Finding the best grass for northern Nevada means focusing on cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Whether you’re in the bustling city of Reno or all the way up in Elko, these grasses thrive in this region’s climate. Keep reading to discover your ideal lawn choice.
However, if you want to know the best grasses for the entire state, check out our article: “The Best Grass for Nevada Lawns.”
Tall fescue: Best grass for poor soils
Tall fescue is the best choice for poor soil conditions, including the sandy, low in organic matter, and alkaline soils often found in northern Nevada. Known for being resilient, tall fescue is also the most heat-tolerant of all cool-season grasses, which means it can survive the Silver State’s hot summers.
In Nevada, dwarf turf-type tall fescues are the most common varieties. These are often used to control erosion in areas near Lake Tahoe and in homes all over northern Nevada with moderate foot traffic. Learn more about this grass in our guide: “Tall Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend (5000 sq ft)
– Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed (choose your size)
– Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix (7 lb.)
Kentucky bluegrass: Best grass for durability
Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is one of the most common grasses in the Reno area, and it’s no wonder why. This grass is the most cold-resistant on our list and has the remarkable ability to self-repair, making it a durable choice for your lawn. In northern Nevada, KBG is often used in blends with perennial ryegrass.
However, KBG does come with some caveats. It needs full sun to thrive and demands regular watering to stay healthy, which might be a problem for some homeowners. Read more about this grass’s needs in our article: “Kentucky Bluegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Pro Tip: If you have KBG in the Biggest Little City in the World and are worried about watering it, check out our article: “Lawn Watering Days in Reno.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Perennial ryegrass: Best for rapid germination
One of the main benefits of perennial ryegrass is its rapid germination rate. This quick growth is particularly advantageous when planting it with slower-growing grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, as it provides immediate cover and helps prevent weed growth.
Perennial ryegrass is also good for thickening thinning lawns and is often used for overseeding Bermudagrass in other areas of the state (read more in “Best Grass for Southern Nevada“). However, this grass does not tolerate excessive cold temperatures or drought conditions well, which is why it is rarely used as a pure stand in northern Nevada.
Pro Tip: Learn more about this grass in our guide: “Perennial Ryegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
Fine fescue: Best grass for low-maintenance lawns
Fine fescues encompass a variety of grasses, including creeping red fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue. In northern Nevada, these grasses are often added to blends to provide homeowners with a low-maintenance lawn option, requiring minimal fertilizer, mowing, and watering. They’re also used to prevent erosion near Lake Tahoe.
Fine fescues do have a downside, though. They do not tolerate foot traffic well, so if you have kids or pets that frequently like to play in your yard, fine fescues might not be the choice for you. Read more about this grass’s requirements in our fine fescues guide.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed (choose your size)
– Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed (25 lbs.)
Call a professional
Now that you know the best grasses for northern Nevada, it’s time to start planting and caring for your lawn. Wait, you were already planning a drive around Tahoe? A hike at the Great Basin National Park?
Don’t worry, you can call a local lawn care professional to handle all the work for you while you enjoy the beauty of the state. We have pros in Reno, Sparks, and other northern Nevada cities at your disposal.
Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Lawn Love may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.
Main Image Credit: Jon Roanhaus | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
Related Posts:
