How to Choose Lawn Grass Seed

Planting the right grass seed will lead to a lush green lawn.

You can classify grasses into two key groups: the grasses that grow well in warm climates and the grasses that grow well in cool climates. Before you purchase grass seed, you should consider your climate, the amount of sunlight your yard receives and the purpose of your grass. Grasses require certain conditions and care just like garden plants. If you select the right grass, your reward will be a green and thriving lawn.

Things You'll Need

• Zone map for planting grass
• Sun calculator

Instructions

1. Consult a zone map to determine what type of grasses grow best in your area. A general rule of thumb is the cool season grasses grow well where there are cold winters, and warm season grasses grow well where there are mild winters. Certain areas benefit from a combination of both cool and warm grasses. This mixture, called transitional grass seeds, will extend the growing period of your lawn.

2. Place a sun calculator in different areas of your lawn over a few days. Follow the directions for your specific meter. Record the amount of sunlight the area receives each day. Some grasses will need a full day of sunlight to thrive. These grasses include varieties such as bluegrass and ryegrass. Fescue is more tolerant of shady areas than most other grasses.

3. Decide on how much maintenance you are willing to do on your grass. Certain grass varieties, such as St. Augustine grass, grow extremely quickly. They need cutting often to avoid having thatch problems during the growing season. Fescue is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance lawn.

4. Think about how much foot traffic your lawn will receive. A lawn that is primarily used for aesthetics does not need to be as durable as a yard with a child's play area. Bermudagrass is often used for sports areas and golf courses. This type of grass will hold up well to constant wear and tear, whereas creeping bentgrass is not able to hold up against foot traffic.

5. Choose a grass that meets all your needs. It is not enough to consider only one critical factor when choosing grass. Many garden centers sell mixtures of grass seed types. This may be a reasonable choice if you cannot find one specific grass type that meets all of your needs. A combination of grass seeds allows one type of grass to make up for the shortcomings of another.

References

• Purdue University & University of Illinois Extension: Purchasing Quality Grass Seed for your Lawn
• Seedland: Grass Climate Zone Map
• Cornell University: Choosing Lawn Grasses
• Outside Pride: Warm vs. Cool Season Grasses
• University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Turfgrass Traffic and Compaction Problems and Solutions

Resources

• Texas Cooperative Extension: Bermudagrass