Sod grass has several benefits. It cools the atmosphere, improves air and water quality, prevents floods, and controls erosion. It can be planted all year round, and installable sheets save time. Sod can also handle foot traffic within a few weeks of installation.
The cost of sod grass can be higher than regular grass seed, and it requires professional installation for optimal results. Additionally, there are limited varieties of sod available, and repairing it can be difficult and expensive."
Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass with good heat, drought, traffic, and salt tolerance. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and is easily obtainable year-round. Plant in spring and mow twice a week during peak growth time. Maintain soil alkalinity and give 1-1.5 inches of water.
Centipede grass is a heat-tolerant grass that turns green after a small drought period. It thrives in sandy soil with moderate shade, but is sensitive to alkaline soil. Mow it regularly and avoid leaving stagnant water.
Fine fescue is a cool-season turfgrass that comes in three types. It grows well in low-medium fertility, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. It can be controlled using herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Recommended mowing height is 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Kentucky bluegrass is a fine, dark green grass that prefers fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It has excellent cold tolerance but only moderate heat and drought tolerance, and may need irrigation during droughts.
Ryegrass is a fast-growing cool-season grass that turns green quickly. It can be used for permanent or temporary lawns and is suitable for northern climates. It tolerates some shade and cold, but heat and drought tolerance vary by variety. It prefers a pH of 5.5-7.5, and needs regular watering and fertilization.
St. Augustine grass grows fast and forms a thick cover. It needs an inch of water per week and grows well in full sun or moderate shade. It's sensitive to chinch bugs and may need insecticide. During drought, it needs irrigation. Fungicides and herbicides can control diseases and weeds.
Tall fescue is a deep green cool-season grass that's drought and heat tolerant. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5 and can be grown alone. Mow it to 2-4 inches and reduce nitrogen in summers. Water during droughts
Zoysia grass is a low-input warm-season grass that grows well in the southern and transition zones. It prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade, heat, and drought. It needs 1 inch of rainfall or irrigation per week, and prefers soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0. For an optimum quality lawn, mow it to 1-1.5 inches.
Bentgrass is a cool-season grass that can adapt to cold, humid environments and is suitable for southern transition zones. It needs well-drained soil and light watering. Plant seeds in early fall. Water, fertilize, cultivate, control pests, and mow to keep it healthy. Mow to a height of 3/16 inch, but increase to 1/4 inch in summer to help it handle heat stress.