CHOOSING THE LAWN THAT BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS
Here are some factors you may wish to consider before choosing a grass seed for your new lawn:
1. Climate- Do you need a grass that is adapted for hot, dry summers or one that can withstand extremely cold winters? Cool season turfgrasses are tolerant of freezing winter temperatures whereas warm season grasses are better suited for areas of extremely hot summers and mild winters. Here we will deal primarily with cool season grasses:
COOL SEASON TURF GRASSES
WARM SEASON TURF GRASSES
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
Zoyziagrass (Zoysia japonica)
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae)
St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Fine fescue (Festuca rubra)
Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)
Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
2. Shade Tolerance of Cool Season Turfgrasses- Some grasses require full sunlight while others thrive in the shade of trees.
ADAPTABILITY OF COOL SEASON TURFGRASSES FROM HIGH (1) TO LOW (2) SHADE TOLERANCE
1. Fine fescues
2. Tall fescue
3. Creeping bentgrass
4. Kentucky bluegrass
5. Perennial Ryegrass
3. Disease Resistance- Grasses vary in their susceptability to diseases.
DISEASE POTENTIAL OF POPULAR TURFGRASSES FROM HIGH (1) TO LOW (5)
1. Creeping bentgrass
2. Fine fescues
3. Kentucky bluegrass
4. Perennial ryegrass
5. Tall fescue
4. Level of management-Grasses vary in their required amounts of inputs from fertilizer to water to mowing heights.
FERTILITY REQUIREMENT RANGE OF COOL SEASON TURFGRASSES FROM HIGH (1) TO LOW (2)
1. Creeping bentgrass- .5-1 lb. N per growing month
2. Kentucky bluegrass- .5-1 lb N per growing month
3. Perennial ryegrass- .25-.5 lb N per growing month
4. Tall fescue- .25-.5 lb N per growing month
5. Fine fescues-.25-.5 lb N per growing month
5. Establishment time- Some grass species begin to emerge within one week while others may require up to 3 weeks.
ESTABLISHMENT VIGOR OF VARIOUS TURFGRASSES FROM FAST (1) TO SLOW (2)
1. Perennial ryegrass- 5 to 10 days
2. Tall fescue- 7 to 12 days
3. Fine fescues- 7 to 14 days
4. Creeping bentgrass- 7 to 14 days
5. Kentucky bluegrass- 14 to 30 days
6. Durability/ Wear Tolerance- Some grasses can withstand greater wear than others. Decide on the amount of and type of use you will be using your turf for.
WEAR RESISTANCE OF VARIOUS COOL SEASON TURF FROM HIGH (1) TO LOW (2)
1. Tall fescue
2. Perennial ryegrass
3. Kentucky bluegrass
4. Fine fescues
5. Creeping bentgrass
7. To seed or to sod? That is the question.- Although seeding is less costly, sodding provides instant results with less effort.
Refrences:
The natural turfgrass evaluation program
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