Warm-Season Grass

• Except for the northern portions of the state, the entire state of Texas lies in the warm-season grass zone. The warm-season zone is an area where the grass does well in the hot temperatures. Grass in this area prefers soil temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Grass in this area does not do well with the cold. If you experience cooler weather in the winter, your grass may turn brown. Examples of warm-season grass include Bermuda, Zoysia and Buffalo Grass.
  
  

Transitional Zone Grass

• The transitional zone is an area where warm- and cool-season grass can grow. The temperatures get hot enough in the summer to support warm-season grass, but in general cool-season grasses that thrive in lower temperatures, do better in these areas. In Texas, the transitional zone is in the northern part of the state, in the Texas panhandle. The best cool-season grass for the transitional zone in Texas is tall fescue.
  
  

Gulf Coast Grass

• St. Augustine grass grows along the Gulf Coast area. This grass can be found from Texas all the way around the Gulf Coast and into the Carolinas. It does not do well in drought areas and the temperatures must not be in areas with a cold winter. St. Augustine grass is a good grass to grow in the shady parts of the lawn.
  
  

Plains Grass

• For lawns near the plains of Texas, Buffalo Grass can be found. It is the only native warm-season species of grass to the U.S., in the area. It is a drought-resistant species that can handle low amounts of water. Keep in mind, if you do not water much then it will turn brown and curl. This is how it survives the drought.
  
  

Winter Over Seeding

• Since the predominate climate in Texas is for warm-season grass, many of these warm-season species will turn brown when it gets cold. A popular way to keep lawns green in any warm-season area is to winter over seed. Rye grass provides a good winter cover because it can grow fast and allows you to have a green lawn all winter. Winter over seeding should be done in the fall and be sure to give the seed enough time to establish itself, before cold weather arrives.