4 Best Grass Types in Lawrenceville, Georgia

Lawns in Lawrenceville, Georgia, can be as temperamental as the weather. Not all grass types like the sticky, hot summers and rainy winters.

Lawrenceville sits in the Transition Zone, which can make finding the perfect balance of cool-season and warm-season grass types a hassle.

While there are no specific water regulations for Gwinnett County, it’s best to keep an eye on your county resources. The Georgia Water Stewardship Act limits lawn watering to between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. 

With that in mind, here are the four best grass types for your lawn in Lawrenceville:

1. Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is dense and dark green. Its durable nature makes it ideal for lawns seeing a lot of picnics and playdates.  

Classification: Cool-season

Spreads by: Through “tillers” (vertical shoots)

Shade tolerance: Thrives in direct sunlight

Drought tolerance: High (thanks to its deep root system)

Foot traffic tolerance: High

Maintenance needs: Should be fertilized between March and May, and then again between September and December. It rarely, if ever, requires dethatching.

Recommended mowing height: 2 to 3 inches 

2. Bermudagrass 

Bermudagrass is a hardy turf that can stand up to harsh heat and drought conditions. It’s dark green, but its color may dull and turn brown in winter months. 

Classification: Warm-season

Spreads by: Above and below-ground stems (stolons and rhizomes)

Shade tolerance: Does best in full sun 

Drought tolerance: High. It’s deep root system helps it survive in low moisture conditions.

Foot traffic tolerance: High

Maintenance needs: Bermudagrass may require dethatching, fertilizing, and aeration. It also has a high growth rate, which may force you to mow more often. 

Recommended mowing height: 1 to 2 inches

3. Zoysiagrass 

Zoysia has wiry leaves that can add a dense appearance to your lawn. It’s softer than other grass types, making it the perfect choice for picnics or stargazing. 

Classification: Warm-season, but can survive better in cold weather than other warm-season options

Spreads by: Above and below-ground (stolons and rhizomes)

Shade tolerance: Does best in direct sunlight

Drought tolerance: High. It needs only an inch of water a week, but Zoysia will begin to wither if left too long without water. Winter months can cause it to fade if it has gone too long without rain or irrigation.

Foot traffic tolerance: High

Maintenance needs: You’ll need to mow frequently. You should also fertilize Zoysia every six weeks in summer. Dethatching is crucial in spring and fall.  

Recommended mowing height: 1 to 2 inches.

4. Centipedegrass

Centipedegrass is a low maintenance option that will give you a thick lawn. Its blades may begin to yellow in soil that’s iron-deficient.

Classification: Warm-season

Spreads by: Above-ground (stolons)

Shade tolerance: Moderate. It does better in full sunlight.

Drought tolerance: Moderate. While the heat doesn’t harshly affect it, its shallow root system can make it sensitive to prolonged periods between water. 

Foot traffic tolerance: Low. If your lawn sees a lot of pet and kids play, centipedegrass may not be the best choice.

Maintenance needs: Low. But you may need to apply iron supplements to your lawn. You may also want to aerate during the growing season.

Recommended mowing height: 1-2 inches

Main image credit: Gwinnett County Courthouse / DeKalb at the English language Wikipedia / CC BY-SA