When its time for new sod in Birmingham AL, Zoysia vs Bermuda is the great debate. We all want that lush, green, dense grass that makes you want to kick your shoes off and feel the soft carpet under your tootsies. In Birmingham, Alabama, where we live, there are fewer choices for which grass to install. The reason is Birmingham, AL has a climate with a wide swing between very hot and very cold. For that reason it normally comes down to Zoysia vs Bermuda for Birmingham AL lawn-lovers.

Which grass is best in Birmingham, AL?

The Zoysia vs Bermuda decision includes questions regarding thatch, shade, grass height, heat tolerance, cold tolerance, water needs, invasiveness, growth speed and wear resistance. So let’s break it down.

Zoysia vs Bermuda Wear Resistance

I’m not sure there is a grass that can hold up to Charlie running up and down the fence line. But for your lawn parties, cookouts, and walking around with the coffee enjoying the flowers, you need a grass that can hold up to a little foot traffic.  Both, Zoysia and Bermuda have good wear resistance, but Bermuda grass has a little higher wear resistance.  

Zoysia vs Bermuda Temperature Tolerance

Heat Tolerance

Both options are classified as high heat tolerant grasses, which is very important in Birmingham, AL.  

Cold Tolerance

Zoysia grass grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10 vs Bermuda in Zones 7 through 10. Zoysia has high cold tolerance and Bermuda is much less tolerant to cold temperatures.  Still, Bermuda will grow well in Birmingham, AL since we are located in Zones 7 and 8.

Zoysia vs Bermuda Shade Tolerance

The main reason people in Birmingham, AL choose Zoysia over Bermuda grass is for the greater shade tolerance with Zoysia and none with Bermuda. Zoysia prefers full sun, but it tolerates light shade unlike Bermuda that needs full sun.  Many beautiful landscapes include all sizes of trees and large shrubs. The shade will cause Bermuda grass to get thinner. In less than 4 hours of full, direct sunlight each day, Bermuda grass will photosynthesize less, making it less tolerant to heat, cold, drought and disease.

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Because it is more cold tolerant and more shade tolerant, in Birmingham our Zoysia stays green much longer than Bermuda grass.

Lawns Need Water

Lawns guzzle water more than Nadal in a fifth set. Zoysia has moderate water needs, a little less than Bermuda grass, which can require a higher amount of water. Depending on the time of year lawns need at least 1 to 2 inches of water every week. The parts of your landscape on a slope will need special attention to water properly. To overcome water runoff on hillsides try shorter watering cycles spaced out over time. Most irrigation controllers have a cycle and soak option for exactly this application.

Rock or clay will also cause your landscape to require more water. If you have a yard too large to hand water, a properly working sprinkler system is a must-have in Birmingham, AL. The new Wifi Controllers from Rain Bird and Rachio have features to help adjust the water according to the amount of rainfall, slope and soil type.

Newly sodded yards need more water than established lawns. Water new sod lawns daily for at least the first week. 

Zoysia vs Bermuda Birmingham, AL Disadvantages

Growth Rate Can Be a Disadvantage

Bermuda grass grows faster than Zoysia does. That may sound great, but it’s actually a disadvantage of Bermuda. When Bermuda grass becomes invasive it is difficult to remove from flower beds and bed lines. It also requires cutting and fertilizing more often.

Thatch

A well-loved Zoysia lawn creates a dense lush carpet that is wonderful under bear feet!  The density helps it keep out weeds also.  The downside of the dense growth habit is it tends to develop thatch, which is a layer of thick organic matter that builds up at soil level. Because of the risk of thatch, many Birmingham homeowners bag the grass clippings. This will reduce the chance of thatch, but also greatly reduces the vital nutrients that the fast-decomposing clippings provide. If you want to keep the natural fertilizer on your lawn, keeping the grass shorter and cutting it more often will also help minimize thatch. Ironically, using too much fertilizer can also cause thatch. Thatch needs to be removed every 2 to 3 years through core aeration or de-thatching.

Grass Planting, Mowing & Growing Tips

When is the best time to plant sod?

The best time to plant sod is in spring after all threat of frost passes.

Mowing Height

Zoysia grass likes to be mowed with a reel mower. However, a good alternative is using a rotary mower with sharp blades set as low as possible without scalping, 1 – 2 inches height. Bermuda grass can be cut the same height. It may be a little less amiable to the reel mower.

Our BIG Tip

This is perhaps the most important tip of all and your reward for making it to the end of the article! Each year in early spring the lawn-loving Birmingham, AL homeowners apply a pre-emergent herbicide to their lawns to combat weeds. Here’s the big tip, the way pre-emergent herbicides work is that they create a weed barrier. If you power rake, scalp or aerate the lawn to get up the thatch after you have already applied the pre-emergent you lose the weed prevention benefits of the herbicide. Be sure to aerate prior to applying the pre-spring herbicide.

Which grass is best?

Zoysia vs Bermuda Birmingham, AL is really just a personal preference. If you are a golfer and you spend a lot of time on Bermuda at the local club, you may want to have it at home too. However, if your yard has shade, you are likely to choose Zoysia.