Best Grass for Bakersfield, CA: Bermuda, Fescue or Bluegrass
Bermudagrass, tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass: which suits a Bakersfield lawn, what each needs in water and shade, and when to plant it.
Bermudagrass is the best grass for Bakersfield, CA, for most lawns. It thrives in full sun and high heat, holds up to heavy use and uses water efficiently. Tall fescue is the better pick for a yard with some shade, or for a lawn that stays green in winter, but it needs more water in summer. Kentucky bluegrass has a hard time in Bakersfield's summer heat.
The three most common lawn grasses in the Bakersfield area are bermudagrass, tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Here is what each one does well, what it needs, and when to plant it.
Bermudagrass: best for sun and heat
With its ability to withstand the heat and drought, bermudagrass is a popular choice for lawns in the Bakersfield area. It offers a lush green carpet that can handle high foot traffic and bounce back quickly from wear and tear.
It is a warm-season grass. The University of California (UC) rates it high for heat and drought and low for shade. It goes dormant and turns brown in late fall and winter, once the average temperature drops below about 50 to 55 degrees, and grows again in spring. It can creep into garden beds, so trim its edges often.
Tall fescue: best for shade and winter color
If you're looking for a resilient and adaptable grass, tall fescue is your best bet. It can handle both hot summers and cooler winters, keeping its deep green color through the year.
It is a cool-season grass, and UC calls it the most common lawn grass in California. It grows in sun or partial shade and stays green through cool winters. The tradeoff is water: in July, UC's watering guide gives tall fescue about a third more water than bermudagrass. Tall fescue grows in clumps and doesn't spread, so thin spots may need new seed.
Kentucky bluegrass: hard to keep through a Bakersfield summer
Kentucky bluegrass makes a dense lawn with a deep blue-green color, and it spreads by underground stems that repair worn spots on their own.
It is a cool-season grass that doesn't like heat. UC notes that it does poorly in summer where it runs warm to hot, and that it can go dormant when it's short on water in summer. It is often sold mixed with perennial ryegrass for better disease resistance and year-round color.
Zoysia and St. Augustine
Zoysiagrass is a warm-season grass that UC calls very water efficient. It handles heat, drought and heavy traffic. It turns brown in winter and is slow to fill in.
St. Augustinegrass grows well in shade, but in California it is used mostly near the coast, where it is mildest. It doesn't hold up to heavy wear, and it builds up thatch unless that is removed often.
Compare the best grasses for Bakersfield
| Grass | Heat | Drought | Shade | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermudagrass | High | High | Low | Brown, dormant |
| Tall fescue | Moderate to high | Moderate | Moderate | Green |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Low | Low | Moderate | Green |
| St. Augustinegrass | High | Moderate | High | Brown, dormant |
The ratings come from UC's turf adaptations and tolerances table, which covers the grasses that do best in most of California.
Which grass fits your yard
- Full sun, kids and dogs: bermudagrass. It takes heat and heavy use and bounces back fast.
- Shade from trees or the house for part of the day: tall fescue.
- Green through winter: tall fescue. Bermudagrass stays brown from late fall to spring.
- The least water: bermudagrass or zoysiagrass, or artificial grass with none at all.
How much water each grass needs
Warm-season grasses need less water than cool-season ones. On a sprinkler system that puts down about an inch of water an hour, UC's Lawn Watering Guide for California calls for about 85 minutes a week on a bermuda lawn in July, and about 113 minutes on tall fescue. Our Bakersfield watering schedule has the minutes for every month.
When to plant grass in Bakersfield
UC recommends planting a grass when it grows fastest: late spring or early summer for warm-season grasses like bermudagrass, and fall or spring for cool-season grasses like tall fescue. From seed, tall fescue usually sprouts in 7 to 12 days, bermudagrass in 10 to 30 and Kentucky bluegrass in 14 to 30.
Artificial grass: no watering or mowing
If you would rather not water or mow a lawn at all, artificial grass is the other option for a Bakersfield yard.
We can help you choose the right grass for your yard and put in a new sod lawn: request your free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best grass for Bakersfield, CA?
Bermudagrass suits most sunny lawns in Bakersfield. It takes the heat, holds up to wear and uses water efficiently. Tall fescue suits some shade and stays green in winter, but it needs more water.
What grass stays green all year in Bakersfield?
Cool-season grasses like tall fescue stay green all year unless temperatures stay below freezing. Bermudagrass and other warm-season grasses turn brown in late fall and winter and green up again in spring.
When should you plant grass in Bakersfield?
UC recommends late spring or early summer for bermudagrass and other warm-season grasses, and fall or spring for tall fescue and other cool-season grasses.
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