Climate Control: How Where You Live Dictates the Type of Grass in your Lawn

Articles on Lawns | Topics: lawns, lawn, lawncare

by Micah Norman

When deciding on the type of grass for your garden there are many things you need to consider. Depending on the amount of maintenance you are willing to do and what sort of activities you want your lawn area for, you will want to select a grass seed mix that meets your. You will also want to choose a mix that suits your climate because different grasses thrive in different climates. Here is an overview of some of the main types of grasses and which climates they are best suited to.

Bahia

Bahia grass does well in humid heat climates. It is deeply rooted and quite tough and resistant. The texture of Bahia grass is a bit rough, but its heat and heavy rainfall resistance more than makes up for that.

Centipede

This type of grass requires a warm climate and needs to be in sunny spots or partial shade. Centipede grass is tough and it can thrive with very little care in southern climates. Centipede can survive where other grasses have failed to take root.

Bentgrass

Bentgrass can be a slightly challenging variety, but if you are up for that challenge then you will be rewarded with a lawn that looks and feels like carpeting. The texture of Bentgrass is quite fine and this type of grass requires a great deal of mowing to prevent it from becoming spongy. Bentgrass is suitable for small areas and homemade putting greens, but is not practical for an entire lawn.

Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass is native to the Great Plains and has only recently been used for home lawns. This grass is suited to a dry climate and has a high tolerance for cold and drought. It really doesn't require much maintenance and really needs less watering and fertilizing than most other varieties of grass.

Bluegrass

Bluegrass does well in more moderate climates and it is best suited to heavy, well-drained soil. The color of Bluegrass is unmatched by other varieties, as is the texture. There are some types of Bluegrass that can grow in the shade, but most varieties require half a day of sunlight.

Perennial Ryegrass

Historical Quote

I’d take off all my clothes
& cross the damp cold lawn & down the bluff
into the terrible water & walk forever
under it out toward the island.

—John Berryman (1914–1972)

You can mix in Perennial Ryegrass with your bluegrass and fescue for improved resistance to wear and tear. It can also be used in warmer climates as a kind of winter grass if it is planted in the early fall. The Perennial Ryegrass will maintain its color throughout the winter and then will died in the heat of the summer just as the permanent grass comes to full life again. Perennial Ryegrass requires a great deal of direct sunlight to grow.

Fine Fescue

Fine Fescue is not the kind of grass that can tolerate much wear and tear, but there are some benefits to this type of grass. This variety can grow in partial shade and can even grow in dry shade under a tree. Fine Fescues can survive in spots that are cold, dry and windy. Fine Fescues do well in cooler climates and can even survive brutal winter weather if they are well fed.

Tall Fescue

Similar in some ways to Fine Fescue, the Tall Fescue grass variety is really adaptable and has become particularly popular in climates that have warm summers and mild winters. Tall Fescue grass can grow in partial shade and also does well beneath trees particularly those that shed leaves every fall. If you fertilizer correctly, Tall Fescue will reward you with a brilliant green color throughout most of the year.

Zoysia

This type of grass is best suited to sunny and well-drained spaces. It does take a bit of time to establish itself so you will need to have a bit of patience if you choose to grown this type of grass from seed, rather than laying down sod. The texture of this grass is fine and looks luxurious, but all of that comes at a price you will need to spend a lot of time caring for your grass and nurturing it along.

Picking the right type of grass for your climate will make all the difference. If you take some time now and research different grass types, you will save yourself a lot of time and hassle in the long run.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Climate Control: How Where You Live Dictates the Type of Grass in your Lawn" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FlowersPlantsGardening.com.

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