states due to its ability to endure the heat of Summer with little watering. Bermuda grows more aggressively than its counterparts, allowing it to recover easily from everyday wear and tear. However, Bermuda may have certain drawbacks for homeowners.

Pros:

• Grows rapidly on most soil types
• Recovers from wear and tear quickly (most common for athletic fields)
• Extremely drought resistant
• Fine-texture bermudagrass is ideal for sodding
• A great option for homeowners who prefer short grass (keep it at 0.75-1 inch high)

Cons:

• Invasive of flower beds and surrounding areas
• Does not flourish in cold weather or shaded areas
• Still requires some watering in order to maintain the best colors

Tall Fescue

One of the most popular choices is tall fescue, a cold-weather variety that is well suited for homeowners who want a green lawn all year. It is grass that performs great during the cool months and in shady areas. Fescue may not be for everyone, however, as it comes with higher maintenance needs. That said, a healthy Fescue lawn will most definitely stand out from the rest during those cool Fall/Winter months.

Fescue is easily one of the best grass types for those with shaded lawns!

Pros:

• Requires minimal sun, performs well in medium shade
• Easily started from seed
• Great for busy homeowners with pets or young children (tolerant to moderate traffic)

Cons:

• Sandy soils are not ideal for Tall Fescue
• More prone to diseases like Brown Patch during the summer months
• Does not perform well in temperatures above 80°F
• A small window of optimal seeding time (early Fall is recommended)
• Get your rulers out! Fescue should remain 3-3.5 inches tall and should not be mowed shorter than 2.5 inches.
• Achieving a lush, established lawn can take up to two years after being seeded

Centipede Grass