The Best Grass Seed For Alabama
Many people want to have the best yard at an affordable cost. But, the reality is that 31% of Americans don't know how to grow a luscious yard that will stay green. The main reason for the lack of beautiful yards is that most people don't realize you cannot plant just any seed in the soil and expect it to grow.
The key to the greenest Alabama lawns: Grass seed that will thrive in your environment. The best grass seeds for Alabama can handle hot and humid climates with a lot of precipitation.
Alabama Seed Growing Conditions and Characteristics
Alabama is a warm and humid statein the southeast region of the United States. Due to the terrain, precipitation, or temperature, Alabama's climate offers many benefits for growing a healthy lawn.
Alabama has six ecoregions, meaning that there are several different climates and terrains for growing grass.
Depending on where you live, your optimal grass seed will change. Southern Alabama homeowners experience more humidity and warmer temperatures year-round, whereas the central and northern Alabama gardeners experience cooler temperatures during the winter and less moisture.
Alabama's average rainfall ranges from 52 to 64 inches of rain, depending on where you live. While the northern regions experience less rain throughout the year, you can guarantee at least a few feet of precipitation. Therefore, you must invest in a grass seed capable of withstanding a lot of water and has excellent drainage.
Part of the allure of living in Alabama is the comfortable temperatures throughout the year — with an average of 64℉. For this very reason, many types of grasses excel in the Alabama climate. So, your lawn needs to be ready for hot weather in the summer and cold weather in the winter.
When to Plant Grass Seed in Alabama
As you search for the best grass seed for your lawn, you need to consider your preferences like maintenance, water, and shade. But before you can plant your chosen seed, you should find out the best time for planting that specific seed.
Alabama is great for warm-season grasses. But, it is also in the transition zone, meaning that both warm and cool-season seeds thrive in the climate at different times of the year. You can also use our Seed Selector tool to discover the two varieties of seeds in your yard: warm and cool-season grasses.
The warm-season grass seeds thrive with warm spring and summer months and humid conditions. As these grass species slowly brown in the colder months, your cool-season grass will populate the yard and keep it looking healthy and vibrant.
Best Types of Grass Seeds for Alabama
Warm Season Grass
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is an excellent choice of grass for southern homeowners. It is highly tolerant of conditions ranging from heat and humidity to high foot traffic. Bermuda grass boasts the traditional medium to dark green color that people love in their yards, and it is incredibly comfortable to the touch.
One important thing you should know is that Bermuda grass spreads quickly. If you don't manicure and limit the areas you want your grass, it will spread to other locations in your yard. To combat this, you have to treat the unwanted roots with herbicide or pluck the unwanted grass from the area.
Buffalograss
Buffalograss is an excellent blend of grass seeds for the southeast region. It is a drought-tolerant grass type, loves the sun, and is soft to the touch. Its drought tolerance is a great asset in the hot summer months because you won't have to worry about your lawn dying in the middle of the year.
It's important to note that buffalograss is exceptionally slow-growing. Investing in this seed can take up to two years for your grass to fully root and establish itself. Therefore, you want to pair it with another type of grass to help retain soil and limit erosion.
Cool Season Grass
To help combat the colder winter months, planting cool-season grass with your warm-season grass will give you a luscious lawn all year long.
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass is the perfect companion to the previous warm-season grasses. This type of grass grows all over the country and excels in the wintertime. Not only does it germinate quicker than any other grass seed, but it maintains a beautiful lawn in both the sun and shade.
While perennial ryegrass does require a lot of water, Alabama's humid climate and moist soil create the perfect conditions year-round. Pairing perennial ryegrass with buffalograss helps the latter take its time growing but provides you with an instantly beautiful yard while you wait.