Key takeaways
- Tall fescue is green year-round, handles shade and is the most common lawn in Tennessee.
- Bermuda loves full sun and heat, spreads fast and goes dormant and tan in winter.
- Zoysia is dense and soft, slow to establish and tan in winter.
- Each grass has its own mowing, feeding and weed-control calendar.
Tall fescue
Tall fescue stays green through winter, tolerates some shade and is the most common home lawn in Middle Tennessee. It is a bunch grass that thins over time, so it needs overseeding every year or two. It struggles in July and August heat and disease, and it should be mowed at three to four inches.
Fall is its best season.
Bermudagrass
Bermuda needs full sun and heat. It spreads by runners and above-ground stolons, repairs itself quickly and handles traffic. It goes dormant and tan after hard frosts, and it can invade fescue lawns and flower beds. It is fed in late spring and summer and mowed low.
It is the grass of sports fields and sunny yards.
Zoysia
Zoysia forms a dense, soft turf that resists weeds when established. It grows slowly, takes time to fill in, tolerates some shade and goes tan in winter. It builds thatch over time and is fed in late spring and summer.
It is a favorite for homeowners who like a lush look.
Choosing and weed control
Choose by sun, shade, use and the look you like. Weed control follows the grass: the products and timing for fescue are different from those for bermuda and zoysia. Some herbicides that are safe on one can harm another.
We confirm the grass before every treatment.
Official sources and further reading
These are independent organizations. Links open in a new tab.
Quick answers
Which grass is best for shade?
Tall fescue handles the most shade of the three, though even it needs some light.
Can I mix grasses?
Many lawns are mixed already. We plan treatments to protect what is there.
