{"id":9919,"date":"2022-05-27T20:49:08","date_gmt":"2022-05-27T20:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=9919"},"modified":"2025-03-18T19:17:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T19:17:08","slug":"best-grass-types-wilmington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-grass-types-wilmington\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Best Grass Types in Wilmington, DE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who needs to take a drive through Brandywine Valley when you\u2019ve got your own glorious landscape right out back? We\u2019ll give you the details on the best grass types to grow in your Wilmington backyard.<\/p>

The Wilmington weather can make it tricky<\/a> to choose the right turf. Read on to find out more about our picks for the top grasses for your area: tall fescue, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass.<\/p>

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5 best grass types:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div>
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  1. Tall fescue<\/a><\/li>
  2. Fine fescue<\/a><\/li>
  3. Kentucky bluegrass\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
  4. Perennial ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
  5. Zoysiagrass\u00a0<\/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>

    Though tall fescue<\/a> takes awhile to establish, this is one of the best choices for a Delaware lawn. It\u2019s wear resistant and drought, heat, and salt tolerant. Being a clump-type grass, it takes longer to recuperate, but will come back to life with proper care.<\/p>

    Because Wilmington\u2019s right on the cusp of the cool-season grass zone, it can be tough to keep the yard green year-round. Since cool-season grasses grow best in spring and fall, tall fescue will maintain its color the longest in the summer out of these grass types.<\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunches, sometimes by rhizomes
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate, but takes longer to recuperate from wear
    Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-4 inches
    Potential for disease: <\/strong>Low; large patch can be an issue if there\u2019s been a lot of heat and humidity
    Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5-6.5
    Other notes:<\/strong> Tall fescue grows fast, so it requires more frequent mowing than other types<\/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. Fine fescue<\/span><\/h2>
    \"Creeping
    Creeping red fescue (fine fescue)
    Matt Lavin<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

    True to its name, fine fescue<\/a> has a fine texture with delicate leaf blades. This grass feels great beneath bare feet, but it doesn\u2019t do well with a lot of traffic. It tolerates poor and drier soils; if you want it to keep its color, though, fine fescue will need regular irrigation. Leaves will wilt or curl if they need water and turn from medium to dark green to yellowish green if the plant needs nitrogen. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Creeping red fescue uses rhizomes; all other fescues grow in bunches
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong>     High<\/a>
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> High
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Low
    Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 1.5-3 inches inches; keep it on the higher end if it\u2019s planted in a shady area
    Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate
    Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5-6.5
    Other notes:<\/strong> This grass type doesn\u2019t need much nitrogen and too much can increase susceptibility to diseases like red thread<\/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>



    <\/p>

    3. Kentucky bluegrass <\/span><\/h2>
    \"Kentucky
    Kentucky bluegrass
    Pilot138-17<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

    Kentucky bluegrass<\/a> is prized for its beautiful blue-green hue. However, it can be finicky. It\u2019s easily damaged by drought, heat, and traffic. Not to mention, it\u2019s susceptible to many lawn diseases.<\/p>

    The number one way to curb disease problems is making sure you\u2019re following good cultural practices. This includes dethatching<\/a> to improve air circulation, winter cleanup, and maintaining your drainage systems. Disease often sets in when grass is injured, so make sure never to \u201cscalp\u201d the lawn (removing \u2153 or more of the leaf blade in a single mowing session). If your grass is overgrown, take it down to the recommended height over several weeks. <\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low; this grass prefers sunlight
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate
    Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Medium to high
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-3 inches
    Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate to high; susceptible to diseases like dollar spot, necrotic ring spot, and leaf spot
    Soil pH: <\/strong>6-7
    Other notes:<\/strong> Because of its potential for disease and heavy thatch production, it\u2019s important to dethatch in early fall or spring (or both)<\/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. Perennial ryegrass<\/span><\/h2>
    \"Perennial
    Perennial ryegrass
    iStock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

    If you\u2019re in a pinch and want to green up your yard quickly, perennial ryegrass<\/a> is a great option. It\u2019s often valued because it\u2019s quick to establish \u2014 you can go from seed to a mowable lawn in as few as 21 days. <\/p>

    This dark green grass is relatively low maintenance, but it can appear patchy on its own due to its bunch-type growth. You can reseed it or grow it mixed in with other grasses like Kentucky bluegrass. In the past, the shallow root system of perennial ryegrass has made it intolerant to drought and heat, but newer cultivars have remediated this problem.<\/p>

    Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunches
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low; it prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> Low
    Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High
    Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Moderate
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-3 inches
    Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate to high; susceptible to large patch, red thread, and rust
    Soil pH: <\/strong>    6.0-7.0<\/a>
    Other notes:<\/strong> The coarse texture can shred if your mower blades are dull. A good rule of thumb is to sharpen your mower blades every 20 hours of use.<\/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>

    5. Zoysiagrass <\/span><\/h2>
    \"Zoysiagrass
    Zoysiagrass
    Bill Wilson<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>

    Zoysiagrass<\/a> produces a beautiful, dense turf that will be the envy of your neighborhood. Unlike perennial ryegrass, it takes time to establish, but the results will be impressive. Because it produces a thick growth, weeds have trouble gaining a foothold. Don\u2019t worry about kids or pets trampling all over this turf, either, because it holds up well to foot traffic. <\/p>

    Zoysiagrass isn\u2019t particularly susceptible to disease or insects. Take care of it with deep but infrequent waterings, annual core aeration<\/a>, and regular mowing. If you seed it in partial shade, mow it at the taller end of its recommended mowing height. <\/p>

    Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season grass
    Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons and rhizomes
    Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate
    Drought tolerance:<\/strong> High
    Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>High
    Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Low
    Mowing height:<\/strong> 1-2.5 inches
    Potential for disease:<\/strong> Low
    Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-6.5
    Other notes:<\/strong> Can have coarse blades that require a sharp mower blade<\/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>

    What to consider when choosing your Wilmington grass<\/span><\/h2>

    It\u2019s especially important to take stock of your outdoor space\u2019s strengths and weaknesses in a transition zone like Delaware where it can be more difficult to get a lush turf. Ask yourself these questions in order to narrow down your choice.<\/p>