Bermuda grass is the best overall grass for most Oklahoma lawns due to its heat tolerance, drought resistance, and ability to handle our challenging climate. Zoysia is an excellent premium alternative that offers similar benefits with a finer texture. Fescue works in heavily shaded areas but struggles in Oklahoma’s summer heat. The right grass for your specific lawn depends on sun exposure, maintenance preferences, and desired appearance. Complete Lawn Care tailors our 7-step program to your specific grass type for optimal results.
Oklahoma’s Top Grass Types
Bermuda Grass: The most common lawn grass in the Tulsa area. Thrives in full sun, handles heat and drought well, recovers quickly from damage, and stays green from May through October. Goes dormant (brown) in winter. Best for: Most Oklahoma lawns with full sun.
Zoysia Grass: A premium warm-season grass with finer texture than Bermuda. More shade tolerant (4+ hours of sun), slower growing, and creates a dense, carpet-like lawn. Goes dormant in winter but greens up earlier in spring. Best for: Homeowners wanting a premium lawn appearance.
Fescue (Tall Fescue): A cool-season grass that stays green in winter but struggles in Oklahoma’s hot summers. Requires more water and shade to survive. May need overseeding annually as it thins. Best for: Shaded areas where warm-season grasses won’t grow.
Buffalo Grass: A native prairie grass that’s extremely drought tolerant but has a wilder appearance. Requires minimal maintenance and water. Best for: Low-maintenance properties, rural settings, or eco-conscious homeowners.
How to Identify Your Grass Type
Not sure what grass you have? Here’s how to tell:
Bermuda Grass Identification: Fine to medium texture. Pointed leaf tips. Spreads aggressively via stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (underground runners). Gray-green to dark green color. Goes brown in winter.
Zoysia Grass Identification: Fine texture, almost needle-like blades. Stiff, prickly feel when walking barefoot. Dense growth pattern. Spreads by stolons. Slower to green up in spring than Bermuda.
Fescue Grass Identification: Coarse, wide blades (wider than Bermuda or Zoysia). Bunch-type growth (doesn’t spread by runners). Deep green color. Stays green in winter when Bermuda goes dormant.
Quick winter test: If your lawn turns completely brown in December, you have a warm-season grass (Bermuda or Zoysia). If it stays green all winter, you have fescue or another cool-season grass.
Why Grass Type Matters for Care
Different grasses need different care:
Mowing height: Bermuda: 1.5-2.5 inches. Zoysia: 1-2 inches. Fescue: 3-4 inches. Mowing fescue at Bermuda height will kill it.
Fertilization timing: Warm-season grasses should be fertilized spring through fall. Fescue is fertilized in fall and spring, never during summer stress.
Watering needs: Bermuda and Zoysia are drought-tolerant once established. Fescue needs more consistent moisture, especially in summer.
Overseeding: Fescue often needs annual overseeding to maintain density. Bermuda and Zoysia fill in on their own.
Choosing Grass for a New Lawn
Full sun (6+ hours): Choose Bermuda for low maintenance or Zoysia for premium appearance.
Partial shade (4-6 hours): Zoysia handles moderate shade better than Bermuda.
Heavy shade (less than 4 hours): Fescue is your best option, though it will struggle in summer. Consider shade-tolerant ground covers as an alternative.
Complete Lawn Care’s Grass-Specific Programs
We customize our 7-step lawn care program based on your grass type. This includes adjusting fertilizer formulations, application timing, weed control products, and treatment schedules. When we evaluate your lawn, identifying your grass type is one of the first things we do. This ensures you get the right care for your specific lawn.
Contact Complete Lawn. Care:
Phone: (918) 605-4646 | Email: [email protected] | Online: completelawncaretulsa.com/get-a-quote