- Tall fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
UM researchers determined these grass types to be the best based on the area\u2019s climate and soil conditions.<\/p>
1. Tall fescue<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Tall](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/23480915048_629a89fac4_k_800.jpg\")
Tall fescue
Ty Haller<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>The University of Missouri considers tall fescue to be the best grass species for St. Louis homeowners. Even though tall fescue is a cool-season grass, it can tolerate hot, drought-like conditions better than other varieties. Tall fescue is a pretty versatile grass. It can grow in well-shaded areas, making it a good fit for properties with a lot of tree cover. It\u2019s also very disease-resistant and wear tolerant. And, it remains green for eight to nine months out of the year.<\/p>
If you are interested in a seed mix, you can pair tall fescue with hard, sheep, creeping red, or Chewings fescue. Unfortunately, these mixtures require more maintenance than pure tall fescue solutions.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunches, occasionally rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> High<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Low <\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-3 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease:<\/strong> Low<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Triple-<\/a>Play<\/a> Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend<\/a> (5000 sq ft)
\u2013 Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix<\/a> (7 lb.)<\/p>2. Kentucky bluegrass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpg\")
Kentucky bluegrass
Brenda Ryan | Lawn Love<\/figcaption><\/figure>Kentucky bluegrass is a great general-purpose turf that forms a dense cover. It\u2019s a very popular cool-season turfgrass throughout the northern parts of the country due to its winter hardiness. Kentucky bluegrass is known for its bluish-green, medium texture that is great to walk on barefoot. Its leaf blades have a boat-shaped tip. <\/p>
Kentucky bluegrass is often mixed with other grasses, like perennial ryegrass, to provide a more disease-resistant turf that keeps good color year-round. Because it spreads by rhizomes, it spreads quickly and can fill in damaged or bare spots in your lawn.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes (underground stems)<\/li>
- Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Low (prefers sunlight)<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Medium to high<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 1.5-3 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed<\/a> (3 lbs.)
\u2013 SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Jacklin Seed – Biltmore Blue Blend – 100% Kentucky Bluegrass (5 lbs.)<\/p>3. Perennial ryegrass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Perennial](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/iStock-1318738514-scaled_800.jpg\")
Perennial ryegrass
iStock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Perennial ryegrass is a fine-bladed, dark green grass that will give your yard temporary winter color. It is fast germinating and will establish quickly, which helps with weed suppression. Perennial ryegrass has the highest wear tolerance of all cool-season grasses. This is why it is often found in parks and golf courses with high foot traffic. Perennial ryegrass is less tolerant of heat and droughts than the other species.<\/p>
Perennial ryegrass is considered a nurse grass because it is often included in grass seed blends to help provide shade and protection to other grasses like Kentucky bluegrass.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunches<\/li>
- Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> High<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 1.5-2.5 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease:<\/strong> Very high, including brown patch, red thread, and rust<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<\/p>How to select the best grass type for your St. Louis lawn<\/h2>
Now that you know about the three best grass types for St. Louis, think about your lawn:<\/p>
- Are you always having company over for backyard get-togethers? <\/strong>
- If you like to entertain, or you have kids and pets who love to run around the yard, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue stand up best to heavy foot traffic.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul>
- Does your lawn experience periods of drought<\/a>?<\/strong>
- If you are worried about water your yard during times of drought, then you should consider tall fescue.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul>
- How much time do you put into lawn upkeep and maintenance?<\/strong>
- Tall fescue requires the least maintenance of the three St. Louis cool-season grasses.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul>
If you need help getting that dream lawn, get in touch with a St. Louis lawn specialist<\/a> today for your installation and maintenance needs. <\/em><\/p>
Main Photo Credit: Sam valadi<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>
Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Lawn Love may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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- Tall fescue requires the least maintenance of the three St. Louis cool-season grasses.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul>
- How much time do you put into lawn upkeep and maintenance?<\/strong>
- If you are worried about water your yard during times of drought, then you should consider tall fescue.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul>
- Does your lawn experience periods of drought<\/a>?<\/strong>
- If you like to entertain, or you have kids and pets who love to run around the yard, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue stand up best to heavy foot traffic.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunches<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes (underground stems)<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunches, occasionally rhizomes<\/li>
- Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/li>