Experiencing the four seasons is a great treat. I especially enjoy seeing the changes in nature as it rotates from blooming to dormant. But one thing no homeowner wants to see is a brown lawn for months on end. So if you live in the northern states, between the Pacific Northwest and New England, cool season grasses might be the answer to keeping your lawn green through the long winter months.
Now, you may be wondering, what are cool season grasses? Well, let me tell you about the 4 most common types of cool season grasses so you can figure out which is the best fit for your lawn.
Cool Season Grasses (An Overview)
Cool season grasses are suitable for regions that experience the four seasons. These perennial grasses stay green throughout the year. They grow during the spring and fall seasons and tend to go dormant in extremely hot or below-freezing temperatures. Here are 4 of the most common cool season grasses:
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Fine Fescue
- Tall Fescue
- Perennial Ryegrass
What Are Cool Season Grasses?
Cool season grasses grow in the northern states from North California up to the Pacific Northwest and across the Upper Midwest all the way to New England. These grass varieties are an excellent fit for the north because they have adapted to a wide range of temperatures, from the summer heat to winter freezes.
Most types of cool season grasses grow during the spring and summer when temperatures are between 60-75 Fahrenheit, but they won’t be killed during a dry summer or winter frost. The most common way to grow cool season grasses is from seed, but there are some sod options available depending on the variety.
A Closer Look at the Different Types of Winter/Cool Season Grasses
Let’s take a look at some of the main characteristics and growing needs for the 4 main types of winter grasses. Understanding their needs will make choosing the right grass for your lawn easier.
Kentucky Bluegrass
This is one of the most popular cool season grasses out there, and it’s easy to see why. If you plant this cool season grass variety, then you’re sure to have the ideal lawn year after year. Kentucky Bluegrass is known for its emerald color, fine texture, dense growth, regenerating capabilities, and cold hardiness.
In fact, Kentucky Bluegrass will handle cold temperatures better than most cool season grasses. It prefers full sun, but some varieties are more shade tolerant. If you’re thinking of getting this cool season grass type, then be prepared to do some work. Kentucky Bluegrass demands high maintenance.
You’ll have to keep your Kentucky Bluegrass lawn well irrigated in the summer since its short root system doesn’t allow it to handle drought or heat well. Kentucky Bluegrass will likely go dormant during the intense summer heat, but it will come back quickly as soon as conditions change.
Fine Fescues
Fine Fescues are a cool season grass type that are great for shaded lawns. If you want a low-maintenance lawn that stays green throughout the year, then these are the cool season grass types for you.
There are 5 different Fine Fescue species: Hard, Sheep, Chewings, Creeping Red, and Slender Creeping Red. These perennial turf grass varieties handle tough sandy, rocky, or clay soil. They are perfect for spaces that get moderate foot traffic.
One of the best selling points of Fine Fescues is that they are eco-friendly since their high drought tolerance means they need less watering than other grass types. If the temperatures rise above 90 degrees, then you might notice your Fine Fescue lawn go dormant, but don’t worry. It will turn green once temperatures drop again.
While Fine Fescues are pretty easy to care for, you’ll need to add routine dethatching and supplement nitrogen to your maintenance schedule.
Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue is extremely versatile and handles shade and drought better than most cool season grasses. This is one of the best types of winter grass because it can grow in sunny or shaded areas, in tough soil conditions, and is great for medium-traffic areas.
Also, this is a popular cool season grass variety in areas that experience extreme weather fluctuations from freezing to sweltering. With roots that grow 2-3 feet deep, Tall Fescue consumes less water than other grasses. They are known for having coarse, ribbed, and wide blades that are uniform in size and deep green in color.
Tall Fescue grows in clumps and is spread by vertical shoots called tillers. Because it grows in bunches, it’s an easy grass to keep out of unwanted areas like your flower bed, but on the other hand, it has poor regenerating abilities.
You might want to overseed your Tall Fescue lawn to keep it looking uniform and not clumpy. While Tall Fescue is pretty low-maintenance, you have to watch out for fungal diseases.
Perennial Ryegrass
You’re likely to spot Perennial Ryegrass growing all over the United States. Perennial Ryegrass is widely used as a permanent lawn in the north and as winter filler for lawns in the south, thanks to its speedy growth.
This cool season grass is less cold tolerant than other cool season grass types, and it is very common in the Pacific Northwest, where the summers are moderate, and winters are cool. In addition, its shallow root system makes it less tolerant to drought than other cool season grass types like Fine and Tall Fescues.
Perennial Ryegrass prefers full sun but can handle a lightly shaded yard. If you need grass that fills in quickly, then Perennial Ryegrass is your answer. It germinates faster than all cool season grasses, growing in clumps across the lawn through vertical shoots.
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