Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass thrive in Pennsylvania lawns because they endure cold winters and bounce back beautifully in the spring with proper care.
It’s important to know because building and keeping a great lawn starts with choosing a grass type suited for our climate and weather conditions. Beyond that, you’ll want to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each type and select one that suits your needs and preferences for appearance, durability, and other factors.
Kentucky bluegrass
Perhaps the most popular grass type in the Northern United States, Kentucky bluegrass withstands the state’s cooler winters and bounces back great in the spring. It does especially well in north Pennsylvania and west Pennsylvania because it doesn’t care for very hot temperatures and those areas experience half as many summer days over 90 degrees as the southeastern corner of the state.
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Perennial ryegrass
This super versatile grass can be planted alone as a lawn, or you can mix it with other grass seed to quickly repair bare spots or improve the durability of a lawn that gets heavy use. Perennial ryegrass also tolerates heat relatively well, which makes it suitable for areas in southeast Pennsylvania that are a bit warmer.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
Fine fescue
This group comprises several cultivars, such as creeping red, Chewings, hard, and sheep fescue. They are all well adapted to our cool climate and thrive in shady lawns. Fine fescues are also less needy when it comes to fertilization, requiring only 2 pounds or less per 1,000 square feet per year.
Just like Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue mixes well with other grass types to improve drought and shade tolerance. If you want to tweak the appearance or bolster a weaker lawn, you can combine it with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.
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.)
Tall fescue
Tall fescue is a hardy grass that can go long stretches without supplemental irrigation, so it’s good for those who don’t want to invest hours and hours a week on their lawns. Tall fescue is also a good choice for yards exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day or communities that restrict water usage.
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.)
Want a “Best Grass” guide for your specific area of Pennsylvania? Check out these articles:
- The Best Grass Seed for Western Pennsylvania
- The Best Grass Seed for Northeast Pennsylvania
- The Best Grass Seed for Southeastern Pennsylvania
- The Best Grass Seed for Central Pennsylvania
And for more information about caring for your Pennsylvania lawn and landscape, see these guides:
- When to Plant Grass Seed in Pennsylvania
- Year-Round Pennsylvania Lawn Care Schedule
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn in Pennsylvania
- Planting Zones of Pennsylvania
- The Most Common Weeds in Pennsylvania
Trust the pros
Still struggling to pick a suitable grass seed? Don’t worry, there are lots of things to consider. As much fun as DIYing may be, sometimes you need a helping hand from a pro.
We can connect you with a local lawn care professional who can guide you in finding the best cool-season grass for your needs and location.
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Main Image Credit: Doug Kerr | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
