What type of grass grows in sandy soil

This double-action, sod-forming growth pattern makes Bermuda grass especially hardy and resilient. It can withstand a lot of foot traffic and grows back quickly even after extreme stress.

Like centipede grass, it is best for warmer climates like what is found in the Southeastern US. However, its high drought tolerance also makes it a great choice for the hot South and Southwest. To keep it looking its best, you will need to fertilize this grass more often than many others on this list.

When it comes to heat-hardy grasses, zoysia grass tops the list. This genius of warm-season sod-forming grasses contains multiple varieties capable of producing deep root systems that allow them to survive in very dry conditions.

The deep root system, a tendency to form dense carpets of sod, and a low nutrient need make zoysia grasses perfect for sandy soils. They have a slightly higher shade tolerance than many sun-loving kinds of grass but still do well in direct sun and high heat. These grasses will remain green through mild drought but will turn a straw-like yellow during exceptionally dry periods and winter. They quickly green back up once temperatures rise or water is applied.

Zoysia grasses are highly adaptable and grow well across the Southern United States up through the Transition Zone. Unlike Bermuda, zoysias are slow-growing and need time to establish those deep roots. In sandy soil, this means more care and attention upfront. But once matured, these grasses require infrequent mowing, only twice-yearly fertilizing, and relatively little water. Bahiagrass is less common in the United States but is well suited to a few very specific areas.

Within these regions, it is known to grow exceptionally well in sandy soil. This grass is the first choice for homeowners in hot environments living on the coast. The deep root system and very low nutrient need allow this grass to thrive along the beach where heat, sand, and salty winds prevent other types of plants from establishing.

While it is superbly built for growth in sandy soil, it does not have the rich color or thick texture of other choices. It grows slowly and in thinner patterning with a coarser feel. It will turn brown in the winter but stays green longer and returns to green earlier than many warm-season kinds of grass. While not the first choice for many, Bahiagrass is often the only choice for those with especially sandy, sun-baked yards.

It is used most frequently in the Deep South and along the Southeastern coast. Fescues are a genius of lawn-like and clumping grasses that are more tolerant of cold and shade tolerant than other sand-loving varieties.

All fescues have a deep root system and require little maintenance or fertilization. They prefer cooler climates and partial shade. Some varieties will not grow at all in hot climates. There are multiple varieties of fescue that do well in sandy soils, each offering something a little different.

Hard fescue is a common fine fescue that is exceptionally hardy in cold climates. It is drought tolerant and does not require much mowing or fertilizing. However, it is a cold season grass and cannot survive in overly hot regions. Creeping red fescue is another fine fescue commonly used for lawns.

It is especially well-adapted to fast-draining, pebbly soil. Tall fescue has thicker, more traditional looking blades than the two fine fescues mentioned above and makes an excellent choice for lawns. It tends to grow in clumps and requires some extra attention to spread seeds evenly enough to encourage a more uniform look.

But it is worth the extra effort for sandy yards with a mix of sun and shade. If shade is more of an issue for your lawn than sandy soil, you may want to take a look at our article on the best grass for shade. While most of the mature established forms of the grasses mentioned above require little maintenance or attention, most do need some extra help getting to that point.

That attention generally comes in the form of more water and more fertilizer. Exactly how much effort you need to put in depends on whether you choose to seed, lay sod, or use plugs. But in any case, expect to spend a significant amount of time preparing your sandy soil to give your grass the best chance at thriving. Once your grass is established, your workload will decrease. Still, growing the perfect lawn in sandy soil will require you to pay closer attention to how often you water, when you fertilize, and how frequently you mow.

Amending sandy soil will help add nutrients and increase its water-holding abilities to give your new lawn the best chance for success. Once you have cleared the intended lawn area of rocks and debris, the first thing you want to do is add nutrients to the soil.

Since sand is low in nutrients, adding a good, rich compost or manure to the topsoil is the best way to assure your young grass gets what it needs to start growing. Spread the compost over the entire area.

Make sure to spread it a couple of inches thick, or more for very sandy soil. Then, use a tiller to mix the compost with about six inches of soil. Since sand is naturally non-compact, there is no need to till too deep. If you live near the ocean or your soil is naturally high in salt, make sure to use only plant-based compost since these will add the least amount of extra salt to the soil. If your soil is especially sandy and precipitation is infrequent, it may be worth mixing peat or vermiculite into the soil, as well.

Zoysia grass is hardy and grows well in sandy soils. However, Zoysia grows and spreads very slowly unless it is fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorous rich fertilizers. You can order fresh plugs online Amazon link to establish a Zoysia lawn, and I usually try to spread some Zoysia seed between the planted plugs to speed up the process. All in all, this process will take you 1 to 2 months, and it will be about 3 months before your yard is in tip top shape.

Clear the yard of debris, such as sticks and large pebbles. Use a rototiller to loosen your topsoil if it is dense or compacted about 4-inches deep. Amend your soil with compost to increase the amount of nutrients in the soil. Once that is done, apply a high phosphorous starter fertilizer and use an iron rake to mix that into your topsoil.

Once the seed is in place, it is time to water your new grass seed. Do it in the fall when you over-seed.

It also provides vital nutrients and microbes to your soil. Often, your local community has a shared compost depository at your brush dump. The town where I live has a great one, and I can get as much screened compost as I need, free of charge unless you count taxes. You can also start a compost bin on your property to compost grass clippings , leaves, and other organic matter to make your own compost.

Either purchase a compost tumbler or bin I have this one that I bought from Amazon and absolutely love , or build your own compost pile by sectioning off a part of your yard with chicken wire or pallets. Sandy soil makes establishing your lawn tricky, but once you have your lawn established with the best grass for sandy soil maintenance of a lawn in sandy topsoil is easy.

The five types of grasses mentioned in this article thrive in dry soil and require very little watering or mowing. Use the light conditions and temperature range of your yard to determine which of these grasses will work best. My favorite it so to create garden beds with hardy native perennials that thrive in dry, infertile soil.

If you have patches or parts of your yard that are difficult for grasses to take hold, I always recommend that before you spend a boatload on grass seed and expensive equipment rentals, you consider turning that spot into a perennial garden bed. Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susans, Hyssop, Russian Sage and Salvias are all beautiful native flowers that look beautiful together, and thrive in most growing zones, require minimal water.

These plants bloom steadily throughout the year and will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your yard. This is a great gift that you can give to pollinators and to the environment.

And by the way, these flowers are also beautiful. But when you install garden beds with mulch, you will lower the amount of grass—and water—that is needed. Plant densely, and you will only have to weed your garden once a year, in the spring. These can be junipers, currants, shrub roses, or bald cypress. I've learned to love caring for my lawn naturally and enjoying it daily. Argentine Bahia, an ecotype from Argentina, makes a more attractive and denser lawn with a dark green color.

Fescue is used extensively in the Transition Zone and is drought tolerant. It has the deepest root system of the cool-season grasses and does well in a variety of chemical soil conditions. In general, Fescue grows in both shade and sun, but grows faster in the shade. There are more than cultivars of Fescue currently available. For sandy soils, Red, Tall, and Hard Fescue adapt well.

Creeping Red Fescue is the most popular; it establishes quickly and fills in empty patches in lawns. Tall fescue provides a medium-quality light green lawn.

Hard Fescue is low maintenance. It grows slowly and needs mowing less frequently. New types of grass are being developed every year.

Your local lawn service provider will know the new cultivars and which is best for your Virginia Beach lawn. Also, check our tips for establishing a new lawn in Virginia Beach. Have questions about lawn care?