Is there anything better than walking through your front yard barefooted on a hot summer day? We certainly don’t think so! However, nothing disrupts your afternoon fun more quickly than rough, prickly grass. Luckily this isn’t something that you have to live with forever! You and your family can enjoy a soft, luscious lawn no matter where you live.
What’s the best grass for bare feet? Both Zoysia grass and Hybrid Bermuda grass have been named the best grass for bare feet due to the density and feel of each blade. While the best grass for bare feet will vary based on your geographical location, there are a few varieties of Zoysia grass and Bermuda grass that have a loyal fan following.
So, what happens if you don’t have one of these two grass varieties in your yard? Do you have to replant your lawn to achieve soft grass? Keep reading to learn more about the best grass for bare feet as well as how to improve the feel of your grass, no matter the variety. With our simple steps for lawn care, you will be able to enjoy a lush lawn in no time.
Choosing the Best Grass for Bare Feet
Whether you are replacing the itchy, uncomfortable grass that is currently growing in your backyard or doing your research before planting grass for the first time, we hope that this information helps you achieve the lawn of your dreams.
What Makes Grass Soft Enough to Walk Barefoot?
There are several factors that affect how pleasant your grass is to walk on barefoot. In general, the grass density, health of the grass, and variety of grass are the greatest contributors to a lush lawn.
Grass Density
With countless varieties of grass available, it can be difficult to narrow your choice down to the very best. The first thing you should consider when searching for the softest grass for bare feet is the grass density.
As a general rule, a lawn that is pleasant to walk on barefoot leans more to the dense side of the spectrum rather than the sparse side. When a dense variety of grass is healthy, it will feel like a plush carpet under foot. This is exactly the feeling that most of us are looking for.
Additionally, denser grass varieties tend to do a better job of choking out unwanted weeds in your lawn, the bane of any homeowner. It is important to note that dense grass will be a bit tricker to mow. Because of this, you must stay on top of your mowing routine to ensure that the grass does not get out of control. Many homeowners prefer a self-propelled lawn mower for maintaining dense varieties of grass.
Health of Grass
More than any other factor, the health of your grass will affect how soft it feels on the bottoms of your bare feet. No matter the variety of grass in your yard, unhealthy grass will be prickly and tough to walk on. Not only will it be unpleasant but it will also have an unsightly appearance.
We will take a closer look at maintaining the health of your lawn a bit later on. For now, just remember that grass requires three key things: fertilizer, regular mowing, and hydration.
Grass Variety
Even with the greatest lawn care tips and techniques, some types of grass are simply not as soft as others. It is important to educate yourself on the variety of grass that is currently growing in your yard so that you can better care for your lawn.
If you have implemented a top-notch lawn care plan with no impact on the softness of your grass, you may consider replacing your lawn with a softer variety. This is, of course, a huge undertaking. However, if you and your family enjoy spending time in the backyard, it may be something worth considering.
Softest Types of Grass for Bare Feet
Now that we have discussed the three factors that play into the softness of your lawn, let’s take a look at the softest types of grass for bare feet. There are many types of grasses. Soft grasses are characterized by their fine texture and narrow leaves.
The one downside to choosing a soft grass is that your lawn will not be as resistant to high traffic and may show signs of wear throughout the summer. When selecting a variety of grass for your lawn, you must consider both the region in which you reside as well as the amount of traffic that the area will have on a regular basis.
Zoysia Grass
Many homeowners and landscaping enthusiasts agree that Zoysia grass is one of the softest and most luscious varieties available today. Zoysia grass creates a beautiful lawn that is pleasant to both look at and walk on without shoes. Additionally, Zoysia grass does a great job of choking out weeds due to its density.
Hybrid Bermuda Grass
Although some types of Bermuda grass are not as pleasant to the bare foot, Hybrid Bermuda grass is quite versatile. With fine-textured blades and excellent density, Hybrid Bermuda grass quickly contributes to the lush lawn that you have always dreamt of. Hybrid varieties of Bermuda grass also boast incredible resistance to pests and disease, something that every lawn enthusiast should look for.
While Zoysia grass and Hybrid Bermuda grass are two of the most popular grass varieties to use, there are many others that provide a lovely lawn in which to walk barefooted. The variety of grass that you plant depends greatly on your region. Because of this, it is wise to consult a lawn care professional or a specialist at your local greenhouse before choosing a variety with which you are unfamiliar. Doing so can save you both money and time.
Benefits of Walking in Grass Barefoot
Most of us grow up running around the backyard without shoes. For some of us, this is a habit we carry with us into adulthood. Besides the ease of walking barefoot in your backyard, there are many ways that this practice can benefit both your emotional and physical wellbeing!
Some of the many benefits of walking barefoot in your grass include the following:
- Provides relaxation
- Decreases stress on joints
- Exfoliates feet
- Strengthens muscles in your feet and ankles
- Improves blood circulation
- Stretches tendons and ligaments in your feet and ankles
- Improves balance
- Restores a natural gait
- Improves posture
As you can see, there are many reasons why walking barefoot in your backyard should be a regular occurrence during the pleasant summer months. Planting a variety of grass that makes this practice a pleasant experience will only encourage you to walk barefoot more often.
Steps to Maintaining a Soft Lawn
If you already have a variety of grass that is marketed as a “soft grass” but doesn’t seem to live up to its name, there are several things you can do. These lawn care tips will help to improve the softness, quality, and density of your grass, no matter what variety makes up the majority of your yard.
Fertilize to Achieve Soft Grass
Although grass receives much of its nutrients from the ground, it does require some additional assistance. Fertilizing your grass on a routine basis is an important part of maintaining a lush, soft lawn. It is important to select a fertilizer that works for your variety of grass and carefully follow manufacturer directions to avoid burning your grass and causing further damage.
You can read more about proper grass fertilization and fertilizer burn here.
Mow Your Lawn Regularly
Mowing is an important part of lawn maintenance. Although it may be a dreaded chore in the heat of the summer, mowing your lawn is the best way to maintain its softness and quality. In addition to mowing your lawn on a regular basis, there are a few things to consider before you head out to the backyard.
First, make sure that the blades of your lawnmower are sharp. Dull blades damage your lawn and can eventually lead to the death of your grass. When your grass is damaged, it is more likely to have dry, sharp edges, something your bare feet will not appreciate.
Most experts recommend that you sharper your lawnmower blades twice each season. Many hardware stores offer this service for a fee or you can safely sharpen your lawnmower blades at home with a few tools.
Additionally, make sure that you are not cutting your grass too short. While it may seem like an excellent way to decrease the amount of mowing each summer, it can negatively impact the health of your lawn. Each grass variety has unique length specifications, make sure to do your research before you mow.
Make Sure Your Grass is Hydrated
Finally, the softest grass is a grass that is well hydrated. If you live in a dry region, or you are experiencing a drought, you may need to manually water your grass every few days. When the blades of your grass become too dry, you will find that you have a prickly lawn that no one can enjoy.
Here are some great lawn watering tips to help you avoid overwatering your yard.
Whether you choose to replace your existing lawn with a softer variety such as Zoysia or Hybrid Bermuda, or you simply improve your lawn care techniques, softer grass is within your reach. Enjoy summer afternoons once again as you stroll barefoot through your new and improved backyard.
Thank you for reading American Lawns! You can find more great lawn tips here.
