Warm-season grasses thrive in hot, dry climates. They grow most vigorously in the summer and often lie dormant after first frost. Even if you live in a cooler climate, sow warm-season grass seed in lawns with sunny southern or western exposures or on sloped planting sites, as they hold less moisture. Warm-season turf grass seed for sand and dirt mixtures include common and hybrid Bermuda grasses, centipede, St. Augustine and zoysia.
Cool-season grasses grow vigorously in the spring and fall. Many species lie dormant during hot, dry summer months but stay green through the winter. Choose cool-season grasses for shaded sites and northern or eastern exposures. Cool-season turf grass seed for sand and dirt mixtures include Chewings, hard or red fescue; Kentucky bluegrass; perennial ryegrass; or blends of these seeds.
Many species of ornamental grasses can also be sown by seed. Ornamental grasses don’t require mowing and require less irrigation than turfgrass. Warm-season grass seeds that thrive in dirt and sand include beard grass (Andropogon virginicus), a sun-loving grass that tolerates poor soils and drought. Beard grass grows to 4 feet tall and turns red, purple and orange in autumn. Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) tolerates sandy soil and drought and grows to 2 feet tall. It has threadlike foliage and produces silver inflorescences in fall. Weeping love grass (Eragrostis curvula) also grows well in sand and dirt. It grows to 3 feet tall and produces arching, light-purple inflorescences in late summer.
Many cool-season ornamental grasses produce showy inflorescences in spring or fall, adding to their colorful, textural appeal. Species that grow well in dirt and sand include Indian rice grass (Achnatherum hymenoides). This North American native grows to 2 feet tall and has narrow foliage. It requires full sun exposures and lies dormant in summer. Sand love grass (Eragrostis trichodes) grows in 2-foot-tall clumps. It blooms with pink-to-yellow flowers atop 3-foot-tall stalks. Blue fescue (Festuca cinerea) thrives in sandy sites and has blue-green foliage. This 1 1/2-foot-tall evergreen grass produces beige-to-yellow seed heads.