There's no sun from 12 am till 6 am, unless you're in
Alaska...

Fesuce is non existant, Fescue does:-)

If your summer rainfall pattern returns to average, the Fescue is the best option. If not, then try Buffalo grass.

Forget Bermuda, your climate is more condusive to cool season grasses. Bermuda will work, but ONLY in full sun (10+ hours of direct sunlight)and for 3 to 4 months during the year. You will still need to water it, mow it 3 times a week, fertilize every 30 days, weed control year round, etc...

Thanks Auteck. Sorry for the Typo; I meant 12.00 PM to 6.00 PM. Is there a Hybird Fescue that you recommend ? Since the temp reaches some time above 80 degrees, I was afraid that It might kill fescue

I don't understand why every builder here put Bermuda sod in every home they build in spite of its so many disadvantages. is fescue not cheaper then bermuda sod?

One of the reasons Bermuda is popular in Atlanta is because its proximity to the Tifton, GA and all the bermuda sod farms in the area. The University endorses the use of bermuda because of recent summer drought patterns, and builders don't have worry about bermuda dying if not watered.

I Know a former forum member in Atlanta that was succssfully growing Kentucky Bluegrass.

I'm up in Raleigh, and Tall Fescue is king here. The weather in Marietta and Northen Atlanta is very similar to ours. The biggest difference is your summer rain pattern. If it goes back to normal/average, then Fescue and possibly Bluegrass will outperform bermuda or any other warm season grass in your area.

BTW, 80 degrees does not kill Fescue. Actually, 100+ degrees does not kill Fescue. Lack of water (drought) or too much water (excessive rainfall = disease) are the main two reasons fescue dies in the summer.

There are no Hybrid Fescues that I'm aware of, however, there's a Hybrid Bluegrass; which is a cross between Texas and Kentucky Bluegrass. It doesn't do well here, but Kentucky Bluegrass does.

Click on the link below and look at the turfgrass ratings for the Transition zone: (Raleigh is NC1 on the chart)

REVEILLE (hybrid bluegrass) is at the bottom of the ratings.

Here is a link that might be useful: Transition Zone Kentucky Bluegrass Ratings

You might consider centipede. It reportedly grows in North Georgia. Here in Middle Georgia it is the perfect grass. Grows in crappy soil, doesn't need nor like fertilizer and stops growing at around ankle height. You can cut it low or let it go. Once a month cutting is not unusual while it handles drought well and will choke out most if not all weeds.

Bermuda won't do well with 6 hours of light. I like Kentucky bluegrass, especially the Elite varieties, but I'm not sure it will grow with 6 hours of light?

Here is a picture of a KBG lawn from my collection. This was posted to GW in about 2004. The owner had earlier complained about weeds. This was a photo report/testimonial on the improvement to his lawn after he started mowing at the mower's highest setting and only watering once per week. He no longer used herbicides.

{{gwi:96853}}

I just noticed that Auteck suggested buffalo grass. I don't think buffalo grass will do well with only 6 hours of sun a day. It does well without much fertilizer and does best when mowed high (some people leave it unmowed) but its sunlight requirements are similar to Bermuda. It's a warm season grass, but it probably greens up earlier than Bermuda. It would probably turn green in mid May and go dormant in early October around here.

BP, that's correct. Buffalo grass will need as much light as bermuda in order to thrive.

Sethramesh, with 6 hours of direct sun light, Fine Fescue (if no foot traffic) or Tall Fescue will work better than any other grass. Zoysia Shadow Turf claims it can survive on 2+ of direct sun light (I don't believe it) You can try it by buying some plugs, expect to pay top $$$ for those.

Centipede will be a poor choice at your site with those light requirement, althogh Centipede does have more shade "tolerance" than Bermuda and Buffalo grass.

Dchall, that bluegrass lawn looks like Tall Fescue... WAY too tall for my taste. I bet it's cut at 4 inches...

The recommended mowing height for Kentucky Bluegrass is between 1.5" to 2.5" with 3" to 3 1/2" MAX during the summer months in the Transition zone. Areas with cooler/mild/wet summers can keep the height to 2.5" and down to 1.5" during the Fall/Winter.

When you mow Kentucky Bluegrass higher than those recommended mowing heights, the top of the grass blades beging to lay over and turf loses density - very similar to what happens to Bermuda grass and seashore paspalum.

Tall fescue has thicker and stronger blades that can easely handle 5 or even more inches before it starts to lay over.

Perennial Ryegrass is very simmilar to Bluegrass in that regard.

Auteck

Thanks; So the recommendation is Tall fescue? I called the sod seller and they said that fescue is planted between Oct and April and so no guarantee on the sod. It is a hot here as we are already reaching 80 degrees. Can I still sod Fescue? There is no one who I know is selling Kentucky Bluegrass Sod here

I just called the county extension agent and asked her opinion. She is a master Gardner. Her reply was to go with Bermuda because is drought tolerance.

Also The guy who sells the sod here told me that Because it is late, I need to water it a lot.

Your views are appreciated

Sorry, I forgot to add: Additional reason the County Extension agent recommended Bermuda was : Because I get sun from 12.00 PM, it is the afternoon sun which will be very hot for Fescue. I just observed it today, the sun gets to my yard at 11.45 AM

There is no one who I know is selling Kentucky Bluegrass Sod here

There is a very good reason for that, because it will not grow there and no sod farm will grow something they cannot gaurantee. Look at your area sod farms and see what they sell. That will tell you what will work.