What’s The Best And Softest Grass For Bare Feet?

There are few feelings more indicative of relaxation and connection with nature than the feel of bare feet on soft, luscious grass. 

For some, the reality of growing a soft, green lawn seems out of reach. 

Fortunately, there are fantastic soft grass types and tips for cultivating a lush green lawn for bare feet.  

To get the best and softest grass for bare feet, you’ll need to use a type of naturally gentle grass like Zoysia and develop good practices for maintenance and cultivation, including fertilizer, watering, and aerating. 

Picture yourself walking across your lawn with the feel of soft, thick grass cushioning your feet along the way. 

The dream is achievable with simple steps for proper lawn maintenance to foster a healthy, soft lawn or introduce a better-suited grass variety for your yard. 

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Getting The Best Soft Grass For Walking Barefoot

Walking barefoot through soft grass is undoubtedly one of the best ways to unwind after a long work week. 

It helps us feel relaxed. It’s almost as if kicking off our shoes makes us feel like we’re shedding the stress of the day with it. 

Unfortunately, if your lawn is coarse, dry, or patchy, you likely avoid walking through the yard altogether. 

Luckily, there are many tips and tricks towards getting the lush, green grass of your dreams. 

If you have an established lawn, you’ll likely be able to restore softness through proper lawn maintenance. 

Regular mowing, fertilization, and proper watering restores health to grass and is likely all you need to start enjoying a cushioned lawn perfect for bare feet. 

Sometimes lawn maintenance is not enough, and you’ll have to consider establishing an entirely new lawn. 

There are great grass types for establishing the best and softest lawn for walking barefoot. 

Doing a total upheaval of our lawns by introducing new grass seed is daunting, but there are many ways to make the process easier and more satisfying. 

To do this, you’ll need to consider what works for your lifestyle and location. 

Consulting local professionals in your area will also help to narrow down your choices to the best grass variety for you. 

The first step towards having the best and softest lawn for walking barefoot is making sure you have all the knowledge and tools you need to succeed. 

Luckily, you are in the right place. 

We will help you learn all about the best practices for growing a soft green lawn and the best grass varieties for lush grass. 

What Makes Grass Soft?

We all know soft grass when we feel it, but what makes it soft? 

Many factors contribute towards softer lawns. 

Specific grass types boast a softer feel due to blade width and overall leaf texture. 

Fine-textured grasses have narrow leaves, while coarse varieties have wide, stiff leaves. 

Other factors include the overall health of the grass and density. 

Both of these factors contribute to the overall softness of grass varieties. 

Consider these aspects when choosing the grass variety you’re growing on your property. 

Grass Density

Certain types of grass grow thick and lush. 

Not only does this promote a cushioned, carpet-like feel on bare feet, it also helps choke out unwanted weeds. 

When considering a grass seed variety, it is vital to consider the overall density. 

The feeling we seek for lush, soft lawns comes from how densely the grass grows. 

We want plush cushioning from our lawn because it feels best on our bare feet. 

While density is fantastic for walking without shoes, it requires special attention while mowing. 

Overgrown, dense grass will jam up lawnmowers if not regularly maintained. 

It is important to use sharp blades and mow as needed to preserve your lawn and your mower. 

Overall Health Of Grass

Even the best grass varieties require a little help here and there to promote softness. 

Because of this, we need to practice proper lawn care to promote healthy grass. 

Unhealthy grass is often patchy and dry. 

Patches keep us from thick, soft lawns, and dryness turns grass prickly and coarse. 

Proper watering, mowing, and fertilization help foster a healthy lawn to create softness for bare feet. 

Each type of grass has its own needs for mowing height, fertilization, and watering. 

Make sure you choose the right products for your type of grass and carefully follow instructions. 

Type Of Grass

Tackling the job of introducing a new grass variety seems daunting but is the only option if your current lawn is too coarse and does not respond to our lawn care tips for promoting a healthy lawn. 

If you know the type of grass on your property, you’ll be able to see if it is even possible to create softness. 

Some varieties are inherently tough, coarse, and prickly, and no amount of lawn maintenance will create a soft and plush feel. 

If this is the case for you, you’ll need to establish a new type of grass. 

When choosing a grass variety, it is vital to consider the conditions it will be growing in.

  • Climate: There are warm-season and cool-season varieties of grass. Planting the wrong type is frustrating as you will be battling the elements to get your grass to grow healthily. 
  • Lifestyle: Many soft grass varieties tend to be more sensitive to foot traffic. If your family includes children and dogs, you’ll want to consider investing in a grass seed capable of withstanding tiny running feet and paws. 
  • Sunlight: Certain grasses do better in the shade vs. sun. Take some time to analyze how much sunlight covers your lawn as well as times of day with the most sun. 

The Best Grass Types For A Soft Lawn

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There are some true grass seed varieties for growing the best and softest lawns for bare feet. 

Many homeowners are devoted fans to their grass seed variety once they find a soft and lush one suitable for their lifestyle and location. 

Choosing the best grass type for you requires the kind of research you are doing right now to make sure you don’t waste your valuable time and money on an unsuitable variety. 

After reading our comprehensive guide, we recommend consulting a professional well-versed in your location and climate if you are still unsure. 

They will know what does and doesn’t work for your climate. 

Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is arguably the best suited for growing a dense, lush, and soft lawn. 

Its unique growing pattern and density make it an excellent choice for soft grass. 

In addition to its softness, Zoysia grass boasts commendable hardiness making it an excellent choice for those who want durability and softness from their grass. 

Zoysia also requires far less maintenance than other grass types due to its resilience and hardiness. 

This type of grass is also able to fill in gaps which makes it an excellent choice for areas prone to high traffic and damage from pets. 

What Makes Zoysia Grass Different?

Zoysia grass grows uniquely compared to other grass types. 

Its roots send out runners underground. 

This allows the grass to grow out laterally and up through the soil creating dense grass. 

The runners also called stolons, promote the plush, carpet feel we’re seeking for barefoot-friendly grass. 

Strong root networks create dense grass and hardiness, leading to less maintenance and damage control from heavy use, pests, and disease. 

If for some reason you want get rid of it, check out our guide for how to kill Zoysia grass for good.

Zoysia Grass Helps Grow A Low-Maintenance Lawn

Because of Zoysia grass’s unique growing method, its density also chokes out weeds and crabgrass, making maintenance easier. 

In many ways, Zoysia grass takes care of itself, reducing the need for meticulous lawn maintenance. 

The density prohibits weeds and leads to less frequent mowing. 

Since the grass grows out more than it grows up, it doesn’t reach mowing height as frequently as other varieties may. 

Zoysia’s comprehensive root system generally requires less watering when compared to other grass types. 

Hybrid Varieties Of Bermuda Grass

Hybrid varieties of Bermuda grass promote lush and dense lawns quickly. 

It establishes itself well in a variety of climates. 

Some Bermuda grass types tend to be coarse and tough on bare feet, but hybrid types tend to have fine-textured leaves, making them soft and lush. 

The hybrid variety of Bermuda grass is highly resistant to pests and disease, making it an excellent choice for homeowners looking to use fewer chemicals and pesticides on their lawns. 

Other Types Of Grasses For A Lush Soft Lawn

Hybrid Bermuda grass and Zoysia grass are undoubtedly most popular amongst homeowners looking to establish the best and softest lawn for bare feet. 

There are other grass types for barefoot lawns if your climate or location is inhospitable to either of those varieties. 

  • Buffalo Grass
  • Creeping Bentgrass
  • Creeping Red Fescue

Lawn Care Tips For Soft Lawns

If you already have a soft variety of grass but still struggle to achieve a lush, cushiony lawn, you’ll want to enact some of these practices to create the barefoot lawn of your dreams. 

Proper Mowing Practices

Regular mowing promotes healthy grass, and, as we know, healthy grass tends to be softer and denser, creating the perfect lawn for bare feet. 

Each type of grass has an ideal mowing height. 

You’ll want to make sure you are mowing regularly to keep the grass at the ideal height. 

Waiting too long between mows will take a toll on your lawnmower. 

Make sure your lawnmower blades are sharpened. 

Dull blades get jammed more easily and tend to harm grass with dull cuts. 

Most lawn mowers should be taken into a shop or sharpened at home to ensure they are tip-top shape. 

Check out our guide on how often to mow your lawn (with helpful tables!).

Best Watering Methods

Most homeowners agree mid-morning watering is the best time to quench our lawns. 

Watering before the peak of the day’s heat allows water to be absorbed into the roots and soil before the sun and heat dries it up. 

The sun’s heat also makes afternoon watering less than ideal because the water evaporates before reaching deep into the soil for the roots. 

Night watering is also not great. 

It tends to waterlog the soil and create an ideal space for pests and disease. 

Each type of grass requires different levels of moisture. 

Make sure you know how much your lawn needs for ideal health. 

Regular Aeration For A Soft Lawn

There are many reasons to regularly aerate your lawn. 

Aeration allows for air and water to penetrate the soil. 

These resources are vital to the healthy growth of a thriving lawn. 

Foot traffic, snow, and other factors pack down soil leading to less room for air and water. 

Depending on your lawn’s foot traffic and conditions, you may need to aerate more frequently. 

Fertilizing To Promote Healthy And Lush Grass

All grass types get their nutrients from the soil. 

Sometimes our soil needs an extra kick to increase nutrients for our grass. 

Since unhealthy grass tends to be dry and coarse, we want to ensure it is getting all the nutrients needed to grow dense and soft barefoot-friendly lawns. 

It is important to note applying more fertilizer than needed burns grass. 

Make sure you carefully follow instructions for fertilizer and monitor to ensure you are not burning grass with fertilizer. 

Regular fertilization allows grass to grow healthily and increases its resistance to pests and disease. 

Health Benefits Of Walking Barefoot On Grass

There is something special about the feel of bare feet on the soft grass. 

It is undoubtedly relaxing and generally just feels good. 

Did you know there are other health benefits to walking barefoot?

  • Helps decrease stress on joints
  • May improve blood circulation
  • Provides exfoliation for feet
  • Positive effects on balance and posture
  • Helps to restore a natural gait

I’m sure we all have our favorite pairs of shoes, but it’s time to kick them off and start enjoying the benefits of walking barefoot on soft, lush lawns.