Bermudagrass
Full sun, tough and fast to recover from wear, which makes it great for active families and dogs. It goes dormant and turns tan in winter, and it struggles in shade. Keep it mowed short, about 1 to 2 inches.
Zoysiagrass
Dense and soft, with good heat tolerance and more shade tolerance than Bermuda. It's slower to establish and recover, so sod is the usual way to start it. Mow around 1 to 2 inches depending on the variety.
Tall fescue
The go-to for shadier yards. It stays green much of the winter but can thin out in hot, dry summers and often needs overseeding in fall. Mow it taller, about 2 to 3 inches, to help it survive the heat.
Centipedegrass
Low-maintenance and slow-growing, with lighter fertilizer needs. It doesn't handle heavy foot traffic well. Mow around 1 to 1.5 inches.
St. Augustinegrass
Wide-bladed and shade-tolerant for a warm-season grass, but less cold-hardy, so it's less common in our area. Mow it tall, around 2.5 to 3 inches.
Quick picks
- Full sun and heavy use: Bermuda
- Sun to part shade, dense look: zoysia
- Shady yard: tall fescue
- Low maintenance, light use: centipede
Source: University of Georgia Cooperative Extension turfgrass guidance