So, you've decided you want a beautiful lawn. How do you go about making that happen? If you already have a lawn, you need to learn about the type of grass you have and what it needs to thrive. If you are about to add a lawn, you need to know what grasses do best in our area, right? Living in Tulsa or elsewhere in the Eastern Oklahoma region, we can get scorching summers or cold winters, so finding the grass that works best in our climate can make all the difference year-round. Join us as we identify the common types of grasses that are in our area and break down the pros and cons of each type. By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of what your current grass needs or which grass might be the best fit for your new lawn. As always, we're here if you need us. Contact your Nutri-Green Lawn Care service team for advice.

tall fescue grass in tusla, ok

Warm-season vs. cool-season grasses

Before we dive into the specific grasses in Tulsa, let's discuss warm-season and cool-season grasses. Understanding the difference is important when choosing the right grass for your property.

Cool-season grasses
These grasses thrive in cooler temperatures (think 60°F to 75°F) and love growing in spring and fall. However, when the summer heat hits hard, they struggle. You need to be prepared to do extra watering to keep them going through a Tulsa summer.

Warm-season grasses
These grasses love the heat. They are perfect for Tulsa's hot, dry summers. They flourish when the temperatures are high, but come winter, they go dormant and can turn brown until the warmth returns.

Now that you know a bit about warm-season and cool-season grasses, let's look at the common grasses found in Tulsa. We'll walk you through the benefits of each and where you might run into some challenges.

Bermudagrass

Let's start with Bermudagrass. This is probably one of the most popular choices in Tulsa—and for good reason. It's a warm-season grass that loves our summers and stays strong even when the sun's blazing down.

Pros:

  • It loves the heat: This grass is made for our climate. It handles Tulsa's hot summers like a pro.
  • It is tough as nails: Whether you've got kids running around, pets digging, or heavy foot traffic, Bermudagrass can handle it.
  • It is water-friendly: Once it's established, you don't have to worry too much about extra watering because it is drought-tolerant.

Cons:

  • It needs full sun: If you have a lot of trees or shade, Bermudagrass will not be happy.
  • It spreads like crazy: You must stay on top of it, or it might start creeping into places where you don't want it, like flower beds.
  • It goes into winter dormancy: What does this mean? It turns brown when it cools down. You've got to be okay with this seasonal shift.

Kentucky bluegrass

Next up is Kentucky bluegrass, a cool-season grass. You'll love how lush and green it looks in the cooler months, but you'll need to give it extra care during our hot summers.

Pros:

  • It's gorgeous. Kentucky bluegrass is the grass for you if you want a rich, green lawn that's soft underfoot.
  • It tolerates shade. If you have some trees casting shade, this grass will still grow, unlike some warm-season options.
  • It is self-repairing: It has rhizomes, which means it fills in bare spots over time.

Cons:

  • It needs more water: Our summers are tough on Kentucky bluegrass. It needs a lot of extra watering to survive the heat.
  • It is not heat-friendly: In peak summer, it might go dormant, so you'll have to baby it a bit.
  • It is high maintenance: You need to fertilize and water it regularly to keep it looking lush and green.

Tall fescue

If you want a cool-season grass that can withstand the heat a little better, check out tall fescue. This grass has deep roots that help it withstand drought and summer heat better than other cool-season varieties.

Pros:

  • It handles the heat well: This grass can take the heat in Tulsa better than Kentucky bluegrass.
  • It has deep roots, which means it can reach water even when conditions are dry, making it more drought-resistant.
  • It requires less fertilization: Compared to other cool-season grasses, it's a bit easier to care for.

Cons:

  • It is a bit clumpy. Tall fescue grows in clumps, so to achieve a more even look, you need to overseed it regularly.
  • It has only partial shade tolerance: It does okay with some shade but won't thrive in heavy shade.
  • It has a coarse texture: It's not the softest grass out there, so if you want something that feels nice to walk on, this might not be your 

Zoysia grass

Finally, we've got Zoysia grass. This is another warm-season grass. Like Bermudagrass, it does well in our hot summers, but it handles partial shade better.

Pros:

  • It is heat and drought-tolerant: It can handle hot Tulsa summers without a problem.
  • It does great in shade: Zoysia performs well in areas that get a mix of sun and shade.
  • It offers some help with weeds: Its thick growth crowds out weeds naturally, which is always a bonus.

Cons:

  • It grows slowly: Zoysia takes its sweet time to get established. It's worth the wait, but patience is key.
  • It goes into winter dormancy: Like Bermudagrass, it turns brown in the winter, so be ready for that.
  • It isn't cheap: This grass is a bit more expensive to plant than other grasses.

Contact Nutri-Green for professional lawn care today

There you have it—a breakdown of the most common grasses in Tulsa. Whether you're leaning toward the heat-loving Bermudagrass or considering the shade-friendly Zoysia, it all comes down to what will work best for your yard.

The team at Nutri-Green Lawn Care knows what lawns in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, and throughout Eastern Oklahoma need. Whether you're starting fresh or maintaining what you've got, we're here to help with expert advice and industry-leading lawn care services. If you're ready to take the next step that will make your lawn the envy of all your neighbors, give us a call. We look forward to helping you have the best lawn you've ever had.

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