Types of Grass Seed
Growing a new lawn can be a frustrating experience, especially for people who don't know much about lawn care. With the wide variety of seeds available on the market, the task becomes even more confusing. While some types of grass can grow in almost any climate and withstand even the most rigorous use, others need specific soil conditions and may be delicate. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ryegrass
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Ryegrass is available in both perennial and annual and can be purchased pure or as a mixture with other grass seeds. It is typically included as a mix with grasses such as blue grass because it germinates quickly, giving ground cover while the slower seeds grow in. Ryegrass is a turf grass and is commonly used as sports turf and to feed forage animals.
Kentucky Bluegrass
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Despite its name, Kentucky bluegrass is native to almost all of Europe, Northern Asia, the mountains of Algeria and Morocco. The seeds can be found in mixtures of part Kentucky, Newport Kentucky and Marion Kentucky. It is popular because it creates a dense sod and a nice color, ranging from light green to deep blue-green. The grass is delicate and is not recommended in high-traffic areas.
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Fescue
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Fescue is a popular choice for the eco-friendly crowd because it is tolerant to drought. The seeds are available in varieties of creeping red fescue, tall fescue and meadow fescue. Fescue is a cool season grass and is mostly found in Canada. A new variety called "Tall Fescue Blend Smart" allegedly contains natural microorganisms.
Red Top
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Red top is most often found in the northeast. The seeds need a humid climate for proper growth but will grow in almost any soil and water conditions. The grass is dense and coarse, making it a poor choice for lawns. It is typically used for erosion control around waterways. Sometimes it is used as a turf mixture, and it commonly is found in hay.
Bentgrass
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Among the approximately 100 species of bentgrass, only four are commonly used. Bentgrass is used mainly as turf. The seeds do best in the northern states due to the cool and humid climates. However, even in the south, bentgrass is susceptible to disease and drought, and its only real use is on golf courses.
Zoysia
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Zoysia grasses are mostly found in northern climates, yet certain species, such as zenith, do well in southern climates, too. Zoysia is a popular choice for lawns because it has a nice medium textured leaf. It also overrides weeds and is heat resistant. However, because it often kills anything in its path, often taking over the neighbor's yards as well, many cities have ordinances in place against zoysia grass.
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References
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- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons/Makks2010 - Public Domain
