Best Sod for Bakersfield

Top 5 Best Sod and Grass Seed for Bakersfield

Good morning folks! Sod and Seed, Inc. continues to provide information and recommendations on the best sods for our top cities, and today we will discuss Bakersfield, California! We will review key information about Bakersfield and our top 5 sod and grass seed recommendations.

Bakersfield, the largest city in Kern County and part of the San Joaquin Valley, has a population of approximately 377,000 residents. More specifically, Bakersfield is one of three cities composing the Tulare Basin in the Central Valley, which is only 3% urban population and more vastly known for agricultural production and petroleum extraction. Agricultural fields include production of grapes, oranges, grains, cotton, and corn. Geographically, Bakersfield and the rest of the Central Valley, make up one of the most marked geographical depression in the world. What does this all mean? Bakersfield has great soil, unique climate and lots of room for housing a beautiful sod lawn!

Top 5 Best Grass Types for Bakersfield

In order to jump into the best grass types for Bakersfield, we must cover two important factors: the soil composition and climate of Bakersfield. Based on research and mapping conducted by the Agricultural and Natural Resources Department at UC Davis, Bakersfield is predominantly sitting on clay soil, or soils heavier in clay. In terms of climate, Bakersfield is no exception to the Central Valley heat, with annual temperatures peaking at 100 degrees during summertime and dropping as low as 35 degrees during winter. For areas with soil heavier in clay, there are two options. First, select one of our sod types grown on clay soil base. Second, select any of of sod types and the grass will adapt, keeping in mind the impact of water routines based on soil type. A sod type that can handle extreme temperatures will also be key. Now, lets jump in to our top 5 sods for Bakersfield!

Please note: in addition to recommendations below, individual conditions of each lawn should be considered. Please remember, this is not a list created in order of preference, rather a comprehensive list of options for customers to consider. 

Best Sod and Grass Seed for Lawn in Bakersfield

1. Tall Fescue with Kentucky Bluegrass 90/10 Sod

Historically, the most common sod choice in Bakersfield has been Bermuda grass (which makes a lot of sense and we will discuss below), but don't discredit the resilience of a fescue that stays green year round! Our Delta Tall 9010 is one of our top performing Hybrid Fescues. A mix of 90% Tall Fescue and 10% Kentucky Bluegrass, our Delta Tall 9010 has proven its ability to withstand heat, drought, and cooler temperatures as a cool-season grass. Providing similar climate adaptations to commonly used Bermudas, our Delta Tall 9010 also provides disease resistance and excellent wear-and-tear recovery from higher foot traffic. If you're hoping for a lawn that is green year-round and will stand up to the Central Valley's unique weather, look no further. Note that although the Delta Tall 9010 is grown on a highly organic soil base, Sod and Seed, Inc. has installed it in clay soils for many years and it will adapt with proper care. 

Tall Fescue Bluegrass Mix Grass Seed

At Sod and Seed, Inc., we are also excited to provide Bakersfield Grass Seed for our Delta Tall 9010! If your lawn has been damaged, CLICK HERE to easily access our Tall Fescue and Bluegrass seed. 

2. Bolero Plus Dwarf Fescue Bluegrass Sod

Bakersfield, if you want a green lawn year-round with benefits similar to our Delta Tall 9010 but with decreased maintenance, then our Bolero Plus is the grass for you! Our Bolero Plus is 90% Dwarf Fescue and 10% Kentucky Bluegrass. Because it is a Dwarf Fescue, Our Bolero Plus will provide a slightly finer blade that has a slower growth pattern than its Tall Fescue counterpart. This, in turn, will give you a beautiful, green lawn year-round that will require less mowing while still providing drought tolerance, heat tolerance, disease resistance, and wear-and-tear recovery. 

Bolero Plus Dwarf Fescue Bluegrass Mix Grass Seed

Sod and Seed, Inc. happily offers you the added benefit of our Bolero Plus Grass Seed. CLICK HERE to view more and place your order. UPS shipment go out every week. 

3. Kurapia Ground Cover

Kurapia ground cover loves Bakersfield, and Bakersfield loves Kurapia ground cover! Kurapia ground cover, a fairly new alternative lawn cover, has changed the game for the lawn industry. With an incredible ability to tolerate drought and self-repair, Kurapia ground cover continues to grow as a top choice for our customers across Bakersfield, all of California and Arizona. As if this wasn't enough, Kurapia ground cover is also an extremely low maintenance ground cover. By extremely we mean Kurapia ground cover sod never has to be mowed. Yep, Kurapia ground cover NEVER has to be mowed. Below we will discuss these three top benefits of a Kurapia ground cover lawn. 

A. Kurapia Ground Cover is Highly Drought and Heat Tolerant

Kurapia ground cover provides customers with highly drought and heat tolerant lawns. For Bakersfield, this is a key factor to consider with its unique and warm climate. Kurapia ground cover's deep rooting system help it survive drought and extreme heat conditions, making it an excellent choice for Bakersfield and the greater Central Valley region. This Kurapia ground cover trait is also key because it will require less watering, saving both time and money traditionally spent on watering your lawn. 

Samples of Kurapia being stress-tested by Sod and Seed, Inc. showcasing its adaptability to conditions with varying aesthetics based on how much sun and water it gets. 

B. Kurapia Ground Cover is Extremely Low Maintenance 

In addition to saving Bakersfield time and money on watering, Kurapia ground cover also saves time and money spent mowing your lawn. Kurapia ground cover never has to be mowed, and we literally mean never. Kurapia ground cover has dense, lateral growth instead of upward growth like traditional grass. This unique growth pattern also makes Kurapia ground cover better at resisting disease and weeds. Some Kurapia ground cover owners mow for personal preferences, but it is not necessary. Kurapia ground cover also flowers twice annually between May and October.   

C. Kurapia Ground Cover is Self-Healing

The same mechanism that helps Kurapia ground cover be highly drought and heat tolerant also helps Kurapia have an amazing ability to self heal. When damaged, Kurapia ground cover quickly grows laterally and patches up damaged areas. In the video below, you will see Kurapia ground cover recover from a hole dug in the middle of the lawn. 

Kurapia Ground Cover Testing

4. Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass

Next, lets talk about our Latitude 36 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield loves its bermudagrass, understandably so. Bermudas offer the highest possible drought and heat tolerance, along with excellent features for foot traffic and disease resistance. Our Latitude 36 offers the highest possible heat tolerance, followed by drought tolerance and wear recovery. Be sure your Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass lawn gets enough sun! Also, note that Bermuda grass goes dormant in the winter, meaning it browns up. No, your lawn is not dead, it's "asleep." To avoid a seasonally brown lawn, perennial rye grass seed is often used to overseed Bermuda lawns to provide a green lawn year round. 

5. Celebration Bermuda Grass

Bakersfield, the golden child of Bermuda grass may very well be our Celebration Bermuda, offering the highest possible drought tolerance, heat tolerance and disease resistance. This high performing Bermudagrass has been researched over decades and cultivated to provide the benefits it does. Bermuda grass also has above average wear recovery and high than usual shade tolerance for Bermuda grasses. If you are set on a Bermuda grass lawn, this may be the winner!

Best Bermuda Grasses for California

Bakersfield, we hope you have found this information helpful! Sod and Seed, Inc. strives to provide its customers, and the general public, with opportunities for ongoing learning about lawns. We care about our products and we want your lawn to be healthy. We hope these tools will help. Let us know which grass or ground cover may be best for your Bakersfield lawn. We welcome any feedback, thoughts, comments questions and additional information! You can share it in the comments section below or submit it to us via email at info@lawndelivery.com or via text at (925) 435 - 7874. We hope to hear from you soon!

Lawn Care Help and Resources

Below, find resources for sod lawn prepping and installation, as well as general lawn care. You may use these resources for yourself or a guide and checklist if a landscaping company is installing and maintaining your lawn. 

CLICK HERE for How to Prep and Install a Lawn

CLICK HERE for our Sod and Seed Starter Fertilizer 

CLICK HERE for our Sod and Seed Lawn Food 

CLICK HERE for our Full Grass Seed Selection