You want grass that can stand tall, come rain or shine, or in Oklahoma's case, humidity or drought.”
Introduction
In Oklahoma, you've got hot summers, mild winters, and a humidity that clings like a second skin. It's the kind of place that demands grass that can take the heat, laugh in the face of drought, and has roots that run deep.
Think about laying that green carpet in spring or fall. Why?
That's when Oklahoma enjoys cooler temperatures and the soil is still whispering secrets of moisture. It's just the right kind of comfy for new grass to settle in.
Most of the good grass-growing action is centered in the heart and east of Oklahoma. It's a bit more forgiving there climate-wise, which is why your grass will thank you.
Which grasses grow best in Oklahoma?
In the world of landscaping, not all grasses are created equal. Each thrives in a specific climate zone: cool, warm, or transition.
Oklahoma, with its transition zone climate, prefers a particular set of grasses that relish the a wide range of temperatures. The following grasses are the easiest to grow and maintain in Oklahoma:
While it's possible to grow grasses meant for other regions with proper care, attention and timing, these are the most common grasses in Oklahoma for residential lawns.
What is the best time to lay sod in Oklahoma?
For transition zones, consider the type of sod. For warm season grasses, aim for late spring. This gives them a full summer to establish before winter. For cool season grasses, fall is best, allowing roots to develop in mild temperatures. Whichever you pick, avoid extremes of summer and winter. So, late spring for warm grasses, fall for cool ones, and skip the severe seasons.
As you can see in the image below, you'll notice the most shoot growth (the grass above ground) and root growth in the spring and fall for cool season grases and during the summer for warm season grasses:
Best Grasses for Shade in Oklahoma
Set down your sunscreen, friends, because we're headed into the shade. When life gives you shadows, we've got the grass to make your Oklahoma lawn lush.
Zoysiagrass is a champ. This thing's tough. Adapts to any soil and requires little maintenance. Four hours of sunlight is all it takes for this one. Zoysiagrass has a dense growth which resists weeds and diseases. Plus, it's drought-tolerant. Kids playing a rough game of tag won't faze it a bit.
St. Augustine grass is another strong contender on the shade-loving squad. With its broad dark green blades, it's a looker. It loves basking in the shade but can tolerate about six hours of sun, too. It's a thirsty grass, though, so make sure you keep that irrigation system handy, folks.
Then we've got Tall Fescue. Certainly not short on benefits. This grass tolerates both the shade and the Oklahoma heat. A winner against drought, too. Five hours of sunlight and it'll be your lawn's best friend. Plus, it's pretty good on the barefoot-comfort scale.
Last but not least, Kentucky Bluegrass sneaks in. Yep, it's not just for the Bluegrass State. This cool-season grass can take on the shade like a champ, given a solid four hours of sunlight. It's slow to establish but that gorgeous dense carpet of fine-textured dark green makes it worth the wait.
Got some shade on your Oklahoma lawn? These grasses are the starting lineup. Zoysiagrass, St. Augustine, Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass... pick your player. A dark corner doesn't have to be a lawn hassle. Turn it into a green oasis. You've got this. Next up, we'll tackle sod selection for those Oklahoma lawns that bask in the sunnier side of things. Stay tuned.
What grasses stay green year-round in Oklahoma?
As with anything agriculture related, there is some nuance to this question. There are many grasses that can stay green year round in but it depends heavily on your location within the state as well as any microclimates that may exist.
The following grasses have the ability to stay green year round in Oklahoma:
| Grass Type | Caveats |
|---|---|
| Bermuda | It typically goes dormant and turns brown after a few hard frosts in the fall and stays that way until temperatures consistently hit the 60s in the spring. |
| Zoysia | It can stay green nearly year-round in milder climates without severe winter freezes or overly high summer temperatures. |
| Tall Fescue | It typically stays green throughout the year in milder climates, given that it isn't overly stressed by heat or drought in the summer. |
