Growing and maintaining a healthy, green lawn doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, laborious chore.
It’s commonly used for overseeding a warm season lawn. One of the main features that makes bluegrass such a popular choice is that it is adapted to a very wide variety of uses: lawns, play areas, golf courses, sports fields etc.. Kentucky bluegrass will not perform in areas of deeper shade, and will need regular fertilizing to look its best. Ryegrass is intolerant of extreme heat or cold.
This warm-season perennial grass thrives in the absence of high irrigation and fertilization, needs little mowing and is perfect for those wanting a more low-maintenance native or meadow look. It’s not easy. Plan ahead before planting grass seed.
Zoysia grass spreads by stolons and rhizomes to create a dense lawn that can handle heavy foot traffic in warmer regions.
Although not native to the United States, it is well adapted and widely found in low-lying pasture areas of the Pacific Northwest and South.
Newer varieties of old favorites are often more resistant to diseases and pests.
You can purchase mixed grass seed that is designed to meet specific needs, such as drought-resistant grasses or mixes that you can grow to repair damaged lawns.
Zoysia (Zoysia spp, zones 6 to 9). Planting a magic carpet of green starts with learning about the types of grass suitable for your region. In general, seed should be sown either in spring or fall; sod can be laid year-round if you live in a Southern climate. Most of these mixes also contain technology that helps with water absorption and retention to improve growth.
Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. That is, if you plant the right grass seed for your particular region of the country. For more specific information for your region, contact a nearby university extension office or local nursery.
For example: Fine-tuning your answers to these questions will help you choose the best grass type for your landscape.
It’s also adapted to a wide range of soil types, does fairly well in moderate shade and provides good coverage with minimal mowing.
The best time to plant cool-season grass seed is in late summer or early fall. It flourishes with the full sunlight in the warmer regions of the Southeast United States. It should be planted in late spring. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts).
It spreads by both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), which helps it to form a thick, dense turf. Seed mixtures: Some seed mixtures combine several different grass types in one seed package. Have all of the necessary materials and tools available, including a water sprinkler and a garden hose long enough to reach the planting area. This grass can actually fill in bare spots more quickly because it spreads by rhizomes (a horizontal underground stem that sends out its own roots and shoots) and tillers to create a dense sod lawn. All Rights Reserved. Does your grass need to stand up to lots of foot traffic? Yes and no.
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It must be watered frequently, but can withstand being cut very short, reducing the number of times you must mow throughout the summer. When new grass is three-inches high, remove the mulch and lightly mow.
Cool-season grass generally originates in the North and is characterized by rapid growth in the spring and fall. Know if your selected grass type is best started by sod pieces or by seed, and what time of year is best to get the lawn started in your area.
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) do best in Northern climates, while warm-season grasses (St. Augustine, zoysia) fare better in Southern climates. Although it grows best in moist environments, tall fescue actually has good drought tolerance. Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. Discontinue use of any weed control products before planting new grass. A grass variety recommended for one area of the country may be discouraged for use in another area. Who Built the Air Force's Secret New Fighter Jet? Rather than cover bare spots, these mixes quickly thicken up thinning patches. It is adapted to many soil types but prefers well-drained clay soils, and it does fairly well in more shaded conditions. Meanwhile, pull any visible weeds by hand to help prevent an invasion of weeds that take moisture from the soil and absorb the nutrients and fertilizers that are essential for successfully growing grass.
As a result, Bermuda grass forms a thick, dense lawn. Consider a blend of grasses to promote a healthy, disease-resistant ecosystem.
Using more than the recommended amount can cause more harm than good for the new grass.
Finally, pick a type of grass seed that can stand up to the amount of foot traffic your lawn receives. This warm-season perennial grass can have either coarse or fine texture, and is adapted to a wide range of soils. Need Help? Seed mixtures: Some seed mixtures combine several different grass types in one seed package. Healthy lawns reduce soil erosion, absorb rainfall, help filter ground water, improve air quality and produce much-needed oxygen. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. One solution to the lawn issue lies in selecting the best type of lawn for your area. It does not stand up well in shady areas or to excessive foot traffic. Bermuda grass fills in quickly and its aggressive growth is helpful to resist weeds.
Lawn repair mix: These products combine grass seed, starter fertilizer and mulch in a single package. This grass has a coarse texture and is adapted to moist, coastal areas with mild winter temperatures. Take the time to prepare the soil properly before installing your grass.
You may need a grass that resists drought.
You can purchase mixed grass seed that is designed to meet specific needs, such as drought-resistant grasses or mixes that you can grow to repair damaged lawns.. This self-spreading variety withstands cold and is resistant to disease. Before you plant in a new area, prepare the soil by removing existing plants, weeds and stones.
Different types of grass will thrive in different conditions.
This guide outlines different grass types for your lawn and get grass seed planting tips for growing a lush lawn. Wait until the new grass has been mowed a few times before applying any herbicides. Bahia grass is a moderately aggressive grass that can be found on some lawns from Florida through the southern Coastal Plans and the Texas Gulf Coast, where resilience in turf grass is needed.
Pick the right seed, and your lawn will need little to no maintenance. Just say when, where and how. Meet the Most Popular Mechanic in America, The 6 Most Popular Border Fence Technologies, 25 of the Most Popular PopMech Stories of 2016. Warm-season grass originates in the South and grows best in hot weather.
Here, are descriptions and details on the best types of grass to grow in different parts of the country. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Best Garden Hoses for More Than Just Your Garden, Tested: Stihl’s MSA 200 C-B Electric Chainsaw, Robot Mowers to Take Care of the Lawn for You. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. St. Augustine is a “carpet” grass that creates a great low-profile lawn with high heat tolerance. Bahia Grass. Some warm-season grass seeds, such as Zoysia, should be planted at least 90 days before the last frost in your area or the seed may not survive the winter. Low-maintenance Buffalo grass is a tough turf grass found in the Great Plains from Montana to Mexico. These packages contain only one variety of grass seed. It is commonly found on golf course putting greens and requires significant maintenance.
Pick the species of grass seed that matches your climate and your yard’s sun exposure. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. There is no one-size-fits-all grass that will do well everywhere, so it’s best to consult the extension office in your county for recommendations. Cool-season grass types often turns brown during periods of high summer heat.
This all-purpose mixture is used for reseeding bare areas in your lawn and prevents you from having to buy all the items separately. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Other than mowing regularly and occasionally applying a fertilizer, lawns are actually pretty low maintenance, and most lawns can thrive with little more than healthy soil, sunshine and a little rain. There are more than a dozen different types of grasses, and many lawns contain a mixture of two or more types. Much depends on what type of grass you choose, and if you choose the “wrong” type for your area, you’re in for high water bills, lots of mowing and possibly an unhealthy landscape environment.
It grows quite well in those “transition” areas of the United States, where it’s too hot and humid for cool-season grasses, yet too cool for warm-season grasses. This runner-type grass does well in both sunny and shaded areas.
Centipede grass is popular throughout the Southern United States for its slow-growing and low-maintenance traits, even in poor soil. Suggested varieties: Belair, El Toro, Emerald, Meyer. Turf grasses fall into two basic categories: Warm-season grasses thrive in warmer climates, such as the southern, southeast and Gulf Coast regions of the U.S. Cool-season grasses are best suited for regions that experience cold winters and widespread temperature fluctuations, such as those states located in the north, northeast, upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. Cover the seeds to a depth of about 1/4-inch by raking dirt over them.
Also, the fertilizer and mulch are optimized for the particular seed you choose.
Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides, zones 4 to 9 and up). Buffalo grass is native to the Great Plains and adapts widely to other warm climates.
A lush, well-maintained lawn offers benefits beyond adding natural beauty to your home. Find the best grass for your lawn by comparing the features and characteristics of some of the most popular turfgrasses. Local store prices may vary from those displayed.
Blended-seed mixtures: Blended-seed mixtures combine several different kinds of the same grass species to capitalize on the strengths of each variety. Bahia grass is a tough, warm-season turfgrass especially suited to the heat and humidity of the South.It has a rougher texture than most turfgrasses, but because of this toughness, it can handle heavy foot traffic with ease. This type of grass seed often contains disease- and drought-resistant properties. Creeping Bentgrass provides a soft, dense, carpet-like lawn.
In southern climates it performs fairly well in semishaded areas, but the farther north you go, it’ll need more sun. It’s an extremely drought-tolerant grass, and although it will turn straw colored during severe drought conditions, it will respond very favorably to subsequent irrigation. Before you get started, ask yourself what your goals are for your lawn.
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Some grass seed mixes formulated for spot repair replace mulch with soil improvers to help roots develop. The strengths and weaknesses of each offset the others to keep your lawn green and healthy. Mulch the seeded area with landscape fabric or straw to retain moisture. Two main types of grass for turf are warm-season grass and cool-season grass.