When people come to your home, naturally the first thing they see is your front yard. A vibrant and healthy-looking lawn is something every homeowner aspires to maintain, but it isn’t always easy.
Getting your lawn to a point where it is looking and feeling it’s best can be a grueling task if you don’t really know where to start. There are over a dozen different types of grass, and most lawns are a mixture of more than one.
It could be devastating to your lawn if you don’t do your research beforehand because you could end up choosing grass that would be nearly impossible to maintain, and you won’t even know why!
Could you imagine spending an entire summer, out in the blistering heat in the middle of your front or back yard trying to nurse your lawn back to health, only to realize down the road that you planted a type of grass that makes it almost impossible for it to survive in your geographical location?
Now, that is obviously an extreme example and I am sure there would be no local gardening stores selling grass that can’t survive where you live, but you get the point!
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Understanding everything there is to know about grass, different grass types, what maintenance different types require and how to choose what is best for your location are all critical and will help you immensely in creating the lawn you desire.
Most importantly, pay attention to USDA Plant Hardiness Zones for any planting or gardening to be sure you are choosing options that are sure to thrive in your area. It’s time to put an end to the days of feeling embarrassed by your lawn’s presentation when someone pulls up to visit or when you’re having a backyard gathering.
Now you will finally know what it takes to choose the right lawn for your home, create conditions where it could grow and thrive, and be able to maintain your gorgeous lawn with ease.
Important Factors to Consider
Light
Depending on the type or grass or plants you are planting, different requirements exist for how much light exposure is needed for them to flourish.
Too much or too little sunlight could be detrimental to your plants and even result in plants starting to die if it does not comply with the required amounts.
Soil Type
Different grass or plants also require different types of soil or combinations of soil. If moisture is too low, it could inhibit growth of plants or grass requiring more moisture.
On the other hand, excessive moisture could be harmful as well and could breed fungus into your soil.
Temperature
Every plant has a preferred temperature range in which their growth is most successful. It is important to pay attention to the compatibility between the climate in your geographical location and the climate required.
Duration of Exposure to Cold Temperatures
Most plants have adverse reactions to excessive cold temperatures, but some are able to bounce back relatively quickly after a few cold months of winter.
Other plants can’t withstand any amount of cold temperature and it shocks the roots, resulting in the plants dying off.
Humidity
Although humidity is helpful to plants in many ways and might combat the effects of cold damage by keeping the soil warm and reducing moisture loss, too much humidity might require more watering to keep plants and grass well nourished.
If you are not sure what USDA zone you live in, find it HERE!
Types of Grass for Residential Lawns
1. St. Augustine
St. Augustine is a “carpet” grass that grows a beautiful lawn that is relatively easy to maintain. It’s native to the Gulf Coast regions, West Indies and Western Africa.
It has a high heat tolerance but is not recommended for areas prone to drought. St. Augustine tends to flourish in warm climates where sandy soil is present. Unlike other warm-season grasses, it keeps its blue-green color all the way into the fall.
It is also commonly used for pastures because of its sense and coarse texture, even in shaded areas. Because St. Augustine grows via above-ground runners, it spreads aggressively and requires a lot of maintenance to keep it from getting out of control. Probably the biggest downfall is its vulnerability to pests and diseases.
PROS
- Creates a beautiful lawn
- Relatively easy to maintain
- High heat tolerance
- Will thrive in mostly any well-draining soil
- Competes well against weeds
CONS
- Doesn’t perform as well in areas prone to drought
- Normal wear is fine, but has poor tolerance for excessive or repeated foot traffic
- High maintenance because of how quickly it grows
- Extremely vulnerable to pests and diseases
| Season: | Warm-season grass |
| USDA Zones: | 8 to 10 |
| Mowing Height: | 2-3 inches |
| Sun Exposure: | Full to partial sun; Some shade |
| Cold Exposure: | Minimal exposure |
| Water Frequency: | Not recommended for areas with drought |
| Traffic Tolerance: | Does not handle foot traffic well |
| Soil Type: | Adaptable to a wide range of soil types; Prefers sandy soil |
2. Centipede
Centipede is a warm-season grass that performs best in acidic soils of the lower South. It grows low and is a very low maintenance turfgrass.
It is tough and has more of a rough texture than most other turfgrass and can combat weeds and pests relatively well. It is a good choice for your lawn in the right location and will perform very well with the proper care.
It generally requires less mowing and maintenance than other lawns and is easy to edge. It tends to have adverse reactions to hot, dry areas and could completely die if not consistently provided adequate moisture. It also requires less fertilizer than typical warm-season grass.
PROS
- Resistant to weeds and pests
- Low maintenance
- Requires less mowing and is easy to edge
- Requires less fertilizer
CONS
- Rougher texture than most other turfgrasses
- Will go dormant during a drought
- Does not grow well in hot, dry areas
| Season: | Warm-season grass |
| USDA Zones: | 7 to 10 |
| Mowing Height: | 1 ½ – 2 inches |
| Sun Exposure: | Full to partial sun |
| Cold Exposure: | Minimal exposure |
| Water Frequency: | Less than average |
| Traffic Tolerance: | Average |
| Soil Type: | Most types; Tolerates acidic soils |
3. Fine Fescue
Fine fescue is a member of the turf-type fescue family. There are many different varieties of fescue and they are all cool-season grass types that doing a very good job of holding their own during the cold winter months.
Wear tolerance depends on the specific type of fescue, so be sure to check the label for that information. However, fine fescue is tolerant to high traffic areas.
Fine fescues are most popular for their shade tolerance, but they do not tolerate heat and dry conditions very well. It requires less frequent mowing and will look great in almost any kind of soil in a relatively short period of time. Fine Fescue is most popular in Northeast to North Central U.S.
PROS
- Tolerant to high traffic areas
- High tolerance to shade
- Very low maintenance
- Can survive longer than normal with little irrigation
CONS
- Does not tolerate heat or dry conditions
- Its prickly, course nature may not be best suited for backyards or anywhere people might sit or lay, as it could be uncomfortable
| Season: | Cool-season grass |
| USDA Zones: | 3 to 7 |
| Mowing Height: | 2-3 inches |
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun; Partial shade |
| Cold Exposure: | Above average tolerance for winter months |
| Water Frequency: | Above average |
| Traffic Tolerance: | High |
| Soil Type: | Most types |
4. Kentucky Bluegrass
Bluegrass is generally a cold season grass native to North America, Asia, and Europe. It will grow well in the fall, winter, and spring, but can become dormant in the hot summer months. It can take in a lot of sunlight and remain fairly resistant but can also do well in the shade.
Bluegrass has many different varieties, so you have to be mindful of that if you plan on planting it in your yard. Some have different temperatures and weather tolerance and there are also varying mowing requirements with different types.
Bluegrass is a very popular kind of grass, especially because of its versatility and adaptability for many different locations and uses. It will be an exceptional choice with the proper growing conditions and maintenance.
All you need is enough sunlight, good soil and regular watering to keep your lawn looking beautiful. Kentucky bluegrass is probably the most widely used and most preferred grass type.
PROS
- Adaptable to heavy traffic
- Useful in a wide range of locations
- Versatile in many geographical areas
- Excellent color and pleasant texture
- Can be blended with almost any grass seeds
CONS
- Kentucky bluegrass will not perform well in deeply shaded areas
- More prone to thatch
- Requires a lot of water
- Likely to go dormant quicker than most other grass types
| Season: | Cool-season grass |
| USDA Zones: | 2 to 7 |
| Mowing Height: | 2-2 ½ inches |
| Sun Exposure: | Moderate shade tolerance; Full sun |
| Cold Exposure: | Does well in the winter and other colder months |
| Water Frequency: | Water regularly |
| Traffic Tolerance: | Moderate wear tolerance |
| Soil Type: | pH 6.5-7 neutral |
5. Ryegrass
Ryegrass is a cool-season grass and is a common addition to cool-season grass mixtures. It is often used in seed mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass. It has a quick germination time and holds up well to heavy foot traffic. Ryegrass could be easy to spot in a lawn because of the way it shines.
It is primarily found in cool-season areas of the north but may also be able to survive as far north as Minnesota and Wisconsin. Ryegrass is particularly versatile when it comes to types of grass because it can survive in almost any climate and is one of the only grass types that is recommended in all USDA zones. Ryegrass has both perennial and annual types.
PROS
- Quick germination period
- Holds up well to heavy foot traffic
- Durable with good wear resistance
- Can make a beautiful and vibrant, highly dense turf
CONS
- Can’t survive in consistently warm temperature
- Rarely used as a standalone grass
- Unlikely to produce high quality lawn
- Higher maintenance required
| Season: | Cool-season grass |
| USDA Zones: | All zones |
| Mowing Height: | 2-3 inches |
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun |
| Cold Exposure: | |
| Water Frequency: | Average |
| Traffic Tolerance: | High |
| Soil Type: | Most types |
6. Tall Fescue
