Tall fescue thrives and looks its best in the spring. The cool-season grass must be watered in the summer, and it still needs reseeding. BILL SEVIER / Courtesy
Q: I have a new home and need to put in a lawn. What are my options? C.J., Tulsa A:
Most of Oklahoma sits in a transition zone between where warm- and cool-season grasses thrive. To select a turfgrass, you first need to look at your landscape and ask yourself these questions: Will the grass be in full sun, part shade or dense shade? Do you have a way to irrigate the lawn, especially in summer? How much time and expense are you willing to put in on the maintenance and upkeep of a lawn?
In our area there are basically five grasses from which to choose. Warm-season grasses - buffalo, Bermuda and zoysia - are in this category because they like the heat. They must be in full sun, though zoysia grass can tolerate light shade. They all have some drought tolerance but still need some supplemental irrigation in summer. Zoysia grass generally needs the most water and buffalo grass the least of the three.
All of the warm-season grasses thrive in the summer but go into dormancy and turn brown in winter. If you see a lawn in winter that is brown in our area, it is one of these three grasses.
All three are capable of spreading and usually do not require reseeding. Bermuda is the most aggressive spreader, and buffalo is the least.
Cool-season grasses - tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass - grow best in spring and fall when it is cool. They will tolerate moderate shade but not total shade. These grasses must be watered in the summer to survive. They do not spread like warm-season grasses.
Fescue and bluegrass stay green all year but enter a semi-dormancy during the hottest parts of summer. In spite of this, there often is some loss of these grasses from disease and drought, and they will need reseeding.
Establishment is best done just before the grass's growing season. For warm-season grasses, this is from mid-April to mid-June. Cool-season grasses may be seeded either in spring or fall, but mid-September through mid-October is by far the best time.
Using sod of each grass type can be done at most any time of the year. Warm-season grasses are more forgiving than cool-season grasses. Use caution if consider laying cool-season sod in the heat of summer. Whichever type you choose, it is essential to keep the newly sodded lawn moist for a few weeks after laying it.
The Tulsa Master Gardener website at
tulsaworld.com/mastergardeners has a wealth of information about establishment and care of lawns in Oklahoma.
Gardening tips
Water compost as needed so that it remains active. Turning the pile and keeping it moist will allow the decay process to generate heat throughout for proper sterilization.
Always follow directions on the labels of synthetic and natural pesticide products. Labels will always list where the product may be used and which pest it is certified to cover.
Watch for high populations of caterpillars, aphids, spider mites, thrips, scales and other insects on plant material in the garden and landscape and treat as needed. Call the Master Gardeners if you need help regarding control of these pests.
For areas being converted to tall fescue this fall, begin killing any Bermuda grass in the area this month with a product containing glyphosate.
If you have a garden-related question you would like the Master Gardeners to answer in a column, call 918-746-3701.
Original Print Headline: Choosing the best type of grass for your lawn
Home & Garden
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