How to Choose the Best Lawn Grass

Member

By Gardengates
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (2 Ratings)

How to choose the best lawn grass

Before planting your lawn, do a little research on what kind of grass will do best in your space. Choosing the right turf grass will make a major difference in the success of your lawn.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Choose a grass for shade and versatility. One of the more popular grasses for lawns is the Tall Fescue. It is often used in lawn mixtures. Tall Fescue will grow in some shade areas where other grasses won't because it grows deeper roots than most other lawn grasses. It can also penetrate around tree root systems and compete for water. It takes longer to establish than ryegrass, but once rooted in Tall Fescue will form a durable grass with good foot traffic resistance. It can even handle animal grazing.
Step 2

Get the right lawn grass for your area. Better for planting in the northeastern and central areas of the United States, Kentucky Bluegrass is probably the most cold hardy of the lawn grasses. A good, dense grass with a rich green color, it is frequently sold all over the country although it really isn't a good choice for hot, dry climates. Choose this lawn grass for moist and cool climates.
Step 3

Look for heat resistant lawn grass. For those hot, dry climates, Buffalo grass is gaining quickly in popularity. It has a very deep root system, needs little mowing and can handle very low water. It has a slightly less formal habit of growth than most other lawn grasses but makes up for it with easy maintenance. Unfortunately, Buffalo grass is relatively expensive, but if demand continues to grow - especially in drought impacted areas - prices are likely to go down.
Step 4

Perennial ryegrass is probably the most commonly used lawn grass since it germinates so quickly and forms a thick, deep green carpet that accepts many different soils including relatively poor drainage. This is a cool season grass that does better without heat and too much stress as the roots are not very long. It will recover quickly from heavy foot traffic with fertilizer which is why it is often used for sports areas.
Step 5

Keep in mind the pros and cons. Zoysia grass is another lawn with somewhat course, wide leaf blades. Good for heat tolerance and quite drought tolerant, Zoysia can be a fairly high maintenance lawn grass selection as it is prone to insect and rust problems and builds up a self-strangulating thatch that needs regular removal. The grass also creeps aggressively with rhizomatic roots that can invade other garden areas.
Step 6

Consider salt resistance. Popular in the South and along the Gulf Coast, St. Augustine is one of the best salt tolerant grasses and will grow well in of a lot of different types of soil. It will go dormant in the winter so if you want a green lawn year round, you will have to over-seed it in the autumn with another grass like rye grass.
Step 7

Using Bermuda grass in warm climates is another favorite. It has aggressive roots that stray into areas where it isn't wanted but these same tough roots allow it to withstand hot temperatures and drought. They also grow in a deep tangle that makes them hard to remove when they invade garden areas. This grass goes semi-dormant in the winter and will not tolerate shade. It accepts a wide variety of soils but prefers good drainage.
Step 8

Look for specialty grasses. Bentgrass is an example of a very low-growing, fine grass that will do well in the northern parts of the country. It is very high maintenance and best for specialty use like golf greens.
Step 9

By choosing the best turf grass for your home, you can reduce maintenance and make your lawn look its best. Plant lawns where they will be useful as well as attractive and grow the right kind of grass to fit your climate and needs.