Shade-tolerant fine fescue, dense and cold-hardy Kentucky bluegrass, and fast-growing perennial ryegrass all grow well in the central and southern parts of Alaska.
In a place like Alaska, choosing the right grass seed and knowing how to grow and care for it makes all the difference. Plus, you also need to know which grass meets your own personal preferences.
Key takeaways
For shady lawns: Fine fescue is not only cold-hardy and low-maintenance but also grows easily without direct sun.
For a thick turf carpet: Kentucky bluegrass is impressively cold-resistant and also stunning in appearance.
For fast-growing grass: Perennial ryegrass grows rapidly and is easy to care for.
Where in Alaska can you grow grass?: Parts of southern and central Alaska experience warm summers. So if you want a lush, green lawn, you can certainly get one here.
The shade-resistant fine fescue
The cold- and shade-resistant fine fescue is a great choice for Alaska. It comes in different varieties, so you can get the one that works best for you. Actared and boreal red fescues are native to the state, and they grow in local gravel. Generally, any fine fescue variety tolerates shade and is easy to grow.
However, if you want to use your lawn as more than a pretty background, take note that fine fescue doesn’t tolerate too much foot traffic. Also, the grass is rarely available as sod, which means you need to plant it and take care of it while it establishes.
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.)
The dense and cold-hardy Kentucky bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass grows into a dense, green turf once established. It gives a clean, showy cut. Moreover, it not only resists cold like a champ but also repairs itself from damage. It’s available as sod, allowing for quick establishment if desired.
Be aware, however, that this grass needs the most frequent watering out of the three. Therefore, it’s a bit more challenging to care for Kentucky bluegrass. It’s also prone to a variety of problems like thatch, diseases, insects, and weeds.
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Jacklin Seed – Biltmore Blue Blend – 100% Kentucky Bluegrass (5 lbs.)
The fast-growing perennial ryegrass
The last option is perennial ryegrass, a fast-growing, drought-tolerant grass. It will establish even quicker if you buy it as sod instead of seed. It’s not prone to thatching, and you can mow it with a reel mower.
There are some downsides to growing perennial ryegrass, however. It doesn’t heal itself well when it gets damaged, so too many barbecues and days spent outdoors may take their toll on the grass. It also doesn’t tolerate heat, drought, or shade. Additionally, it’s vulnerable to some diseases.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
How to choose the best grass in Alaska
Much of Alaska is cold and icy, but not all of it. Because of their overall milder weather, cities like Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan in the Southeast can grow beautiful, green turfgrass. Additionally, cities like Fairbanks in central Alaska experience warm summers compared to the rest of the state, so grass grows well there, too.
If you live in an area that gets warm summers, you can pick from the three aforementioned grasses. Here are their features, in a nutshell:
What the grass is best for | Grass type |
Best for a dense, green lawn | Kentucky bluegrass |
Least water-demanding | Perennial ryegrass |
Least maintenance-demanding | Fine fescue |
Best for busy lawns | Perennial ryegrass |
Best for shady lawns | Fine fescue |
Most weed-resistant | Perennial ryegrass |
Trust the pros
You may not be sure which grass type is right for you, or you simply may not have the time to take care of it. In that case, it may be a better option to hire a pro. Lawn Love can provide you with an instant quote from a local pro in just a few clicks.
Expert Sources
- Alaska Rock Garden Society
- National Weather Service
- PennState
- University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources
- University of Missouri
- University of Iowa
- Oklahoma State University
- Texas A&M
- University of Minnesota
- Purdue University
- University of Maryland
- North Carolina Extension Gardener
- Virginia State University Cooperative Extension
- Institute of Agriculture Natural Resources & Extension
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Main Image Credit: Bernt Rostad | Flickr | CC BY 2.0