FYI Magazine

Climate a Key Factor When Choosing the Right Grass

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Choosing a new grass for a lawn depends on more than just aesthetic appeal. Where a person lives and the type of lawn he or she has should carry more weight than how a lawn looks upon its initial installation. 

• * Kentucky bluegrass: The most popular cool-climate grass, Kentucky bluegrass is ideal for lawns that get lots of sun. Because it has shallow roots, Kentucky blue grass is not very drought-tolerant. If planting Kentucky bluegrass, it's best to do so in fall or spring. Kentucky bluegrass is medium-textured with green to dark green turf.
• * Perennial ryegrass: Perennial ryegrass is generally easy to find and grows quickly from seed. Commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrasses are shiny with a medium to dark green turn and a fine or medium texture. It's best to plant perennial ryegrass in the fall.
• * Creeping bentgrass: Very low and very fine in texture, creeping bentgrass, like all bent grasses, is susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases, making it one of the more high-maintenance grasses. Homeowners who plant creeping bentgrass should expect to mow it frequently.
• * Shade tolerant fescues: As their name suggests, shade tolerant fescues handle shade very well. These fescues, which include fine fescues and red fescues, typically have very fine blades and can survive extreme cold as well as withstand hot summers. Shade tolerant fescues are typically medium to dark green and perform best when planted in the fall or during spring.

• * Bermuda grass: Bermuda grass is a very popular warm-climate grass as it's capable of withstanding the heat but does not do nearly as well in the shade. Common Bermuda grass can be somewhat coarse and establishes itself rapidly. Golfers would likely recognize Bermuda grass, as it's commonly used on golfing greens. When planting Bermuda grass, it's best to do so in spring.
• * St. Augustine grass: St. Augustine grass requires at least six hours of direct sun per day. Best planted in early summer, St. Augustine grass is fast-growing. 
• * Zoysia grass: Zoysia grass grows slower than most warm-climate grasses, but some Zoysia species also have a much greater cold tolerance. Zoysia grass has a medium green color and the texture is medium. The deep root system of Zoysia grass enables it to withstand most difficult droughts. Best planted in early summer, Zoysia grass is resistant to insect problems and disease.
• * Centipede grass: Light to medium green in color, centipede grass is generally low-maintenance and performs better in shade than most of its warm-weather counterparts. Shallow roots make centipede grass susceptible to drought, but those shallow roots also make it perform better in poor soil. Centipede grass is best planted during the spring.

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