There are over 12,000 types of grasses. Did you know that bamboo, the world’s fastest growing plant, is actually a grass? However, when died-in-the-wool lawn enthusiasts talk about their “green baby,” they mean turfgrass.
Countryliving.com has an article, Best Types of Grass, about different types of turf for lawns. It defines turfgrass as suitable for those living in the North, the South, and what is termed the transition zone, from Virginia and North Carolina all the way west to Kansas.
Consider Going with a Pro Blend
Of course, you can mix or match grass seeds to meet your needs, but don’t just go to the nearest home and tool dealership to buy your seed. For the most beautiful lawn possible, consult with a pro seed shop. For example, in the Indianapolis area, Execu-Turf offers grass seed Indianapolis residents love. They have seven different blends of mix grasses for the lawn perfectionist. This will create the perfect green setting for their yard.
A great thing about companies like Execu-Turf is that they do not only offer quality grass mixes. On their mixes and blends website, they provide you the following information:
- whether the grass mix is good for a new or established lawn,
- whether it holds up well in the sun,
- what kind of maintenance to expect to keep it up,
- how well they wear against foot traffic,
- how much seed you need for 1,000 square feet (both for a new and established lawn) and
- detailed description of the color and look the particular blends will provide.
Moreover, if you are still confused, you can call them up for pre-purchase consultation. With companies like Execu-Turf, you can be sure you are getting the highest quality blends without any fillers or additives.
List of Suggested Grasses According to Where You Live
- For the North
- Kentucky Bluegrass – a turf that does best in moderate temperatures. This grass stands up well to heavy foot traffic and has an attractive color.
- Perennial Ryegrass – a popular mixed grass formulation.
- Fine Fescue – a grass that loves the shade and is perfect growing fodder for areas under trees, although it’s more delicate to foot traffic.
- North Transition
- Tall Fescue – a deep root grass that does well in both the heat and in areas that don’t receive a lot of rain.
- Transition Grasses
- Zoysia Grass – a thick grass that does well in the sun. Zoysia grass is very a popular choice among many of the nation’s golf courses.
- Bermuda Grass – a warm weather grass, it also does well when the temperature drops. Bermuda grass is very popular for putting greens on golf courses as you can cut it very short without stressing the plant.
- Southern Grasses
- St. Augustine Grass – a tough grass found often in Florida and Texas; this grass survives well in the southern sun.
- Centipede Grass – a very low maintenance turf that resists pests and even grows well in acidic soil. Often found in Mississippi, the Carolinas, and Louisiana.
Is There a Cure for Lawn Obsession?
There may be no professional name for those obsessed with producing the most gorgeous lawns within their neighborhood, but the Wall Street Journal produced a humorous article, What The State of Your Lawn Says About You, which quoted one obsessed lawn care aficionado as saying, “I want to achieve a lawn so appealing that strangers buy puppies just to photograph them here.”
Learn the Ropes
Of course, developing and maintaining the right lawn with the look and precision of a baseball field doesn’t come easy. There are many things to learn, such as how often to water and fertilize, how often to cut your lawn, and what should be the depth of the cut.
To some, this all seems like a pipe dream. They simply want a nice lawn that sets off the house. However, for others, it’s a Zen passion and art form. In either case, you can have a great looking landscape for your home by buying premium turf seed.
