Best Grass Types For Sandy Soil

Not every grass type can thrive well in sandy soil. If you live in areas with sandy soils, for example, those close to the beaches of Miami, you will need to plant grass seed that grows and thrives in the sand. Any species of grass can grow in sand provided there is water and some amount of fertilizer in the loose soil. After germination, some types of grass can struggle to grow and spread at a rate but that is expected.

The issue with sandy soil is that it drains quickly and may not retain nutrients and moisture for long. That is why Edenapp highly recommends that you upgrade the soil quality before establishing your lawn in areas with sandy soil. The best grass types that grow on sandy soils include Tall Fescue, Zoysia, Bermuda grass, Bentgrass, Seville St. Augustine, Centipede grass and Bahiagrass. Most of these turfgrasses create deep roots that help them absorb nutrients and water effectively in quick-draining sandy soils. You can utilize their grass seed to establish a lawn near beaches. Let’s see the various sandy soil tolerant grasses in detail:

1. Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is a perennial cool-season grass that requires at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. It has thicker, standard looking blades that are worth the extra effort for sandy yards with a mix of sun and shade. 

Creeping Red Fescue grows best in the well-drained sandy soil, with a pH of 5.5 to 8.0. It is highly compatible with different soil types including gravels, sands, pebble beaches and can grow well along sea coasts and even meadows. Red fescue is a slow-growing grass type, meaning it is low-maintenance turfgrass. However, its peak seasons of rapid growth are spring and late summer. Here is a detailed guide for tall fescue grass. 

2. Bentgrass

Bentgrass is also a perennial, cool-season grass. It is common for Southern lawns and prefers well-aerated soils and full sun exposure. This means that it is one of the best grasses that grow in sand and places with beaches. You can easily grow bentgrass turf with a highly penetrable mixture of sand and organic matter. You can create a bentgrass lawn in the northeastern regions of the U.S. where there are cool and humid climates. Here is a detailed guide for Bentgrass.

3. Zoysia

Zoysia is a perennial, warm-season grass that grows well in sandy soils and is categorized for the USDA plant hardiness zones 6 to 9. Zoysia grass seed is compatible with sandy soil and yards near the beach because it develops deep roots that help it absorb nutrients and water in fast-draining soil types. 

Apart from the deep roots, it adapts well to drought and can grow well with very little water requirements. Therefore, you can grow it in areas that drain water quickly. They are also more tolerant to cold than other grasses listed here.

With regard to growth rate, Zoysia grass grows fairly slower when compared to other turfgrasses such as St. Augustine but will grow quickly when well fed with a fertilizer with high nitrogen and phosphorus content for root development.

They have a slightly higher shade tolerance as compared to many sun-loving grasses but still do well in direct sun and high heat. These grasses will remain green during mild drought but will change to a straw-like yellow through exceptionally dry periods and winter. They quickly turn back green once temperatures rise or water is applied.

Zoysia grasses are highly adaptable and grow well across the Southern U.S. up through the Transition Zone. Unlike Bermuda, Zoysias are slow-growing and require time to establish those deep roots. In sandy soil, this means more care and attention is needed. But once matured, these grasses don’t need regular mowing, fertilizing only twice a year, and relatively little water. Here is a detailed guide for Zoysia grass.

4. Bermuda grass

This type is unlike others in the warm-season grass category as its roots grow exceptionally deeper to six feet in some environments. This deep rootedness along with a high tolerance for drought makes Bermuda grass well-suited for sandy soils.

Bermuda grass prefers well-draining soil and especially flourish in areas that receive long hours of direct sun. 

It uses both above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes to spread. This growth pattern makes Bermuda grass especially hardy and resilient. It can tolerate a lot of foot traffic and grows back fast even after extreme stress.

Like centipede grass, it is suitable for warmer climates like what is found in the Southeastern U.S. However, its high drought tolerance also makes it an exceptional choice for the hot South and Southwest.

Its deep green color remains vibrant through the entire winter in areas with unusually mild winters but will turn brown during the cold season in most climates. To retain its look, you will require to fertilize this grass more frequently than many others on this list.

While Bermuda grass can flourish in loose sandy soil, Bermuda grass may not do well in shaded areas. It needs full sunlight exposure for at least 4 hours. You may have to prune trees around your yard to lessen shade and canopy prior to establishing a bermuda grass turf in a sandy area.

The two species of Bermuda grass that can tolerate drought and extreme cold conditions are Riviera Bermuda and Yukon. These show slow-to-dormancy features and will do well in the transition zones. Here is a detailed guide for Bermuda grass.

5. Bahia grass

Bahiagrass is a perennial, warm-season grass. It is less common in the U.S. but is well-suited to a few very specific areas. In these regions, it is known to grow really 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 requirement enables this grass to flourish along the beach where sand, heat and salty winds prevent other types of plants from establishing.

While it is best suitable for growth in sandy soil, it does not have the thick texture or rich color. Also, it grows slowly and in thinner patterning with a coarser feel.

Its color will change to brown in the winter but stays green longer and returns to green earlier than many warm-season grasses.

Though not the first choice, Bahia grass is usually the only choice for those with especially sandy, sun-baked yards. It is grown mostly in the Deep South and along the Southeastern coast.

Bahia grass survives much better than other grasses in infertile, sandy soils, which makes it a low-maintenance turfgrass. This is because of its deep root system. That is why it is common in the Southeast lawns with sandy soils.

However, it is not so dense, so if you’re looking to establish a thick, carpet-like lawn on sandy soil, you might have to select another grass type. Here is a detailed guide for Bahia grass.

6. Seville St. Augustine

Seville St. Augustine is a perennial, warm-season grass. It thrives very well in sandy soil conditions. The Seville type does very well in poor conditions and is the recommended blend to go with if you are not sure of the pH condition of your soil, as it flourishes in low to high pH levels. It requires soil pH between 3.5 to 6.5 and 6-7 hours of sunlight a day.

Seville St. Augustine has a superior texture than common St. Augustine varieties. It is blue-green in color with excellent color retention. It is salt and shade-tolerant and can flourish through a wide range of soil pH ranges. 

This type of grass is usually found in full sun locations, but it thrives in other parts of the lawn, especially with a reputation for living in shady conditions. Seville St. Augustine grass can raise your home’s aesthetic appeal with greenery and without a high amount of lawn care. Seville, with the proper routine maintenance through the establishment period, will make deep roots in the soil and establish a natural-looking lawn. Here is a detailed guide for Seville St. Augustine.

7. Centipede Grass

Centipede grass is a warm-season grass that shows an exception to the rule that grass requires to be deeply rooted to be well-suited for sandy soil.

This unique type of grass has an extraordinary shallow root structure. Rather, spreading through an underground rhizome, it spreads using above-ground stolons. 

The stolons create thick carpet-like sod. Due to this, the unstable structure of sandy soil does not affect well-established centipede grass. It also enables the grass to retain more nutrients and moisture at the soil level prior to draining away.

This grass requires more water as compared to several other varieties on this list. It is also less hardy and can only survive light frosts.

Centipede grass is most suited to hot, humid climates and yards that get a lot of sun.

It is slow-growing and does not require regular mowing but requires little maintenance or fertilization in the right climate. It has a pleasing light to medium green color and lush, thick texture.

Centipede grass is most commonly found in the Southeastern U.S. and Hawaii. Here is a detailed guide for Centipede grass.

8. Fescue Grasses

Fescues are clumping grasses that are more tolerant of cold and shade than other sand-loving varieties. All fescues have a deep root system and need little maintenance or fertilization. They prefer partial shade and cooler climates. Some varieties will not grow at all in hot climates. There are several varieties of fescue that do well in sandy soils, each providing something a little different.

Fescues are self-sustaining and very hardy grass that can grow in both shade and sun but flourish in areas with little sunlight. Though found in all continents besides Antarctica, this type of grass grows well in sandy soils found in cooler climates making it suitable for states in the northern midwest region, pacific northwest and New England area.

Fescue is an evergreen grass type with a deep root system as compared to all cool-season grasses. This allows it to flourish in a variety of soil conditions and without much water. It is usually used to fill empty patches of lawn due to its density. It grows well in the shade and is used for highly nutritious animal hay, ornamental purposes or turfgrass. 

Hard fescue is a common fine fescue that is unusually hardy in cold climates. It is drought tolerant and does not need much mowing or fertilizing. However, it is a cold season grass and cannot survive in extremely hot regions. There are three types of Fescues: Tall Fescue, Hard Fescue, and Red Fescue. Here is a detailed guide for fescue grasses.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Grass For Sandy Soil?

Before choosing the best grass for sandy soil, consider these important factors that will help you to make the best decision. Understanding how these factors can affect the grass makes it easier to make an informed choice.

• Drought tolerance

Drought is a common cause of sandy soil and should be considered when choosing a grass type for the yard. Most grass varieties that can grow well in sandy soil provide at least an adequate resistance to drought conditions. Characteristics that allow drought resistance include broad, resilient leaves that obtain enough energy from direct sunlight, long root systems that take benefit from deep water and mineral deposits, and densely packed grass that prevents erosion and water drainage.

Even during non-drought conditions, sandy soil doesn’t efficiently retain water, so this shows the grass requires these drought-resistant characteristics simply to survive. You may consider a grass type like Bermuda grass, if you are concerned about extended periods of droughts. It can go dormant for up to 4 weeks in place of dying in drought conditions.

• Root System

Shallow roots are the most attackable to the deficiencies in sandy soil, so look for grass species that produce long roots expanding more than 1 to 2 feet into the ground, such as Bermuda grass or fescue grass, which can grow to a depth of 5 feet.

These long roots grow penetrating the sandy soil, finding water deposits buried deep under the surface. At this depth, the roots are also protected from changing extremes of temperature, and they provide a strong foundation to support the leaves growing above the surface of the soil.

• Heat and humidity

One of the more demanding features to look after when growing grass in sandy soil is the level of humidity. Usually, people find it difficult to properly irrigate grass planted in sandy soil, neglecting the speed with which water runs through the rocky ground. High humidity helps to irrigate the grass, but it can also lead to fungal diseases, so users are required to be alert for yellow or brown patches in the lawn.

Heat is also a concern, especially in southern locations that get enough amounts of hot, direct sunlight for prolonged periods throughout the day. If the grass isn’t tolerant to these temperature extremes, it swiftly yellows, dries, and burns out completely. Find grass types with broad, coarse leaves that raises the heat tolerance of the plant so it can flourish in these conditions.

• Shade and sunlight

Similar to resistance to heat and humidity, the amount of needed shade and sunlight can differ among the different types of grass, so it’s essential to consider the yard layout before choosing the grass type. Consider any objects that may throw long shadows on the lawn throughout the day, like trees, a shed, a tall fence, or any other structures or obstacles.

Most grass types like a balance between shade and sunlight, but the varieties that grow in sandy soil tend to flourish better under long periods of direct sunlight. However, they will also grow in shady conditions, but not with the same liveliness or vibrance.

• Foot Traffic

Another factor to consider is the foot traffic your lawn can bear. Kids and pets often walk, run, and jump on the lawn, benefitting from the soft cushion given by the dense green leaves. This frequent use is basically referred to as foot traffic and depending on the type of grass, it can be harmful to a lawn whereas it may go almost completely unnoticed.

Zoysia and Bermuda grass are regarded highly tolerant of foot traffic for several reasons. Zoysia grass has a densely packed 2-foot-deep root system, providing strong support for the grass. Bermuda grass isn’t as dense, but the roots can grow to 6 feet deep. Centipede and Bahia grass have moderate foot traffic resistance. Fescue grass can be damaged by heavy foot traffic, making it a least choice for public or commercial locations that undergo high levels of visitors.

How To Grow Grass In Sand?

Follow these steps to grow grass in sandy soil:

1. Remove all weeds and rocks from the area and prepare the soil for planting by tilling deeply.
2. Improve the soil’s moisture retention capability with a mixture of compost or loam and peat topsoil. Spread 2 inches of the mixture over the ground and work it 6 inches deep into the soil with a rake.
3. Spread slow-release fertilizer over the top of the soil. Fertilize lightly once each month during the growing season, at 5 pounds per 1000 square feet per annum. Do not over-fertilize, as the chemicals may penetrate through the sand or gravel and into the water table.
4. Select a grass type that thrives in sand, such as a fescue variety, bermuda grass or bahia grass. Buy the grass in seed or sod form.
5. Sow seed grass over a lawn area by feeding it into a rolling broadcast spreader. Spread chopped straw or grass clippings over the top to help retain moisture, and water the seeded ground often to keep the soil moist enough for germination. For sod grass, lay it down over the yard and press it flat with a sod roller.
6. Water new grass daily, unless heavy rainfall is regular. Once grass has become established, water it every 3 days.
7. Amend the soil with compost every 3 months during the growing season, raking it across the lawn.

How To Water Grass In Sand?

Follow these instructions for watering lawn in sandy soil:

1. Irrigation on sandy soil is required more often and in smaller amounts than on heavier soils. Irrigate to thoroughly wet the rootzone and then do not water again until the turf shows the first sign of drought stress which is the bluish-gray color of the leaves. 
2. After the grass grows in, watering is still very important. The key to keeping the grass healthy with deep roots is watering six to eight inches deep and as regularly as possible for your grass to stay healthy. However, watering more than eight inches or watering during the hottest time of the day will result in water wastage.

Contact Edenapp to hire professionals for lawn care services today. We can guide you to select the best grass variety for your lawn according to your soil type.