Cool-season grasses are best suited to withstand Ohio’s harsh winters, so Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescue are fine bets for your lawn.
We’ll guide you through the best turfgrass seed options for your lawn, so you can have a yard that will survive the snowy weather as well as the humid summer heat. However, if you want more detailed information about the best grasses for each Ohio region, check out these articles:
- The Best Grass Seed for Central Ohio
- The Best Grass Seed for Northern Ohio
- The Best Grass Seed for Southern Ohio
1. Kentucky Bluegrass
Ethan2039 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
With proper management, Kentucky bluegrass produces beautiful blueish-green foliage and a dense lawn.
Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is considered a high-maintenance grass, requiring high levels of nitrogen and irrigation from early to late summer; otherwise, it will turn brown and go dormant. KBG is also prone to thatch. If you want a KBG lawn, be sure you’re willing to spend the time and resources to care for it. Beauty has its cost (or so they say)!
2. Perennial Ryegrass
Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
Tolerant of both hot and cold temperatures, perennial ryegrass‘s adaptability is just one of its many practical qualities. The quick seed germination (four to seven days) and high foot traffic tolerance also make it a popular choice for Ohio homeowners. Additionally, this low-maintenance turfgrass won’t cause you many problems with weeds or thatch.
Although vulnerable to diseases like gray leaf spot, there are resistant cultivars on the market that will save you some headaches. Some even host beneficial fungi called endophytes, which help prevent bothersome lawn insects.
3. Tall Fescue
Matt Lavin | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
If you want to invest in a natural, organic lawn, turf-type tall fescue is your go-to. This grass is very low-maintenance. Turf-type tall fescue tolerates compacted soils and has a drought tolerance suitable to endure Ohio’s droughts with no need for irrigation. It has the best tolerance for both shade and sun among cool-season grasses and is also disease-resistant.
Recently improved varieties are perfect for a home lawn: They have a beautiful dark-green color and are less coarse in texture than the typical pasture-type tall fescue. Additionally, most turf-type tall fescues have endophytes to help kill common lawn insects.
- Note: Ohio State University suggests homeowners invest in turf-type cultivars rather than the “Kentucky 31” variety.
4. Fine Fescue
Matt Lavin | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
This grass type was the first choice for shade areas before tall fescues came around. The leaf blades are fine (as the name suggests) and the grass grows well in poor, acidic soil. Fine fescues are frequently mixed with Kentucky bluegrass in sun-shade lawns.
Fine fescue varieties include chewings fescue, red fescue, creeping fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue. Drought tolerance will vary depending on the species, but overall, fine fescues require low levels of nitrogen fertilizer and rarely have problems with thatch. Opt for cultivars with endophytes to help with insect control.
- With good shade tolerance, fine fescues are frequently used in a grass seed mix for lawns with partial shade. The fine fescue will eventually become the predominant grass in the shady areas of the lawn. Their low-maintenance needs are also a reason homeowners may opt for them.
How to Choose the Best Grass Seed for Your Ohio Lawn
Make sure you evaluate your yard before planting grass seed in Ohio. To help you make a decision on the best grass for your lawn, here are some criteria to consider before buying your grass seed:
Shade Tolerance
Take a look at your lawn. Is it exposed to full sun or does it have shady areas? Every grass needs sun to grow properly, but some are more shade-tolerant than others.
- High to moderate shade tolerance: Fine fescues and tall fescue
- Low shade tolerance: Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass
Irrigation Needs
Irrigation is also important to consider when choosing the best grass type for your Ohio lawn. If you have a sprinkler system, irrigation will certainly be an easier job, but the expenses on your water bill will increase. It’s important to note that except for tall fescue, cool-season grasses require some extra summer irrigation to keep their green color — otherwise, they’ll go dormant.
- High irrigation needs: Kentucky bluegrass
- Moderate irrigation needs: Perennial ryegrass
- Low irrigation needs: Tall fescue and fine fescue
Potential Problems
Another point to have in mind is if the turfgrass is prone to problems with insects and diseases.
- High to moderate vulnerability: Perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and fine fescue
- Low vulnerability: Tall fescue
Overall Maintenance Needs
To make it even easier for you, we ranked the grasses from the highest maintenance requirements to the lowest:
- 1. Kentucky bluegrass
- 2. Perennial ryegrass
- 3. Tall fescue
- 4. Fine fescue
When to Hire a Lawn Care Pro
If you need help choosing the best grass type for you, we’ve got you covered. We have the best Ohio lawn care pros near you. We have trusted lawn care pros in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and many more cities across the Buckeye State.
Main Image Credit: Blervis | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
