Fescue vs. Bermuda vs. St. Augustine: Which Sod Is Best for Sacramento?
For most Sacramento Valley homes, a tall fescue blend is the best all-around sod: it stays green through most of the year, handles partial shade and stands up to kids and pets. Bermuda and St. Augustine are warm-season grasses that love summer heat but go brown and dormant in winter. CalTurf grows a 90 percent fescue and 10 percent bluegrass blend for that reason.
What is the difference between cool-season and warm-season grass?
Cool-season grasses like fescue and bluegrass grow most in spring and fall and stay green through mild Sacramento winters. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine grow fast in summer heat, then go dormant and turn tan or brown when it cools off. In the Sacramento Valley you get both hot summers and cool, wet winters, so the question is which season you want your lawn to look its best.
How do fescue, Bermuda and St. Augustine compare?
- Tall fescue: green most of the year, deep roots, handles sun and partial shade. Needs regular watering in summer.
- Bermuda: very heat and drought tough and recovers fast from wear, but needs full sun, goes brown in winter and spreads into flower beds.
- St. Augustine: wide, coarse blades and fair shade tolerance, but it is a warm-season grass that browns in winter and is less common in Northern California.
Why does CalTurf grow a fescue and bluegrass blend?
Our blend is 90 percent fescue and 10 percent bluegrass, matured a full year in the field and cut fresh to order. On our own ratings out of 100, it scores 98 for heat tolerance, 95 for drought tolerance, 93 for wear resistance and 90 for winter color. That mix gives Davis and Sacramento homeowners a lawn that stays green in winter and holds up in summer. See our sod for the full details.
Which grass is right for your yard?
Pick fescue if you want green grass year-round, have some shade from trees or the house, or have kids and dogs using the lawn. A warm-season grass can make sense for a full-sun yard where winter color does not matter to you. Whatever you choose, good soil prep matters more than the grass type, so start with how to prepare for your new lawn.
How do you order fescue sod in the Sacramento area?
Measure your lawn and use the sod calculator to turn square feet into 8 square foot rolls. Then request a quote or call (530) 364-5155. You can pick up at our Davis farm or ask about delivery across Sacramento, Yolo and Solano counties.
Common questions
Does fescue sod stay green in winter in Sacramento?
Yes, fescue is a cool-season grass, so it generally stays green through Sacramento Valley winters. Our blend scores 90 out of 100 for winter color on our own ratings.
Is Bermuda grass better for hot summers?
Bermuda handles heat and drought very well, but it goes brown and dormant in winter and needs full sun. Fescue also handles heat with regular watering and keeps its color in winter.
What sod does CalTurf grow?
Our fescue and bluegrass blend: 90 percent fescue and 10 percent bluegrass, matured a full year and cut fresh to order at our Davis farm. Call (530) 364-5155 with any questions about your yard.
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