The Best Grass Seed for Wyoming Lawns

The Best Grass Seed for Wyoming Lawns

Choosing the best grass seed for your Wyoming lawn depends on understanding your local conditions. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are excellent choices for cooler areas while warm-season varieties like buffalograss and blue grama are perfect for drier, sunnier spots. 

Whether you’re dealing with semi-arid conditions or higher precipitation, this guide will help you find the perfect grass for your yard. 

Best cool-season grasses for Wyoming

Kentucky bluegrass: Best grass for cold weather

green color medium size Kentucky blue grass
Ferran Pestaña | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Kentucky bluegrass is a great fit for Wyoming’s colder areas, like Pinedale, Big Piney, and Laramie. It grows in spring and fall and can handle harsh winters. 

This grass feels soft underfoot and stands up to heavy use, making it perfect for families with kids and pets. Keep in mind that Kentucky bluegrass loves full sun and it will need more maintenance like watering and fertilizing than other grass types.

Here are some guides to help you know better this type of grass: 

Grass Seed Options:

Fine fescue: Best grass for shade

Fine fescue long grass
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Fine fescue is a great option for eastern areas like Cheyenne. This type of grass is known for its drought tolerance and low-maintenance needs. Fine fescue grows well in shaded areas, making it ideal for yards with limited sunlight. While it’s the softest of the cool-season grasses, offering a velvety feel, it doesn’t hold up well to heavy foot traffic. 

If you want to know more about fine fescue continue reading:

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Tall fescue: Best grass for difficult conditions

Tall fescue grass
Matt Lavin | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Tall fescue is good for yards with tough soil conditions. It performs well in both full sun and partial shade. Its deep root system allows it to handle drought better than other grasses, so it’s a reliable option for cold, drier regions. However, tall fescue grows fast, so you need to mow it regularly. 

Take a look at our guide on “Tall Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.”

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Perennial ryegrass: Best grass for fast results

Perennial ryegrass
Matt Lavin | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Perennial ryegrass is a great option if you’re looking to overseed your lawn quickly, thanks to its fast growth. It’s often mixed with grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescue to create a more resilient lawn. 

Since it grows low, you won’t need to mow as frequently as with other types of grass. However, it’s not the best choice for shaded areas or lawns that see a lot of foot traffic. Additionally, it may struggle in Wyoming’s coldest regions, where harsh winters can damage or even kill it.

Check our guide about “Perennial Ryegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”

Grass Seed Options:

Best warm-season grasses for Wyoming

Buffalograss: Best drought-resistant grass

Buffalograss
John Tann | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Buffalograss is a native warm-season grass good for dry landscapes due to its drought resistance. This fine-bladed perennial spreads through above-ground stolons, creating a thick, dense lawn, though it can take some time to fully establish. While it handles Wyoming’s cold weather quite well, it doesn’t do well in shaded areas or under heavy foot traffic. 

Check these articles about buffalograss:

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Blue grama: Best grass for hot climate

Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
John Rusk | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Blue grama is a slow-growing grass perfect for dry, hot climates, making it a solid choice for Wyoming’s dryland areas. Once established, it becomes highly drought-resistant and can handle heat with ease. It also tolerates cold weather, and its slow growth means less frequent mowing is needed. 

However, blue grama isn’t ideal for shaded areas or lawns with heavy foot traffic. It adapts well to a variety of soil types and it is often mixed with buffalograss for lawns or for erosion control. 

Grass Seed Options:

FAQ about grass types for Wyoming 

What are the best grass types for Western Wyoming?

The best grass types for Western Wyoming include Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, and perennial ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass is ideal for the region’s cooler climate. Fine fescues offer a low-maintenance option. Perennial ryegrass is commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass to enhance lawn resilience. 

What are the best grass types for Eastern Wyoming?

For Eastern Wyoming, the best grass types are Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, tall fescues, buffalograss, and blue grama. Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues are excellent choices for shaded or cooler areas. Tall fescues are well-suited for a variety of light conditions and have strong drought resistance. Buffalograss and blue grama are ideal for dry, sunny conditions. 

What USDA Hardiness Zone is Wyoming in?

Wyoming falls within USDA Hardiness Zones 3b and 6a. The state’s higher elevation areas are in zone 3b, where winters can be harsh. The southern and lower elevation areas, including Cheyenne, are generally in 5b and 6a, where the climate is milder. Check here for the details of Wyoming Growing Zones.

Contact a pro to help you choose the best grass

Choosing the right grass type for your Wyoming lawn is just the first step in creating a beautiful yard. Regular maintenance – like proper watering, fertilizing, and mowing – is key to keeping your lawn looking its best. If you need extra help, contact a local lawn care pro. They can provide expert guidance to ensure your lawn stays healthy.

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Main Photo Credit: Matt Lavin | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Cecilia Acevedo

Cecilia is your home expert with a focus on gardens. When she's not writing about cozy living, she's digging into the world of gardening. Cecilia shares down-to-earth tips to make your outdoor space thrive. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and join her in cultivating a greener life through her stories full of gardening insights and a love for the great outdoors.