The Best Grass Seed for Tennessee

Fescues

• A number of fescues are well adapted to growing in Tennessee, as cited by the University of Tennessee Extension. These include tall fescue, chewing fescue, hard fescue and red fescues. All four species are collectively referred to as fine fescues, given their narrow leaf blades. Fescues are perennial, cool-season grasses native to Europe and are well integrated in Tennessee. Fescues prefer to grow in well-drained, deep soil in temperatures of 60 to 75 degrees F. The warmer temperatures and drought in summer slows the growth of the turf. Fine fescues establish very rapidly from seed and are very well tolerant of acidic soils and drought.

Bermudagrass

• Bermudagrass is a mat-forming, warm-season grass with an aggressive growth habit, spreading with both rhizomes and stolons. Bermudagrass is among the most commonly selected grass seed for athletic fields and golf courses in Tennessee. The grass has an extensive root system that makes it adept at surviving in dry and sunny landscape areas. Bermudagrass is likely appear as a weed in tall fescue and zoysiagrasses that grow poorly or are under cultural stress. Bermudagrass has a high tolerance for heat, drought and high traffic.

Perennial Ryegrass

• Perennial ryegrass is a highly competitive cool-season grass that grows ideally in areas with moderate to cool temperatures, such as the coastal regions. Perennial ryegrass has a dark green color and fine texture with a bunch-type growth habit. Perennial ryegrass is used extensively throughout Tennessee as a winter cover in dormant bermudagrass lawns. The variety is also used on golf courses and athletic fields to provide winter color. Perennial ryegrass thrives in Tennessee until the temperatures start to warm up and warm season grasses resume active growth.