Choosing and Growing Lawn Grasses: Cool-Season vs. Warm-Season

Lawn grasses fall into two broad categories: cool-season and warm-season. Each encompasses many species with differing water, fertilizer, and pest-resistance needs. Your climate usually dictates the best choice, though cool-season grasses can succeed in many areas with ample water.

How Grasses Grow

Most spread via creeping stems—aboveground stolons or belowground rhizomes—that send up shoots to form a dense carpet. Uniquely, grasses grow from the base, not the tip. After mowing, blades regenerate from the crown or new shoots emerge from the base.

Handling Shade

Grasses prefer sun. In deep shade, consider alternatives: decorative bark, stone, or shade-loving groundcovers. If lawn is essential, thin tree canopies or remove low branches to increase light. More sun yields thicker turf with fewer weeds and better disease resistance.

Some grasses tolerate shade better: tall fescues and St. Augustine are good choices. Consult a local nursery with diverse grass selections (seed and sod) for shade-adapted hybrids. Mow shady lawns about an inch higher than sunny ones to compensate for reduced photosynthesis. Water and fertilize at rates recommended for the specific grass.