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Identifying your grass type may seem difficult especially when you aren’t knowledgeable of all the different grass species, their characteristics, and native regions. The following guide will help you easily identify different types of grass and determine the best grass for your lawn.
There are over 12,000 species of grass around the world and dozens of them can be found in different regions of the United States.
If you want to have a lush, green, healthy lawn, then a proper maintenance routine is necessary. Your lawn’s health depends on how you treat your grass in addition to other factors such as your region, its soil, and climate.
If you want to identify the grass type of your lawn, then you should first know the common lawn grass types that prevail in your region.
This zone includes cool, humid locations including Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest regions and cool, arid locations such as the Midwest. Cool-humid parts of the US provide favorable conditions for cool-season grass types that include fescues, ryegrass, bentgrass, and bluegrass.
Fescues have wide, dark green blades and the upper side of blades is quite shiny. Tall fescues have broad leaves and flat blades while fine fescues have fine leaves with thinner blades.
Bluegrass has two types, Kentucky bluegrass and Rough bluegrass. It can grow up to 24 inches in length and you can easily identify it by its v-shaped leaves.
Ryegrass has shiny leaves that are narrow and bright green in color. It has no hair and new leaves are folded.
However, if you’re living in a cool-arid region, then you may find buffalograss, canada bluegrass, and wheatgrass growing in your backyard.
Warm-season grass types grow best in warm regions where the temperatures range from 80 to 95 degrees. These grass types are mostly found along the gulf coast. The warm zone includes regions that are warm and humid such as the Southeastern part of the US. However, there are some parts of the US that are warm and dry, typically the Southwestern region.
If you’re living in the Southwestern region, you will probably find heat-tolerant grass types such as bermudagrass and buffalograss best for your lawn. On the other hand, if you reside in the Southeastern part, then bahiagrass, St. augustine, and zoysia are the different types of yard grass you’ll find in your neighborhood.
There’s another zone which is called the transitional zone. This zone includes Eastern-central and Mid-central regions of the US. These regions are least feasible for many grass species due to their exposure to droughts, changing weather, and lack of shade.
Bermuda grass can be easily identified by its roots and texture. It has above-ground roots that can be seen easily. You can also find small hairs on its leaves.
St. Augustine is a rough-textured grass that has thick, rounded blades. With darker green color and thick, flat leaves, it forms a dense layer of green carpet.
Zoysia has a light-green color that usually turns into brown during dormancy. It has smoother blades and can maintain its green color much longer than other warm-season grass species.
The transition zone includes areas where the temperatures rise and fall dramatically. In the transition zone, grass will be exposed to both cool and warm weather so it needs to have a higher tolerance to thrive. Choosing heat-tolerant grass types is a wise idea.
Fescues
Bluegrass
Ryegrass
Zoysia
Thermal Blue
The best type of grass for your lawn depends on your region’s climate. We all know that America’s climate system is a little complex, and to keep things easier for you, we have divided the common grass types into 6 regions.
Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescues can be found all across the northeastern region. Residents of this region can please themselves with the amazing blends of Kentucky bluegrass with fescue and ryegrass.
The midwest region mostly stays cool during the year with varying humidity. The best grass types for the heartland are tall fescues and Perennial ryegrass. You can blend them together for better durability.
The climate in the southeastern region mostly stays warm and humid. It provides the most favorable conditions for the southern grass types that thrive under warm and humid conditions. Bermuda and ryegrass are the types you can plant considering their tolerance against heat, droughts, and salt.
The southwestern region is favorable for grass types that can fare well in the warm and dry season. Bermuda grass is the most suitable breed that you can plant in this region. It requires frequent watering but is heat-tolerant.
The Gulf Coast and deep southern regions have high temperatures and humidity levels. Bahia grass and centipede grass are the two low-maintenance species that you can have to beautify your lawn.
This region has cool weather with varying humidity levels and provides favorable conditions for grasses that are cold-tolerant. Tall fescues and bluegrass are preferred in arid zones while fine fescues and ryegrass do well in humid zones.
Now that you know your zone, you need to determine the best types of grass to plant in your state. Knowing your state’s climate and soil condition will be quite helpful for growing the lush, green grass you desire. If you are wondering what types of lawn grass are suitable for your yard, you must know the characteristics of different grass types.
| Name | Fluffy | Prickly | Grows Fast | Heat Tolerant | Drought Tolerant | Durable | Rain Tolerant | Thick | Cold Tolerant | Low Maintenance | Pest Tolerant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | |||||||||||
| Zoysa | |||||||||||
| Fescue | |||||||||||
| Bahia | |||||||||||
| Bent | |||||||||||
| Buffalo | |||||||||||
| Ryegrass | |||||||||||
| St. Augustine | |||||||||||
| Carpet | |||||||||||
| Centipede |
Different types of grass are used in landscaping across the different regions of America. Some species have thick blades, shiny texture, and broad leaves while others have thin blades, coarse texture, and narrow leaves. Below are some of the most common species that can be found in abundance across different states.
A healthy lawn not only adds to the value of your home but also enhances its aesthetics. To maintain a lush green lawn, you must know what type of treatment your grass needs season after season. We have compiled some pro tips that can be fundamental to your lawn’s health.
Spring is when your grass demands the most care, after winter dormancy. Your lawn’s health is majorly influenced by the way you treat it in the spring.
For optimum results, use mild, organic fertilizer and do not use it excessively as it can burn the grass leaves.
Use a preemergent herbicide to remove any weeds that you might see in your lawn. Common weeds include crabgrass and they usually grow in the summer.
Water your lawn an inch a week and not more than that. Spring is usually moist and the soil contains water. Excessive water can damage roots. You can check the moisture by digging the soil a bit.
Summer is the time when you spend the most time on your lawn. Here are some tips for keeping a healthy lawn that you can enjoy in the summer.
For cool-season grass, mowing length should be 3-4 inches and for warm-season species, it should be 2-3 inches. Don’t mow your lawn too frequently and always use sharp blades.
Weeds emerge and become more visible in the summer. To get rid of them, you can use two methods: conventional and chemical. Pluck them with your hands if your lawn is not heavily populated, otherwise chemical is a good option.
Weeds emerge and become more visible in the summer. To get rid of them, you can use two methods: conventional and chemical. Pluck them with your hands if your lawn is not heavily populated, otherwise chemical is a good option.
Fall provides you the last chance to look after your lawn before the harsh winter. The care your lawn gets in this season shows results in the upcoming months.
Apply a slow-release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen as it enhances grass color. Don’t apply fertilizer on a dry lawn and water it before the application.
Mowing should be done at 2-3 inches high. Leaving your grass too tall can expose it to fungal diseases.
Keep watering your lawn constantly for optimal growth. Don’t rely on rainfalls.
Now that you know your zone, you need to determine the best types of grass to plant in your state. Knowing your state’s climate and soil condition will be quite helpful for growing the lush, green grass you desire. If you are wondering what types of lawn grass are suitable for your yard, you must know the characteristics of different grass types.
Keep watering in an optimal quantity and take care of shade and sunlight. If you want rapid growth, then bermuda grass is the type that you need.
Growing grass and creating a perfect lawn has a lot to do with what kind of seed you choose, how you plant it, and how you hydrate it. Of course you want to grow your grass quickly and to be thick, green, and healthy.
You should look after your grass like you would look after your children! A green and thick grass is a result of proper nourishment and consistent care. You should water it deeply, aerate it when required, kill weeds, use organic fertilizers, and mow it frequently to maintain its thickness, color, and health. Should you take care of these factors, growing a scenic lawn wouldn’t be a problem for you!
Blending different grass types can not only improve your lawn aesthetically but also enhance its tolerance level against diseases and extreme weather conditions. A few of the most common grass types that you can mix together are fescue, bermuda, ryegrass, and bluegrass.
You can plant some Kentucky bluegrass in your Fescue lawn. Kentucky bluegrass has excellent shade tolerance and fescue has drought resistance. On the other hand, Ryegrass does well with bermuda. They both, when mixed together, maintain excellent traffic tolerance. It is the best blend for turf-type lawns.
To grow a perfect green grass, you should use natural fertilizers that contain slow-release nitrogen, aerate your lawn, water the grass to its deepest roots, use pest killers carefully, and provide your grass a balance of shade and sunlight. Greener lawns aid well in landscaping, and if you manage to take care of the above-mentioned factors, you should be able to maintain a yard that will catch everyone’s eyes.
To plant and grow new grass at your home, you should begin by buying top-quality grass seeds that are suitable for your region. There are a couple of factors that you will have to look at while planting your new grass. Let’s have a look at them below.
Begin with leveling the ground to avoid water accumulation and loosen the soil a bit. Remove the debris like leaves, sticks, stones, or any other elements.
Spread the seeds evenly and make sure no clusters are formed, 15 seeds per square inch are ideal.
Cover the seeds under the soil with no more than ¼ inch of soil over them.
Water your seeds to keep the soil moist and soft, allowing the seeds to germinate easily. Water at least once a day.