Grass – for some, it’s the green stuff that is on the ground in the front and backyard. For others though, each blade is important as altogether, they contribute to the curb appeal of his or her home. Your lawn can speak volumes about your home. From a well-groomed lawn to one with brown patches and weeds everything, the grass can be a feature that invites the outside world to your home.
If you know the importance of grass for the look of your property, then you know how crucial it is not just to maintain and take care of your lawn but to ensure you have the right seed for you. Planting grass that is meant for hot weather in a region that tends to get cold, the grass won’t grow to look it’s best. That is why it’s important to know the different types of grass seed, and which one works best for where you live.
Test the Soil First
Before you purchase grass seed, you want to test out the soil first. A soil test will tell you if there are enough nutrients and nitrogen in the ground, and if the pH level is correct. The foundation to a healthy lawn is healthy soil.
Warm-Season or Cool-Season Grass
There are two general categories for grass seed – warm-season and cool-season. Depending on where you live, that will tell you what type of grass seed to get.
If you live in regions of the country that tend to stay warm, like Texas, you’ll want to go for warm-season grass seed. This type of grass is at its best when summer kicks in. They need a lot of sun to thrive, although some grass can handle a bit of shade. Warm-season grass seed includes St. Augustine, Bermuda, buffalo, centipede, and zoysia.
If you live more north where there are chilly months in the year, you’ll want to use cool-season grass seed. Cool-season grass is more shade-tolerant than warm-season grass. This grass seed needs to be able to withstand cold temperatures during spring and fall. Cool-season grass seed includes Kentucky bluegrass, fescues (fine, tall, or red), and perennial ryegrass.
Activity on the Lawn
When picking grass seed, you need to think about more than just the seasons and temperature. You also want to consider how much wear and tear the grass will go through. Specific grass seed can stand up to much wear and tear more than other types.
If you and the family like to spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, then you want a seed that can withstand all the foot traffic. Anything but fine fescue would work. For areas that see lots of sports, like athletic fields, Kentucky bluegrass is durable and self-mending. Although it requires more maintenance, the turf can fill in any bare spots from damage.
Drought-Tolerant
Water is crucial for your grass to grow, which means the amount of water you have in your region will dictate the type of grass seed you get. If you tend to have a drought in your area, you’ll want grass seed that can tolerate little water, like St. Augustine, tall fescue, zoysia, or buffalo grass seed. For Kentucky bluegrass, you’ll need lots of water to keep the lawn healthy.
