How to choose the right grass seed

Did you know there are many types of grass seed–you need to make sure to choose the right grass seed? When we bought our first home that was in need of a lawn, we didn’t realize there were so many different types.

How to choose the right grass seed for your climate

It’s best to choose the type of grass seed that will grow best in your area. There are two main types of grass:

Cool-season grasses tolerate cold winters, and summers that don’t get too hot for too long. These kinds of grasses need lots of regular watering to stay looking fresh and green.

Some of the most popular cool-season grass seed species are:

  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Turf-type Tall fescue
  • Perennial ryegrass
  • Fine fescues (various species)

Warm-season grasses tolerate long hot seasons, but cannot tolerate the cold much at all.

The most popular warm-season grass seed species are:

  • Buffalograss
  • Bermudagrass

You also might want to ask around your neighborhood and local home and garden stores as well for tips on what type of grass grows best in your area.

You might need to choose different types of grass for different areas

Some folks have yards that have extreme differences from one end to another. For example, someone with a stream running through one end of their backyard surrounded by many shady trees might need a different grass seed growing there, than one that grows in the front where it is very dry.

Choose the Right Grass Seed

Choosing a grass seed for droughty regions

  • Turf-type Tall fescue
  • Fine fescues (Sheep & Hard fescue)
  • Bermudagrass
  • Buffalograss

Grass Seed Types for Unique Soils

  • Kentucky bluegrass (many soil types, excels in sandy soils)
  • Grasses for Heavy Shade
  • Fine fescues (various species)

Lifestyle based grasses!

There are even types of grass seed you can choose based on the kind of lifestyle you lead, or the kind of activity you’ll perform on your lawn:

Low Maintenance Grasses

  • Turf-type Tall fescue
  • Fine fescues (various species)
  • Buffalograss

High Traffic Grasses

  • Kentucky bluegrass (heavy traffic)
  • Bermudagrass (heavy traffic)
  • Perennial ryegrass (moderate traffic)

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