The Best Types Of Summer Grass To Plant In Arizona

Warmer temperatures are right around the corner which means it’s time to start planting your summer grass. Selecting the right type of grass for your yard is important and involves many factors. First, you have to know what kind of grass grows best in your region. Arizona, for example, lies within the transitional grasses region, which means typically we require cool-season grass for the winter and warm-season grass for the summer. 

You’ll also have to factor heat and drought tolerance, how resilient it is to foot traffic, how much sun it requires if it does well in the shade and what kind of pests it might attract. If this seems overwhelming, you can always get help from landscapers in Phoenix who know all the tips and tricks for lawn care. 

Otherwise, we’ve provided some helpful information on grasses that are all well suited for the Phoenix desert and would make a great addition to your yard. 

Bermuda Grass 

Bermuda grass is exceptionally heat and drought tolerant and can withstand heavy foot traffic with the ability to recuperate quickly. Part of its resilience is due to its root system which can reach down 6’ or more. This means, not only is it well suited for the desert, it’s also a great choice for families, pets, and sports fields. It’s a perennial grass, meaning it goes dormant in the cooler months and becomes active again from late spring through summer. Bermuda grass requires regular maintenance otherwise it can be prone to special pests which may require pest control. 

Bermuda Grass at a Glance 

• Best for warm-season and transitional zones
• Requires full sun and good drainage.
• Durable
• Heat and drought tolerant
• Requires regular maintenance and possibly pest control

If you want to know when to plant Bermuda grass in Arizona, professionals say springtime is the best when temperatures hover around 80 degrees. 

Zoysia Grass

A popular alternative to Bermuda grass is Zoysia grass. This type of grass grows more slowly so it requires less maintenance, less water and less fertilizer. On the other hand, despite growing more slowly, it can be invasive and more likely to develop thatch. It’s not a very picky grass, so it’s tolerant of heat, drought, heavy use, and a wide range of soil types. 

Zoysia at a Glance

• Tolerant of most things
• Slow growing
• Requires full sun (will thin out in the shade)
• Low maintenance 
• Prone to thatch 

St. Augustine Grass

If you want beautiful, low-maintenance grass, you want St. Augustine grass. Another heat-tolerant grass, it establishes quickly, requires minimal mowing, and a wide range of soil. While it prefers full sun, it’s one of the more shade-tolerant of the warm-season grasses making it perfect for backyards. On the downside, St. Augustine grass requires regularly scheduled fertilizer applications, is prone to insects and plant disease, doesn’t hold up as well to heavy use and is difficult to find in seed form. 

St. Augustine at a Glance 

• Low maintenance 
• Full sun and shade tolerant
• Prone to bugs and disease
• Requires a strict fertilization schedule 
• Propagated via sod not seed

Once your grass is established, it’s always helpful to have professionals come in and regularly maintain it. They can also help you with weed and pest control, and make sure your grass stays healthy and taken care of.