If you’re sodding a lawn and are trying to make decisions about the best grass type for your property, you probably have some important questions.
Even though we do not handle sodding, we work on many lawns and have extensive knowledge of warm-season grasses for North MS. We receive many questions about grass types and are always happy to help!
Keep in mind that the type of grass that you have is also going to impact the way your lawn responds to lawn care. Certain grass types simply respond better to different products than others.
Does Zoysia Grass Stay Green Longer Than Bermuda in Mississippi
Which Grass Is Better for High Traffic Yards in New Albany, MS
How Often Do You Need to Water Zoysia vs Bermuda in Mississippi Summers
Is My Lawn Care Company Customizing My Plan to My Grass Type
This is something that many homeowners (and unfortunately, even some lawn care “pros”) don’t fully understand. But without this knowledge, it’s easy to have unrealistic expectations.
In this article, we’re looking specifically at Bermuda vs. Zoysia for Mississippi lawns. These would be our two top picks, so it makes sense to compare these options.
Here at Lawn & Pest Solutions, our top two grass choices are Bermuda grass and Zoysia. They are both warm-season grasses that are pretty tolerant of our local conditions.
We care for many lawns, so we have seen many different grass types, and these are the two we feel perform best overall. But if you have another grass type, we can determine what will work best for your lawn and its needs.
In general, we find that people with lawns not well-suited to our area end up disappointed. Our hot summers and mild winters can mean that many cool-season grasses will not perform well here.
We also have heavy clay soils in North Mississippi, which many grass types would struggle with. Some warm-season grasses, such as Bahiagrass and Carpetgrass, struggle with this soil type.
It’s critical to have reasonable expectations for your grass type.
If you have somehow ended up with a grass species that is always going to underperform in our region, it’s important to understand this. No amount of lawn care treatments can fix this issue.
It’s valuable to work with a lawn care company that is transparent with you and helps set realistic expectations.
If you’re trying to narrow it down to Bermuda vs. Zoysia, you might be wondering which is best. As with most choices in life, there are going to be pros and cons to weigh, and that’s the case with the debate over which grass type is best: Bermuda vs. Zoysia for Mississippi lawns.
One of the big “pros” is that Zoysia forms a thicker “carpet” than Bermuda. It is slower-growing and thicker-growing, which many homeowners prefer. This is also why it’s often considered a “luxury” or “premium” choice.
However, a downside to Zoysia is that it is much less forgiving and usually does require more maintenance. If you’re looking for low-maintenance lawn grass in Mississippi, then Zoysia might not be right for you.
Bermuda does have a finer, more wiry feel (not the “carpet-like” feel of Zoysia), which some may consider a downside.
But it is a durable grass type that can withstand much more use than Zoysia. If you have kids or pets, this may be the way to go.
At the end of the day, the grass type that is right for you is a highly personal choice. If you are sodding a lawn, don’t hesitate to talk to a lawn care pro about what might be right for your property (and you!).
Both are warm-season grasses, so they are affected by frost at the same time in the fall and also enter dormancy at relatively the same time.
Zoysia might stay green a little bit longer, but it also tends to green up a little bit later than Bermuda.
The best grass for New Albany, MS, homeowners who use their yards heavily is definitely Bermuda grass. This is THE choice for high-traffic yards.
That’s why it’s the grass type that is often used on sports fields and golf courses. It grows more aggressively (filling in quickly) and can tolerate wear and tear.
Zoysia can cost up to twice as much as Bermuda sod.
Since it does not spread as aggressively as Bermuda, sod farms cannot grow it as quickly. This is why it has the reputation of a more “premium” or “luxury” grass choice.
Zoysia vs. Bermuda shade tolerance might also be a consideration if you live on a shady property.
Bermudagrass does not grow very well in shade. This grass type is never a choice for shady areas, as it requires at least 8 hours of direct sunlight in the summer to perform at its best.
Zoysia can tolerate at least partial shade, surviving with as little as 4 hours of direct sunlight. Filtered shade (through trees) might also work for Zoysia, though it might not be as thick in these spots.
Keep in mind that all grass needs at least some sunlight (even if filtered) to survive and thrive. Warm-season grasses in North MS generally require sun to perform at their best.
If you’re specifically seeking drought-tolerant grass types in Mississippi, then Bermuda might be your best choice.
In general, warm-season grasses in North MS only require watering during periods of drought. Bermuda will withstand dry periods much better than Zoysia. In addition, Zoysia will require water sooner than Bermuda.
If you do start supplemental watering, aim to water for long periods, no more than 3 days per week. Occasional long, deep watering sessions are far better than frequent, short or shallow ones.
Yes, your lawn care company SHOULD be customizing your plan to your grass type.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that they are. Some lawn care companies just use blanket products on every single lawn, without adjustments based on grass type. This is easier and cheaper for them, but it could mean that you end up with subpar results. As we’ve mentioned, products do respond differently to different grass types.
This is why you want to make sure you choose a lawn care company that cares about your results and customizes its lawn care plans for optimal success. A good lawn care company will pay attention to your grass type and make the necessary adjustments.
It is very important to choose a lawn care company that pays attention to detail (such as the type of grass you have). That means doing your research and evaluating the companies that you’re considering.
These days, it’s easy to research companies online. The About Us page is an excellent place to start your research and learn more about the company you might be hiring to care for your lawn.
When you’re on the website, look at what kind of resources the company offers in terms of education and advice. Helpful tools, such as blog articles and videos, mean that the company cares about educating you about your lawn. This is a sign that they want to see you succeed and form a partnership in the care of your lawn.
Online reviews are another way to research a lawn service before hiring. Third-party review sites like Google Reviews give you an inside look into how other people would rate the company that you’re considering.
Look for companies with a rating of 4.5 stars or higher and a large number of reviewers. It becomes increasingly challenging to maintain a high rating as the number of reviews increases.
Putting in this effort ahead of time will help ensure that you’re happy with the results.
We’d love for you to consider Lawn & Pest Solutions for your lawn care. We care deeply about our clients and want to see them happy with their results. That means educating them about their grass type and what they will need to get the lawn they desire.
Ready to learn why Lawn & Pest Solutions could be your choice for lawn care services in North Mississippi? We’re excited to learn more about you and help you have the best lawn on the block. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we can prepare a customized plan that is perfect for you and your lawn.