The Best Types of North Carolina Grass for a Perfect Lawn
Struggling to grow a healthy lawn? You may not have the right grass.
Just like any plant, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to growing grass. After all, not all grasses are the same, as many require different climates, nutrients, and soil to flourish.
The type of grass you should be growing completely depends on where you live. Because North Carolina has several regions with their own unique climates and soils, we’re dividing up our list of the best North Carolina grass for each, covering the Mountain region, Piedmont region, and Coastal Plain region.
Below we're breaking down the climate and soil type of each region to give you clarity on which North Carolina grass will grow best for you. Together, these factors will help you grow the lawn of your dreams!
A note: These North Carolina grass types will also apply to our friends down in South Carolina, as the regions are somewhat similar!
The Western Mountain Region
The Western tail of the state is known as the Mountain region, home to the Appalachian Mountains. This part of the state has the highest mountain range this side of the Mississippi, so your grass needs to be able to endure colder temperatures.
Best Grass Type for the Mountain Region
These are the recommended varieties to grow in the Western part of North and South Carolina.
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Perennial Ryegrass
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Kentucky Bluegrass
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Tall Fescue
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Fine Fescue
Mountain Region Climate
If you’re located out West, your lawn specifically needs cool-season grass varieties that can survive in cooler temperatures. These grasses grow best during the fall and spring seasons, around 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit, but will still stay green during the cold winter.
The only downfall to using these grass types is that they don't do well in high temperatures. Luckily, the Western region of the Carolinas generally doesn’t get hotter than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mountain Region Soil Type
Soil in this region is known to be loamy, containing sand, silt, and a small amount of clay. Generally, this type of soil holds more nutrients than most and is well-draining — every gardener’s dream! Loam is a great soil for plant growth and will help your North Carolina grass grow thick and healthy.
The Central Piedmont Region
North Carolina’s Piedmont region is the largest out of the three. This area consists of low rolling hills set on top of a wide plateau. Temperatures are somewhat mild and very humid, so the grass you choose will need to do well in a high-moisture environment. The best grasses for this include both cool-season and warm-season types.
Best Grass Type for the Piedmont Region
If you live in the Piedmont area, lucky you! You have eight grass types you can choose from. Research each type and decide which one you think would look and grow best on your property.
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Perennial Ryegrass
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Kentucky Bluegrass
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Tall Fescue
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Fine Fescue
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Bermuda
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Zoysia
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Centipede
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St. Augustine
Use our blog, How To Choose The Right Grass For Your Lawn, to determine which North Carolina grass type will work best for your yard!
Piedmont Region Climate
Thanks to a moderate and wet climate, your grass options double in the Piedmont. Monthly temperatures range from 32-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and there’s a significant amount of rainfall in the central region, with over 100 wet days per year. So be sure whichever grass you choose likes water!
Piedmont Region Soil Type
In the Piedmont area, you’ll find what’s known as Cecil soil, a well-draining and fertile soil consisting of two layers: sandy loam and clay loam. This soil is very deep and well-draining, so it’s great for a variety of land uses, especially growing grass!
The Eastern Coastal Plain Region
Best Grass Type for the Coastal Plain Region
Below are the four best grass types for the Coastal Plan region. It’s somewhat difficult to grow a lawn near the ocean because of the soil and climate, so the choices are limited compared to the Piedmont.
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Bermuda
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Zoysia
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Centipede
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St. Augustine
Coastal Plain Region Climate
Coastal climates are the warmest of the three regions, which is why only warm-season grass is recommended. Fall and spring are fairly warm, while summers are even hotter. Any grass you plant in these areas needs to tolerate high heat and high humidity levels.
Coastal Plain Region Soil Type
Soil in the Coastal Plain is known as Sandhill soil, which has low levels of organic matter and is very dry. Unfortunately, this type of soil isn’t the best for growing grass because water moves through it so quickly. Because of this, lawns in this area usually show symptoms of nutrition deficiency. To fix these issues, lay sod or incorporate organic matter into your soil, like compost or manure, to make it more nutrient-rich.
Tending to Your North Carolina Grass
Choosing an appropriate grass species and taking good care of it is a fine art. You need to think about maintenance like mowing, water levels, fertilization, aeration, and so on to keep your North Carolina grass happy and healthy year-round.
For expert lawn service, be sure to schedule a service with us today.
This content was originally posted in 2018 and was refreshed in 2020.