The Best Grass for a Sandy Loam Yard

Sandy Loam Soil

• Sandy, loam soil provides the optimal planting medium for grass, according to the Washington State University Extension and The Lawn Institute. The best mixture contains 60 to 70 percent sand and 30 to 40 percent silt and clay. Aim for a slightly acidic pH level of 6.0 to 7.0. Amending sandy loam soil with organic materials such as compost or aged manure can further improve the growing conditions for grass.

Recommended Cool-Season Grasses

• The best type of turf grass for a sandy, loam landscape depends on the particular cultural characteristics of the region and factors such as intended function, environment, wear on the grass and the overall desired appearance. Cool-season grasses grow best at temperatures between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in warm climates, cool-season grasses may thrive on north-facing slopes or in shaded sites. The North Carolina State University Extension recommends several cool-season grasses, including tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue and ryegrass, while the Washington State University Extension recommends tall fescue and perennial ryegrasses.

Recommended Warm-Season Grasses

• Warm-season grasses grow in 70- to 120-degree temperatures. However, a warm-season grass may thrive in a cool climate when planted in a sunny, southern or western exposure. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture recommends warm-season grasses including common and hybrid bermuda, centipede, zoysia and St. Augustine grasses.

Ornamental Grasses

• Several varieties of ornamental grasses thrive in sandy, loam soils. These grasses require little maintenance, don’t need to be mowed and provide color and movement to a yard. One such species is muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), a clumping grass that grows to 4 feet tall. It has semi-evergreen foliage that turns bronze in fall and produces purple flowers. Muhly grass also tolerates clay, acidic, alkaline and flooded soils. Tender fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) also grows well in sandy, loam sites. This deciduous grass grows to 4 feet tall and produces 1-foot-long inflorescences atop 3-foot-tall stalks. It prefers full-sun exposures. Sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri) also thrives in sandy loam. This salt-tolerant evergreen has thin, wiry foliage and grows to 4 feet tall with a spread up to 20 feet. It tolerates a range of soils and prefers sunny sites.