Virily Editor
Owning a home is one thing. Taking care of it is another. Spicing up the looks of your home involves taking care of the backyard and the lawn in addition to just the indoors. Growing grass on your lawn is a great way to upgrade the look of your property.
Maintaining a healthy lawn doesn’t have to be strenuous. If you choose the right grass type, purchase quality grass seed, apply fertilizer, and keep it well-watered, you’ll hardly feel the pinch. Here are the most popular types of grass to choose from.
Bermuda
This warm weather grass is popular in the eastern and southern parts of the U.S. Bermuda is tolerant of drought, humid weather, and the hot temperatures of summer.
Bermuda’s fine texture makes it suitable for places where lots of people walk. It can take the beating and easily recover because it’s incredibly tough.
Apart from high temperatures, this grass also requires soil with a good drainage system to thrive. Additional nutrients to the soil will help, too.
Bermuda grass requires regular maintenance, but it’s a great and durable choice for your lawn.
Buffalo grass
Do you want low-maintenance grass in your yard? Buffalo grass is a great choice.
This tough turfgrass dates back to the 1930s in the Montana and New Mexico plains. Its resistance to cold and drought makes it a good option for your lawn.
Buffalo grass requires minimal water. With its dark bluish-green color and curly leaves, you’ll have your lawn looking bright green all throughout the year.
Because this grass isn’t very thick, it’s prone to destruction by weeds. You’ll need to keep an eye out for weeds in your yard.
Zoysia
This grass is relatively new in the U.S. and can be traced back to 1911 in the Philippines.
Zoysia is the right choice for lawns with high traffic. It also thrives well in gardens that receive partial to full sunlight.
This drought-tolerant grass requires minimal watering. However, if it doesn’t receive enough water, it can quickly go dormant by turning brown after the initial frost but resuming growth at 70° F.
With its hardiness, Zoysia does well in all soil types except for overly wet soil.
Zoysia has its planting zones in southern parts of the U.S., as well as a few northern parts of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Bahiagrass
This low-maintenance grass finds its roots in the southeastern U.S. It’s a great grass seed for lawns with poor soils and little amount of rainfall. If you don’t have much time on your hands, this is an excellent choice since it requires little watering and fertilizer.
Bahia grass is intolerant to;
- Soil acidity
- Saltwater
- Too much foot traffic
Bahiagrass is light green, has short coarse leaves, and is tolerant to diseases. The grass is widely grown in southeastern parts of the USA such as Texas, Florida, and Virginia.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky Bluegrass is the go-to option for homeowners looking to have a beautiful, dense, and durable lawn. Its soft texture, round tip, and fine blade will give your lawn an exceptional look.
The grass is prone to growing back yearly, with a high growth rate in fall and spring. During these periods, the grass requires minimal maintenance to maintain its beauty. For better looks, consider mowing it to three inches.
The grass does well in the northern U.S. Its hardiness makes it able to withstand the cold winter.
Apart from lawns, this grass is also used in athletic fields and pasture plants. Kentucky Bluegrass grows densely, making it traffic-resistant. Its shallow root system makes it spread quickly and heal easily after damage.
Perennial Ryegrass
This highly adaptable grass seed is ideal for home lawns, gardens, and pasture seeds, and it has a high germination and establishment rate.
Perennial Ryegrass is highly tolerant of traffic and quickly recovers after damage. The grass is an excellent choice for turf and pasture.
The grass is best suited for cold weather. However, it does well all year round, rarely going dormant.
Fine Fescue
Tracing its origin back to Europe, this disease-resistant grass found its way to the USA in the early 1800s. Homeowners love fescue on their lawns thanks to its all-year-round presence and quick growth rate.
Fine Fescue has also gained popularity with farmers because it can control soil erosion and make good cover crops.
The grass also makes good playgrounds, golf courses, and pasture for such animals as deer and moose.
Fine Fescue is the most popular grass seed in the U.S. since it’s highly tolerant of cold, drought, heat, and shade.
How to choose the right grass type for your home
Different grass seeds are suited for different weather conditions, so consider the climate of your region before settling on a grass type. You can also think about which grass seeds do best in which environments, such as lawns, playgrounds, and more. Finally, choose the type of grass that requires only the amount of upkeep you’re willing to put in.
