Is your lawn damaged and in need of an upgrade? You may want to consider investing in a variety of grass that can withstand all types of weather and activity. Keep reading to learn which 7 varieties are the best grass for high traffic areas.
Best High Traffic Grass Types: Overview and Costs
1. Bermuda Grass
Overview
Bermuda grass is a highly durable grass type that comes with deep roots and a quick growth rate. Its durability makes it the best grass for fields with heavy traffic like golf courses. Bermuda grass also fairs well in warm weather climates because of its drought tolerance. This type of grass ranges in color from blue-green to gray-green to dark green.
Cost
Bermuda grass sod is sold for $160 to $385 per pallet or $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot.
Watering Requirements
Bermuda grass requires at least 1.5 inches of water per week during the growing season and only 1 inch of water every 3-4 weeks when the grass is brown and dormant. The goal of watering Bermuda grass is to moisten the soil down to a depth of 4-6 inches so that deep root growth occurs.
Growth Stages
During the winter, Bermuda grass is dormant and brown but still alive. By early spring, your law will begin to wake up, and green shoots will start to show up. In late spring, with temperatures rising into the 80s, growth accelerates, and the Bermuda grass begins to spread and thicken. As summer arrives, temperatures hit the 90s, and a full sun appears, your grass will surge in growth. Bermuda grass will continue to grow throughout the summer and slow during the fall as frosty temperatures take hold.
Best Variety for High Traffic
Common Bermuda grass, also known as seeded Bermuda grass, is the best grass for high traffic. Although it has a lower shoot density than other varieties, common Bermuda grass has a higher nutritional value and grows thicker, which allows it to withstand high foot traffic. Common Bermuda grass is regularly used on lawns, public parks, and sports fields.
Other Considerations
Bermuda grass must be fertilized every month during summer in addition to its watering needs. While this variety of grass rarely has pest problems, weeds have the potential to grow during the winter. In colder weather, Bermuda grass also becomes more sensitive to high traffic.
2. Zoysia Grass
Overview
Zoysia grass is a durable warm weather grass with a dense growth pattern. It thrives in many different soil types, but it requires more maintenance than other grass varieties. Zoysia grass is also more susceptible to diseases.
Although zoysia grass varies in color and texture, it usually ranges from light to medium green. It grows quickly in warmer temperatures, providing a thick lawn during the spring and summer seasons.
Cost
Zoysia grass costs $180 to $270 per pallet or $0.40 to $0.60 per square foot.
Watering Requirements
Zoysia grass generally requires 1 inch of rainfall or irrigation per week. Infrequent and deep watering encourages the growth of drought-resistant roots.
Growth Stages
Zoysia grass should be planted in late spring when daily temperatures are consistently in the 70s, and the winter frost has lifted. After 14 to 21 days and good growing conditions, Zoysia seeds germinate and provide beautiful green grass until the cold weather returns with the first fall frost.
Best Variety for High Traffic
The Meyer Zoysia seed variety is the best Zoysia grass for high traffic and can withstand cold temperatures. It is native to Japan and features a dark green color with a wider blade than other zoysias.
Other Considerations
Zoysia grass has a low drought tolerance and will go dormant quickly without proper irrigation in warm weather. Accordingly, Zoysia grass requires lots of maintenance and needs to be fertilized relatively frequently. These grass seeds are vulnerable to insects, and large patch disease may activate when the soil reaches 65 to 75 degrees.
3. Kentucky Bluegrass
Overview
Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season type of grass that is extremely popular if you are seeking durable, beautiful grass. Although it has a shallow root system, this grass grows into a dense turf, protecting it from heavy foot traffic. Kentucky bluegrass provides a picturesque turf that is soft, smooth, and ranges in color from blue-green to emerald.
Cost
Kentucky bluegrass costs $160 to $180 per pallet or $0.35 to $0.40 per square foot.
Watering Requirements
Kentucky bluegrass seeds require 1 inch of water per week to maintain a healthy green color and active growth. Make sure to thoroughly water your lawn when needed, allowing moisture to soak down to the roots. You should also avoid light watering this kind of grass because it promotes shallower root systems and weed problems.
Growth Stages
The best time to plant Kentucky bluegrass seeds is during the early fall, and then it takes between 14 and 30 days for the seeds to germinate. This variety of grass grows well in the cooler months.
Best Variety for High Traffic
Scotts bluegrass seed mix is a variety that produces fine grass blades, grows well in full sun, and tolerates high traffic.
Other Considerations
Kentucky bluegrass doesn’t have the best drought tolerance, and it goes dormant during extended droughts. Although it can withstand high traffic well, this variety of grass requires lots of maintenance. In fact, if it receives low nutrients, this kind of grass can suffer delayed growth and stripe rust. Finally, Kentucky bluegrass has a moderate to high potential for disease.
4. Perennial Ryegrass
Overview
Perennial ryegrass is the most durable variety of grass, so it is the most popular grass for golf courses in northern climates. This is a kind of grass with tough blades and a strong root system. As well, it withstands heavy foot traffic, is fast-growing, and is drought-resistant. Overall, perennial ryegrass is a great low-maintenance grass type that can be used for overseeding during cooler months.
Cost
Perennial ryegrass costs $180 to $425 per pallet and $0.40 to $0.85 per square foot.
Watering Requirements
You should ensure that perennial ryegrass seeds get 1 inch of water every 10 to 14 days. In southern climates, this kind of grass requires about 1 inch of water per week.
Growth Stages
Perennial ryegrass can be planted at the beginning of the spring or the end of the summer. This type of grass takes 5 to 14 days to germinate.
Best Variety for High Traffic
Regenerating Perrenial Ryegrass tolerates heavy foot traffic and has outstanding recuperative abilities. It far outperformed traditional perennial ryegrass and remains resilient during sport and recreational turf usage.
Other Considerations
Using perennial ryegrass to oversee Kentucky bluegrass or other grass seeds can strengthen your lawn and repair bare spots. People like perennial ryegrass because it doesn’t require much maintenance and has a very low potential for disease.
5. Turf Grass
Overview
Turf grass encompasses a number of species of lawn grass that are meant to be mowed and stepped on often. These mixtures of grass seeds are customized to tackle problems such as disease susceptibility, a lack of drought tolerance, or the inability to withstand heavy traffic.
There are three types of turf grass mixtures:
- Cool season grasses: this grass type prefers the less intense summer weather in the North.
- Warm season grasses: this variety thrives in the hot and humid weather of the South.
- Transition zone grasses: this kind of grass fairs well in moderate climates.
Cost
The average cost of turf grass is about $0.06 to $0.20 cents per square foot.
Watering Requirements
You should water turf grass daily to keep the soil moist after planting it. As the lawn fills in, you can switch to watering twice a week.
Growth Stages
You can expect turf grass seeds to germinate within 7 to 21 days under proper conditions. It may take an additional 3 to 4 weeks before the grass is ready for mowing. It is best to plant your new lawn in the spring in warmer climates. You can wait until the fall to plant your new lawn in colder climates.
Best Variety for High Traffic
There are a number of different mixtures of turf grass available for purchase. Black Beauty Heavy Traffic Grass Seed is among the best seed mixtures for withstanding heavy traffic.
Other Considerations
Although turf grass is a very durable grass, you should be aware that it requires frequent mowing, water, raking, weeding, and fertilizing. These requirements can become a hassle in hot weather and when you’re headed out of town.
6. Tall Fescue Grass
Overview
Tall fescue grass is a great option for high-traffic lawns. It has coarse blades with deep roots and is adaptable to changing temperatures and water availability. Although tall fescue grass is a cool-season grass type, it is also very drought-resistant. Tall fescue ranges in color from medium to dark green.
Cost
Tall fescue grass ranges in price from $0.39 to $0.59 per square foot.
Watering Requirements
Tall fescue requires a weekly application of 1 to 1.25 inches of water. The wetness of the soil should seek a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Sandier soils may need more frequent watering.
Growth Stages
Tall fescue germinates quickly within 4 to 14 days and establishes relatively easily.
Best Variety for High Traffic
Pennington’s The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend is a tough variety with deep, dense, and thick roots that can thrive in the toughest of conditions. It is one of the best Tall Fescue varieties that can withstand heavy traffic.
Other Considerations
Tall fescue has low maintenance needs and can grow in soil with minimal nutrients. It has a low potential for disease and a high tolerance for insects. Also, you don’t have to worry about thatch because tall fescue stays green throughout the summer.
7. Kikuyu Grass
Overview
Kikuyu grass is one of the strongest and most vigorous grass types in the world. It is a sun lover and is commonly found on football fields thanks to its ability to grow in poor soil types. Kikuyu grass is slightly greener in the winter than other grasses but generally fairs better in warm-weather climates.
Some people don’t love Kikuyu grass because it can easily grow into garden beds and can become hard to remove. On the one hand, its strong root system enables the maintenance of a healthy lawn. On the other hand, this root system is the reason why Kikuyu grass grows rapidly outside its designated bounds.
Cost
Kikuyu grass costs an average of $0.60 per square foot.
Watering Requirements
You should water your Kikuyu grass every 7 to 10 days during the summer months. In the fall, only minimal watering is required. When watering, you should seek to keep the soil moist but refrain from overwatering.
Growth Stages
It takes approximately 10 to 14 days for Kikuyu grass seeds to germinate. You should keep watering for several weeks after germination. Although growth may be slow at the start, this variety of grass will quickly speed up and spread across entire yards if not controlled. New lawns should be planted anytime from the spring until the fall.
Best Variety for High Traffic
“Kenda” is the best variety of Kikuyu turf and has great drought tolerance. It is commonly used in recreational areas like parks, golf courses, sports fields, and race courses.
Other Considerations
Many people like Kikuyu grass because it does not produce as many seed heads and pollen as other kinds of grass. These features are useful for people who suffer from seasonal allergies.
Final Thoughts
This article has explained which 7 varieties of grass are best for heavy traffic. Not every homeowner has the time to put in the effort needed to have a lush green lawn. If you don’t have the time or energy, a professional lawn care company can come to the rescue.
