Turfgrass (Lawn) Types and Locations
Certain grasses grow better in cool northern climates, while others are more suitable for warm southern climates. When planting a new lawn or overseeding, it is vital that the right grass be used for the location. A mixture of grasses produces a highly desirable lawn. |
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Northern Grasses|Southern Grasses|Grass Choices and Location
Northern Grasses (Cool Season Grasses)[back to top]
Northern grasses (cool season grasses) are suitable for northern climates because it grows during the cool seasons of spring and fall.
Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
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A very desirable northern turf grass, Kentucky bluegrass spreads from runners to form deep green sod with a fine texture. It grows best in areas with mild summers and ample water. It is not suitable for southern climates that exceed 85º degrees for long periods of time. Kentucky bluegrass requires full sun, frequent watering and well drained soils. It can be propagated from runners, tillers, or from seed. Use at least two varieties of Kentucky bluegrass to reduce the probability of diseases or insects destroying the entire lawn. |
Red Fescue (Festuca rubra)
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Often grown with Kentucky bluegrass, Red fescue is known for its fine textured leaves and low maintenance qualities. It is superior to most cool season turf grasses in shade adaptation. It rarely suffers from any disease or insect problems. The roots of red fescue reach deep into the soil, allowing it to find water during droughts. Sow 3 to 4 pounds of seed for every 1,000 square feet. |
Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
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Tall fescue is a tough grass, well adapted to sunny or partially shady areas. It forms a moderate to coarse-textured lawn that is uniform in appearance with good weed and disease resistance. Tall fescue tolerates warm summer temperatures and stays green during cool, but not severe winter conditions. It’s a good choice for lawns that border the North and South. Tall fescue is a good species to plant for general lawn use. With its deep roots, it tolerates drought better than other northern grasses. Tall fescue does not spread by underground runners and therefore does not form thatch. It is best not to mix this grass with others, unless it makes up the majority of the mixture. |
Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
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A fast growing grass, perennial ryegrass is often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass. Although the bluegrass eventually crowds out the ryegrass, it is often used to add instant color to the newly established lawn. If mixed, keep the quantity of ryegrass around 20 percent. Perennial ryegrass is highly resistant to insect pests and disease. It prefers full sun, frequent watering, and can grow in any soil. Use 4 to 8 pounds of seed to cover 1,000 square feet of ground. |
Colonial Bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis)
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An extremely high maintenance grass, Colonial bentgrass has a low tolerance for heat, salinity, water stress and traffic. It requires frequent irrigation, aerating and dethatching, and a relatively high level of fertilizer. Colonial bentgrass is slow to become established and is quite vulnerable to pest and disease. It does not tolerate shade well, but it can be grown in areas too acidic for Kentucky bluegrass. Colonial bentgrass tends to be used mostly on golf courses. |
Purchase the following specially blended northern grass seed from Garden's Alive to assist in creating a beautiful lawn.
Southern Grasses (Warm Season Grasses) [back to top]
Southern grasses (warm season grasses) grow in the summer months during the hottest months, as opposed to cool season grasses which die or go dormant (cool season grasses grow during the fall and spring).
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
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The most common warm season grass, bermudagrass establishes itself very quickly by spreading from stolons or rhizomes. It thrives under full sun and does not tolerate shade. It requires less watering and grows well in any soil, ranging from heavy clay to deep sand. Plant bermudagrass by sod or springs. |
St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
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St. Augustinegrass is a coarse-textured subtropical grass with pointed blades. Similar to bermudagrass, it spreads at a moderate rate by both stolons and runners. St. Augustinegrass is very durable, can grow in the shade, and needs well-drained soil. While it needs regular watering, it is a low maintenance grass that grows well in colder environments, but does not grow well in the deep South. Plant St. Augustinegrass in the spring or early summer from sod, stolons, or plugs. |
Zoysia (Zoysia spp.)
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Zoysia is a low maintenance grass that spreads slowly by stolons and rhizomes. As a result, it requires less mowing and fertilizing. However, it must be watered regularly during dry months as it has shallow roots. It does not mix well with other grass varieties and is highly resistant to diseases and insects. Similar to the other warm season grasses, thatch must be removed once a year. Zoysia will tolerate shade, but prefers full sun. To propogate, plant Zoysia from plugs or sprigs. |
Purchase the following specially blended southern grass seed from Garden's Alive to assist in creating a beautiful lawn.
Grass Choices and Location [back to top]
Grass choices are dependent on the climate to which the lawn is located. In the northeast and northern midwest (zone 6 or colder hardiness zones), use mixtures of 50% Kentucky bluegrass, 30% to 40% Red fescue, and 10% to 20% perennial ryegrass.
In the northern plains and mountain areas, use a mixture of crested wheatgrass and red fescue. If the lawn is watered regularly, use 50% Kentucky bluegrass, 30% to 40% Red fescue, and 10% to 20% perennial ryegrass. In the coastal northwest, use 50% Kentucky bluegrass, 30% to 40% Red fescue, and 10% to 20% colonial bentgrass. In the deep south, use Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, or zoysia in humid southern climates.
Purchase the following products from Garden's Alive to assist in selecting the most suitable grass seed based on location.
Ball, Jeff and Liz. Rodale's Landscape Problem Solver: A Plant-by-Plant Guide. Pennsylvania: Rodale Press. 1989.
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