{"id":9492,"date":"2022-05-22T20:20:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-22T20:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=9492"},"modified":"2025-05-29T17:00:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T17:00:46","slug":"connecticut-best-grass-types-new-haven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/connecticut-best-grass-types-new-haven\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Best Grass Types for New Haven"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Haven has a deep history of urban planning and creating green city spaces<\/a>, so why shouldn\u2019t you prioritize your lawn? <\/p>

Get your lawn to an ivy league level by taking care of your grass, and making sure you\u2019ve planted the right kind of grass in the first place. Winters are harsh in Connecticut, so you need to have grass that can stand up to the brutal temperatures and piles of snow. <\/p>

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Here are the six best grass types for homes in New Haven:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div>
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  1. Tall fescue<\/a><\/li>
  2. Perennial ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
  3. Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
  4. Fine fescue<\/a><\/li>
  5. Zoysiagrass\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
  6. Poa Supina grass<\/a><\/li><\/ol> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>

    1. Tall fescue<\/span><\/h2>
    \"Tall
    Tall fescue
    Robert Gaskin<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>

    Tall fescue<\/a> is a very durable and drought-resistant cool-season grass type. It doesn\u2019t require much fertilization, and it\u2019s resistant to many pests and diseases. It is very low maintenance but can withstand plenty of outdoor activity, making it a very popular grass among busy homeowners with rambunctious kids and pets. <\/p>

    Tall fescue is popular because it keeps its medium to dark green color from early spring through late fall. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate; prefers direct sunlight
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate to high
    Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low; grows in nutrient-poor soil 
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-4 inches (Check your cultivar and state recommendations. Many tall fescue lawns grow best when they\u2019re mowed on the tall side.) 
    Potential for disease:<\/strong> Low; high tolerance against pests and disease
    Other notes:<\/strong> Grows slower than perennial ryegrass; will stay green during hot summers<\/p>

    Grass Seed Options:
    <\/strong>\u2013     Triple-Play 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. Perennial ryegrass<\/span><\/h2>
    \"Perennial
    Perennial ryegrass
    iStock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

    Perennial ryegrass is another cool-season grass type that can thrive in New Haven. Perennial ryegrass is easy to grow and sprouts up quickly. It also can prevent erosion so it\u2019s a great choice for steep banks and roadsides. It ranges from pale to dark green and has a fine leaf texture. <\/p>

    Perennial ryegrass is very low maintenance and is disease and pest resistant. It can withstand high amounts of foot traffic, so this is a perfect option for busy and active homeowners. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low \u2014 prefers full sun
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Low; goes dormant during a drought, but will revive quickly when watered
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High
    Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low; responds well to a higher amount of nitrogen than other grass types  
    Mowing height: <\/strong>Keep between 2-3 inches
    Potential for disease: <\/strong>Low; it has a natural resistance to disease and insects; can develop     gray leaf spot disease<\/a> in summers with high levels of heat and humidity. 
    Other notes: <\/strong>Does not produce a lot of     thatch<\/a>. <\/p>

    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>

    3. Kentucky bluegrass<\/span><\/h2>
    \"Kentucky
    Kentucky bluegrass
    Brend Ryan | LawnLove <\/figcaption><\/figure>

    Kentucky bluegrass is a popular choice among homeowners across the United States. This is the type of grass you likely imagine when you picture the perfect lawn. <\/p>

    Kentucky bluegrass is a dense, fine-textured grass type that can withstand cold winters. It ranges in color from blue-green to emerald. The beauty of this grass type does come at a price: Kentucky bluegrass is high maintenance and requires more water, fertilizer, and herbicide than other types. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong>     Rhizomes<\/a> (underground shoots)
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate — requires four to six hours of direct sunlight
    Drought tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate; thrives with proper irrigation, and will become dormant during periods of drought. 
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Low to moderate, but recuperates well
    Maintenance needs:<\/strong> High. Needs to be fertilized because low fertility will     delay growth<\/a> and can cause stripe rust. 
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-3 inches
    Potential for disease:<\/strong> Moderate to high; iIncreases at     lower mowing heights<\/a> 
    Other notes:<\/strong> Can produce a lot of thatch. Aim to dethatch annually or every other year.<\/p>

    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<\/a> (5 lbs.)<\/p>

    4. Fine fescue<\/span><\/h2>
    \"Sheep
    Sheep fescue
    Matt Lavin<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>

    Fine fescue<\/a> is a fast-growing cool-season grass that can thrive in cold climates. Fine fescue is a group of five different fine fescue grasses: Chewings fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue, slender creeping red fescue, and strong creeping red fescue.<\/p>

    Fine fescue has a soft texture but does not tolerate much foot traffic. It ranges in color from medium to blue-green and can be blended with Kentucky bluegrass for a thicker lawn.<\/p>

    It is drought tolerant and is perfect for lawns that have a lot of shade. It is not recommended for high-traffic areas but will stay green through the summer when temperatures remain below 90 degrees. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type 
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> High \u2014- prefers less than four hours of sunlight per day
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate to high 
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate
    Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Low
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 1.5-3 inches; should be mowed weekly, but will be fine if left unmowed for much of the growing season 
    Potential for disease:<\/strong> Moderate <\/p>

    Grass Seed Options:
    <\/strong>\u2013     Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
    \u2013     Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
    \u2013     Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (25 lbs.)
    \u2013     Outsidepride Hard Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (10 lbs.)<\/p>

    5. Zoysiagrass <\/span><\/h2>
    \"Zoysiagrass\"
    Zoysiagrass
    K-State Research and Extension<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

    Zoysiagrass<\/a> is a dense warm-season grass type that ranges in color from light to medium green and will dull in color during the winter months. <\/p>

    Despite being a warm-season grass type, Zoysiagrass can withstand cold weather, which is why it\u2019s the only warm-season type to make this list. Zoysiagrass can handle drought, heat, and high levels of foot traffic, all while requiring little amounts of maintenance from you. This is a wonderful option for busy homeowners with active kids and pets. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes and stolons
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate: prefers full sun and     will thin<\/a> in large shaded areas
    Drought tolerance: <\/strong>High
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High
    Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Moderate; requires more frequent dethatching and aeration than other grass types
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 1-2.5 inches 
    Potential for disease:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>

    Grass Plug and Seed Options:
    <\/strong>\u2013     Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Large Grass Plugs)
    \u2013     Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
    \u2013     Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(100 Plugs)
    \u2013     Zoysia Emerald Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)
    \u2013     Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds <\/a>(1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/p>

    6. Poa Supina grass<\/span><\/h2>

    Poa Supina grass<\/a> (also known as Supina bluegrass) is a durable, light green, cool-season grass type originating from the Austrian Alps. It is not common in the United States, but it has adapted to cool, mountainous climates. It is commonly used for athletic fields in Europe. <\/p>

    It is fast growing and recovers quickly from damage. It has a high tolerance for shade and foot traffic, making it a great option for shady yards where kids and pets play. It does not fare well in high temperatures, but can handle winter weather and is disease resistant. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> High
    Drought tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High
    Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Needs to be watered once or twice a week; may require more frequent dethatching and aeration than other cool-season grass types
    Mowing height:<\/strong> \u00bd – 1 \u00bd inches 
    Potential for disease:<\/strong> Low 
    Other notes:<\/strong> May produce a lot of thatch<\/p>

    How to choose the best grass type for your New Haven home<\/span><\/h2>

    There are plenty of things to keep in mind while picking out which grass type is right for your home. While tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, Zoysiagrass, and Poa Supina grass can all grow well in New Haven, it\u2019s a good idea to keep the following things in mind when making your final decision:<\/p>