Short answer: bermuda recovers quickly from a dry spell and tends to want a deep soak once or twice a week in summer. Zoysia is denser and slower to recover, and often needs steadier moisture. Neither likes a daily sprinkle. Learn to read the blade and the soil, and run the system by what you see. A sprinkler service call starts at $95.
Two warm-season grasses, two temperaments
Most lawns in North Atlanta are warm-season grass, because it thrives in Georgia summers. Bermuda and zoysia are the two you will see most often. They look alike from the street, but they behave differently once the heat arrives.
Bermuda is aggressive. It spreads quickly, loves full sun and bounces back from stress. When it goes dry it turns grey-brown, then greens up after a good soak. Zoysia is thicker and slower. It handles light shade better than bermuda, but it is slower to repair itself once it has been stressed, so a long dry spell leaves a mark that lingers.
Soil underneath is red clay. Clay holds water but takes it in slowly, so a quick, shallow run just runs off. This is the same for both grasses.
How to tell if the lawn is thirsty
- Look at the blades. A thirsty lawn folds or curls its blades and takes on a bluish-grey tint.
- Walk on it. If your footprints stay pressed in, it is dry.
- Push a screwdriver or a probe into the soil. If it goes in easily, the soil is moist. If it fights you, it is dry.
- Run a can test. Set a few straight-sided cans on the lawn, run a zone, and compare how much collects in each.
Side by side
| Bermuda | Zoysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Wants full sun | Takes some shade |
| Recovery from drought | Fast | Slower |
| Look when dry | Grey-brown, greens back | Straw-coloured, slow to return |
| Watering style | Deep and infrequent | Steady, avoid long dry gaps |
| Main risk | Over-watering, which feeds weeds | Under-watering, which thins the turf |
Watering rules to work around
Georgia’s outdoor watering rule lets anyone on a permitted public water system water between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Early morning is usually the best slot, because less water is lost to the heat and the grass dries before nightfall. Drought declarations can add stricter local limits, so check with your water provider. New sod and seed have their own exemption for the first 30 days.
What the controller should do
Both grasses do better with fewer, deeper cycles than daily light ones. A smart controller from $575 can adjust to weather, and a rain sensor from $425 skips a cycle after a storm. Each zone should be set for its own sun, slope and soil. Zones in full sun need more than the shady side, and the top of a slope dries faster than the bottom. If a lawn has a mix of bermuda in sun and zoysia in shade, a single schedule will not suit both.
Problems that look like drought
A brown patch is not always thirst. Check for a clogged or broken head first, because a missing spray pattern leaves a dry spot while the rest of the lawn is fine. Mist instead of a spray points to pressure. A fungus will leave a ring. And grubs show up as turf that lifts like carpet. If the sprinklers are the cause, our minimum service call is $95.
Mowing height matters too
Water is only part of the story. A taller cut shades the soil and holds moisture longer, and a very low cut dries the lawn out fast. Each grass has its own preferred height, so check what suits yours. Keep the blade sharp, because a ragged cut loses more water. If you change mowing habits and the lawn still struggles, then the irrigation is worth checking, and we look at each zone as part of any visit.
When to call us
Call when parts of the lawn go brown while the rest is green, when zones do not match what each area needs, or when you want the controller set up to match your grass. We are family-owned, licensed and insured, with same-day service. See sprinkler repair and the irrigation overview.
FAQ
How often should I water bermuda in summer? Deeply and not every day. Watch the blades and soil rather than the calendar.
Does zoysia need more water than bermuda? Usually it needs steadier moisture and recovers slower from drought.
What time of day should I water in Georgia? Between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. is allowed, and early morning is usually best.
Why is part of my lawn brown while the rest is green? Often a broken or clogged head, a coverage gap or a pressure issue.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026. Watering hours: Georgia EPD, epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/water-conservation.