The Right Grass For a Green Lawn

Your lawn is the very basic foundation of your landscaping project.  If you plants and other installations are your paints, then your lawn is the canvas on which your masterpiece of landscaping will unfold.  However, a green and luxurious lawn doesn’t just happen.  It takes just as much work, dedication and maintenance to keep your lawn green as it takes to make the rest of your landscaping thrive.  That doesn’t mean that you need to quit your day job and devote yourself 24/7 to maintaining your lawn.

Selecting the right grass for your lawn from the start is the very basic foundation for a successful lawn.  If you pick the wrong grass you will find yourself struggling to keep it up (and quite possibly failing in the effort).  A grass is not a grass is not a grass.  That is to say that not all grasses are the same and not all are suitable for all locations.

Climate

The greatest factor that should be considered when selecting the grass for your lawn is climate.  Not all grasses are equally suited to all climates.  Warm season grasses are best suited for the southernmost states within the United States.  The northern states and Canada provide a better setting for cool season grasses.
There is a transitional zone that lies between the prime areas for warm and cool season grasses and which encompasses a great deal of the eastern states, as well.  This in-between area can prove problematic, as it is often to hot during the hottest part of the year for cool season grasses ;  it is also too cold during the coldest part of the year for warm season grasses.

Cool Season Grasses

Cool season grasses are most suitable for use in the northern states and in the southern portions of Canada.  These grasses flourish in cooler, arid climates and are more resistant to damage from frost and freezing temperatures during their dormant periods.  Some well-known and easy to maintain cool season grasses include rye grass, fescues, bent grasses and blue grasses.

Warm Season Grasses

Warm season grasses are those most suitable for the warmer and more humid climates found in the southern portion of the United States.  Warm season grasses can vary in water needs, but most fair poorly in cold and are not resistant to frost.  Well-known examples of warm season grasses include such notable names as Bahia, Zoysia, St. Augustine Bermuda, buffalo and centipede grasses.

Further Considerations

Most successful lawns are comprised of multiple grass species.  By using multiple species of grass, the lawn is able to take advantage of the individuals strengths of each species represented.  This allows for a better chance of a lawn remaining green throughout various climate changes through the seasons.

Besides just considering climate, you should also consider the actual layout of your landscape.  Shady areas can be much more difficult on lawn growth and cool season grasses are usually more successful in the shade.  More rugged grasses, such as bluegrass and rye should be used in high traffic areas.  Grasses, like bluegrass or buffalo grass, which require less water should be utilized in areas that receive less rainfall or that are more difficult to water.

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