Searching for the best grass seed for Colorado? You’re in the right place! Kentucky bluegrass tops the list as the most widely used grass in the state, known for its lush beauty and resilience.
In this article, we’ll dive into the best grass types for the Centennial State. Whether you’re in the arid plains or nestled in the Rocky Mountain foothills, choosing the right grass can make all the difference, so let’s get started.
Best cool-season grasses for Colorado
If you’re looking for a solid choice for Colorado lawns, cool-season grasses are it. They use the cooler months during spring and fall to develop a lush, green appearance then go dormant in the summer to conserve moisture and energy. Here are the best cool-season grasses for Colorado:
Kentucky bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass is the champion of lawns across Colorado and for good reason. Known for its dense turf and rich bluish-green hue, this grass does not just look beautiful: It has decent tolerance for foot traffic, making it a practical choice for homes with kids or pets.
However, Kentucky bluegrass does have its limitations. If your yard is heavily shaded, this grass will struggle, as it thrives best in areas that receive plenty of sunlight. For those sun-soaked Colorado lawns, though, it’s hard to find a better option.
Classification: Cool-season grass
Spreads by: Rhizomes
Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Foot traffic tolerance: Moderate
Maintenance needs: Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs.
Mowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches.
Potential for disease: Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut.
Soil pH: 6-7.5
Soil type: Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility.
Other notes: Colorado State University recommends seeding bluegrass at 3 to 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Perennial ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass is valued for its speedy germination and robust tolerance to foot traffic, which is why it is often used to renovate tired Kentucky bluegrass lawns that have thinned or sustained damage. It is one of the best grass seeds for overseeding in Colorado.
However, while perennial ryegrass stands up well to many challenges, it has its vulnerabilities. It is highly susceptible to diseases like leaf spot, and much like bluegrass, this grass is also not shade tolerant.
Classification: Cool-season grass
Spreads by: Has a bunch-type growth habit
Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: Low
Foot traffic tolerance: High
Maintenance needs: Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant.
Mowing height: Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches
Potential for disease: High. Common diseases include gray leaf spot, red thread, and leaf spot/melting-out.
Soil pH: Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but prefers between 6 and 7.
Soil type: Prefers good drainage and fertility, but can tolerate some poor drainage.
Other notes: The suggested seeding rate is 6 to 8 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Check out our guide to learn How and When to Plant Grass Seed in Colorado.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
Tall fescue
Tall fescue is a resilient choice for Colorado lawns, offering moderate shade tolerance and drought tolerance. This grass establishes quickly, making it a practical option for homeowners who want fast results.
On the flip side, tall fescue needs frequent mowing, as its rapid growth can quickly get out of hand. Additionally, the leaves of this grass tend to shred if mowed with dull blades, so you’ll need to sharpen your mower blades frequently to ensure a clean cut.
Classification: Cool-season grass
Spreads by: Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit
Shade tolerance: Moderate
Drought tolerance: Moderate to High
Foot traffic tolerance: Moderate
Maintenance needs: Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch.
Mowing height: Set mowing height to 2 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall.
Potential for disease: Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained.
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Soil type: Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage.
Other notes: The variety “K-31” or “Kentucky 31” is not recommended.
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.)
Fine fescues
Fine fescues include several varieties, namely hard fescue, Chewings fescue, sheep fescue, creeping red fescue, and slender creeping red fescue. These grasses have a fine texture and ability to withstand drought, though they may enter dormancy during extended periods of heat (when temperatures exceed 90 F for 1 or 2 weeks).
On the other hand, fine fescues are less tolerant of foot traffic compared to the other grass types listed so far, and their recovery can be slow when damaged. So, they’re best suited for areas in your yard that receive less wear and tear.
Classification: Cool-season grass
Spreads by: Creeping red fescue spreads by rhizomes, while other fine fescues are bunch-type grasses, such as Chewings, hard, and sheep fescues.
Shade tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
Drought tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
Foot traffic tolerance: Low to Moderate, depending on species
Maintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs
Mowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 4 inches, depending on species.
Potential for disease: Moderate. Common diseases include red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, and powdery mildew.
Soil pH: 6-6.5
Soil type: Will not perform well in wet soil conditions. Prefers drier soils and tolerates a wide range of soil types and fertility.
Other notes: Seed at 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of area.
Best warm-season grasses for Colorado
While cool-season grasses are the go-to choice for Colorado lawns, warm-season grasses also have their place, especially when considering native species like buffalograss and blue grama. Here are more details about these two Colorado native grasses:
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.)
Buffalograss
Buffalograss flourishes best in the warm summer months, thriving in the intense sun and becoming dormant and brown when the cold temperatures set in. Buffalograss is also naturally resilient to drought conditions, making it a great sustainable option.
In addition, buffalograss is low-maintenance — it needs minimal fertilization (check out our guide on When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Colorado) and mowing. However, it can present challenges during the initial establishment phase. Buffalograss is not the easiest grass to establish and may come with higher initial costs in the first year.
Classification: Warm-season grass
Spreads by: Stolons
Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: Low
Maintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs. Requires weed control.
Mowing height: Set the mowing height between 2 and 3 inches.
Potential for disease: Good tolerance against diseases and insects
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Soil type: Native clay soils, not sandy soils
Other notes: Buffalograss does not grow well at elevations above 6,500 feet, so check your city’s altitude before choosing this grass.
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)
Blue grama
Blue grama demonstrates impressive tolerance to cold and heat extremes, as well as drought conditions, making it a great option for Colorado. As a native species, blue grama naturally thrives with minimal intervention, requiring very little mowing and fertilizing.
On the other hand, this native grass is not suited for high-traffic areas, and it does not perform well in shaded areas. Similarly to buffalograss, blue grama enters a dormancy period during cooler temperatures, which means it will not maintain its green color year-round.
Classification: Warm-season
Spreads by: Rhizomes
Shade Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: High
Foot Traffic Tolerance: Low
Maintenance Needs: Low maintenance requirements
Mowing Height: Set mowing height between 2 and 3 inches
Potential for Disease: Low to Moderate. Its most prevalent disease is fungal rust.
Soil pH: 6.6-8.4
Soil Type: Tolerates a wide-range of soil textures, including clays and sandy or gravelly loams. Does not perform well in wet, poorly drained soils.
Other Notes: Seed at a seed rate of 1 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet, preferably in elevations under 6,500 feet.
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Blue Grama Grass Seeds (1 lb.)
– Nature’s Seed Blue Grama Grass Seeds (1 lb.)
Best ornamental grasses for Colorado
Ornamental grasses can transform your Colorado garden by adding unique texture, movement, and character. They’re also great if you plan to xeriscape your Colorado lawn.
C.R. Wilson, a Colorado State University horticulture agent, recommends using native ornamental grasses for dry sites, as they are well-suited to the state’s semi-arid conditions and require minimal watering once established. Here’s a list of a few of them:
- Indian rice grass (Achnatherum hymenoides)
- Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
- Side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)
- Sand love grass (Eragrostis gracilis)
- Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
For moist areas or gardens that can be regularly irrigated, there are several non-native grasses that can thrive in Colorado’s climate as well:
- Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha)
- Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
- Blue lyme grass (Leymus arenarius)
- Small Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus oligostachys)
- Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
How to choose the best grass seed for Colorado
Choosing the right grass seed for your Colorado lawn is a balancing act that requires careful consideration of the local climate and the specific characteristics of your yard. Here are a few factors to consider:
Elevation levels
Elevation is a critical factor when selecting the right grass for your Colorado lawn. For instance, native grasses like buffalograss and blue grama thrive below 6,500 feet, making them excellent choices for areas like Denver and Fort Collins.
However, if you live in higher elevation areas such as Colorado Springs (check out our guide on Best Grass Types for Colorado Springs) or Castle Rock, these grasses might struggle a bit. Try fine fescues instead.
Shade tolerance
Shade can be a significant factor in the health and growth of your grass. For yards with considerable shaded areas, look for grasses that can withstand partial sun conditions. But if your yard doesn’t have any trees casting shade, you can go with full sun types.
- Low shade tolerance: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, buffalograss, and blue grama
- Moderate shade tolerance: Tall fescue
- High shade tolerance: Fine fescues
Drought tolerance
Colorado’s climate can be exceptionally dry, particularly in the summer months, making water conservation a crucial aspect of lawn care in the state. It’s essential to select drought-tolerant grasses for Colorado, especially if you’re seeking a more sustainable, water-wise lawn.
- Low drought tolerance: Perennial ryegrass
- Moderate drought tolerance: Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue
- High drought tolerance: Fine fescue, buffalograss, and blue grama
Foot traffic tolerance
For lawns that serve mainly decorative purposes, grass types that may not withstand heavy use are perfectly suitable. However, if your lawn is going to be a center of activity, you’ll need a more robust turf, capable of withstanding wear and tear.
- Low foot traffic tolerance: Buffalograss, blue grama, and fine fescues
- Moderate foot traffic tolerance: Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue
- High foot traffic tolerance: Perennial ryegrass
When to call a professional
Caring for a Colorado lawn requires thoughtful consideration of the type of grass, alongside the timing of planting, regular maintenance like fertilizing and mowing, and other care practices. For more helpful information, you can check our guide on the best lawn care schedule for Colorado.
Luckily, you don’t have to do all of it alone. Call a lawn care expert near you to save time and effort and achieve the lush green lawn you’ve always wanted.
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Main Image Credit: The Taylor House in Glenwood Springs, Colorado | Carol M. Highsmith | Wikimedia Commons | Public Domain
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