Not all grass is created equally. In fact, there are a number of different types of grass you can choose when laying sod as part of your landscaping project, and some types will work better than others at certain sites. There are actually about 50 different types of grasses used for lawns around the world. Before you spend the money on seed or sod, take a moment to compare the options available. Here are some of the most common and practical choices:
Kentucky Bluegrass
No, bluegrass isn't just a type of music - it really is a type of grass as well. As the name implies, bluegrass is a blueish-green color and works well in climates where the seasons change significantly from summer to winter. The downside to Kentucky bluegrass is that it needs plenty of water and takes to the soil slowly, so you'll find it to be finicky at first. Kentucky bluegrass, however, is great to mix in with other types of grass seed, or it can stand alone. It is a fairly versatile type of grass as long as it can get enough sun where it is planted.
Canadian Bluegrass
Candian bluegrass is an extremely tolerant species of grass, and it doesn't nee a lot of maintenance. It works best in Canada and the northern United States, and is a good choice for fields, sloped parts of your landscaping, and hard-to-reach areas.
Rough Bluegrass
If you have a yard that is shaded, but still gets a lot of rain, rough bluegrass might be a good choice for you. This type of grass will grow in almost any type of soil, and it is bright green and extremely thick. You'll even find that it keeps its color over the winter. It won't grow well in full sun and need moderate amounts of maintenance, but it is a good substitute for Kentucky bluegrass in a shaded landscape.
Red Fescue
If you live in an area that doesn't get a ton of rain, red fescue might be right for you. This type of seed doesn't take long to germinate and can grow even n shady areas. Red fescue mixes well with Kentucky bluegrass to bring out the best qualities in both types of grass, but creeping red fescue can also be used alone. You can also used fescue varieties like tall fescue and meadow fescue, which are fairly hardy, even in very cold climates.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass may look beautiful in pictures, but it shouldn't be used by itself except in warm climates where it rarely sees frost. Bermuda grass needs a lot of sun and isn't tolerant of cold weather, though it can be successfully used in a blend with tougher grass species. Zoysia is another type of grass that is great to use only if you live in a warm climate, where there is little frost.
Bent Grass
Bent grass looks great, but is also time consuming. Most homeowners find it too time consuming for their lawns, in fact. This grass species is regularly used on golf course putting greens, though, and is hardy enough to withstand cold winters. If you want to use bent grass, you have to be able to fertilize it and water it daily, as well as closely manicure it to keep it extremely short.
Perennial Ryegrass
One of the most popular types of grasses across the board is perennial ryegrass. Make sure you don't get the annual version, which will die off every year. Perennial ryegrass needs to be watered regularly during a hot summer, but it does well with traffic and tolerates most types of soil perennial ryegrass is often the grass of choice for sports fields.
Wheatgrass
There are several different wheatgrass species, and many grow well in cool-season environments (i.e., climates where there is a definite change from summer to winter). Wheatgrass is extremely tolerant of drought situations and will grow well in most types of soil. Unlike many other species, wheatgrass has a course texture, so many prefer to mix it in with other grass varieties.
How do you choose the right grass for your lawn? Whenever possible, choose a grass that is native to your area - your lawn and garden store representatives or landscape designer can help you find those options. Remember, you don't have to create a lawn that is purely one type of grass. Sometimes, the best option is to purchase a mixture, which will give your lawn a full, lush, and textured look. This also ensures that grass will grow whether the seed lands in the sun or in the shade. For most, a mixture of some of the above grasses is the best option - and don't forget that you can also choose clover, moss, or even stone instead of grass.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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