A beautiful lawn starts with choosing the correct grass. While there are a lot of things to consider, picking the right grass makes a big difference. Your choice determines the care, growth, and maintenance that you need to put in. It could also determine the overall appearance and performance of your lawn. Here are six factors to consider when selecting the perfect grass type for your lawn:
Climate
Climate has the biggest influence on grass type. There are two categories to pick from-cool season and warm season. Cool season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and perennial ryegrass. These grasses prefer regions that have cold winter months and cooler summers.
Warm season grasses include Bermuda and Zoysia. These grasses will do better in warm environments. If you live in a transitional zone, consider the watering and irrigation preferences, and maintenance. When in doubt, seek the opinion of a landscape construction service. The right landscape construction in Port Dover service can help you pick the right grass and ensure you get the desired results.
Evaluate Light Exposure
The amount of sunlight your yard receives throughout the day likely dictates the type of grass that is suitable for your yard. Some grasses grow well in sunlight and some grass varieties grow well in shade.
Most types of Bermuda grass and Zoysia grass are drought tolerant. If your yard has shade from a tree or structures, then fine fescue or St. Augustine are excellent options. If your yard is part sun and part shade, and you desire a uniform appearance, then a mixture of different grass types would be great.
Be Mindful of Your Soil
Before selecting a grass variety, test your soil to find out what kind of soil you have, including texture, pH and nutrient levels. Grasses have different preferences for soils. For example, whereas centipede prefers acidic sandy soils, tall fescue grows well in clay-heavy or loamy soils. You can test your own soil, or call a local service to do so.
Knowing the pH, texture and nutrients in your soil will enable you to choose varieties that can thrive because they are adapted to their environment, and will reduce the amount of fertilizer use.
You should also understand soil health issues, like compaction or drainage issues, before selecting your grasses. In compacted areas or poor drainage, you will want to consider deep rooted grasses. Lawns with compacted soils or poor drainage may kill grasses with shallow roots.
Consider the Intended Use of the Lawn
The use of your lawn is an important consideration when choosing grass variety. Is the lawn decorative, a play area for children, or do you simply want a nice lawn for pets? Some grass species will stand foot traffic better than others.
While perennial ryegrass and Bermuda grass can handle heavy traffic and still have some durability, Zoysia grass grows in a thick mat, so it will exclude weeds, and heal well. However, low traffic areas are best for fine fescues because they are softer and will heal slower with foot traffic. By selecting the right species of grass for its intended use in your lawn, it will minimize the number of reseeding or repair you need to do.
Factor in your Expected Maintenance
Each type of grass has its specific maintenance needs. Some kinds need constant monitoring, mowing, and watering. Others allow for more flexibility. If mowing or frequent lawn maintenance do not appeal to you, drought-resistant and slow-growing species such as Buffalo grass or Fine Fescue grass are preferable. They need to be mowed less often than other types of grasses under the same conditions. They are also tolerant to poor soils or inadequately regulated watering schedules.
High-maintenance species such as Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda grass may be appropriate if you enjoy maintaining the lawn. Having a clear understanding of the maintenance requirements will shape your decision and selection of grass.
Seek Local Experts or Extension Services
Often the best source of information on selecting a type of grass will come from people who understand the specific combinations of these factors in your local region. Check with either garden centers or local landscapers for advice. They can guide you as to which grasses and turf varieties perform best in your regions.
These local experts can assist with all aspects of planning and timing for seeding or sod, recommendations for fertilizing, and appropriate integrated pest management strategies, based on the type of grass you have planted.
Endnote
Choosing the right grass type for your lawn doesn’t have to be difficult. You need to consider the climate, soil type, and maintenance requirements. With the right information and a little planning, you can choose a grass species that suits your needs.