Table of Contents
Cool-season grasses are grass types that thrive in areas with cold winters and hot summers. However, these grasses grow best when temperatures are between 60-75 degree F, which is why they grow most actively in the spring and fall.
How do I know if my grass is cool season?
Warm season grasses are varieties that are in active growth beginning in late spring and go dormant in early to mid-fall. Cool season grasses are varieties that are in active growth (“green up”) much earlier in the growing season (mid-spring) and stay green longer into the fall before going dormant in late fall.
Do I need warm or cool season grass?
Warm season grasses grow best in the southern parts of the United States, while cool season grasses perform well in temperate and northern climates. It is important to know which grass is most suited for your zone or you will have a brown or sickly lawn.
When should I plant cool season grass seed?
As a general rule, plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost, before soil and air temperatures drop to less favorable levels. Your grasses will enjoy a full fall season, plus a second cool growing season come spring.
What is the best cool season grass for full sun?
Tall fescue: This is a durable, bunch-type grass that produces a dark green, finely textured lawn. Pros: This is a good choice for lawns that get a lot of sunshine. It requires slightly less fertilizer and water than some other cool season grasses. Tall fescue’s deep root system enables it to tolerate heat and drought.
When should I Dethatch my cool season grass?
The best time to dethatch your lawn is when it’s actively growing and the soil is moderately moist. For cool-season grasses, that’s early spring or early fall. For warm-season grasses, dethatch in late spring through early summer (after the second mowing). That’s when your grass is growing most vigorously.
What temperature does cool season grass grow?
Roots of cool-season grasses can grow at soil temperatures below 50°F, but growth slows dramatically as temperatures approach freezing (32°F). Root growth is greatest for cool-season grasses during spring and fall and much reduced during the summer and winter months.
Which cool season grasses spread?
Kentucky bluegrass is a very popular cool-season grass in the northern U.S. It has an aggressive spreading habit and dark green leaves. Bluegrass holds up well in high traffic areas of the yard, areas with moderate shade, as well as sunny areas and under scorching heat.
Is St Augustine cool season grass?
Southern grasses are typically known for their dense lawn cover, and turn brown in color when temperatures become cooler. The most commonly used southern grasses are: Bahia, Bermudagrass, Centipede, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysiagrass.
Can you mix warm and cool season grasses?
For most residential lawns, cool-season grasses should never be mixed with warm-season grasses. Doing so results in a very non-uniform, patchwork-like lawn full of differing colors and textures.
Can I plant cool season grass in the spring?
Spring seeding is your second best option for planting cool-season grasses. Aim to seed early in the season, but wait until daytime temperatures are in the 60 to 75 degree Fahrenheit range. This roughly corresponds to the optimal soil temperatures for cool-season grass seed germination.
Will grass seed grow if I just throw it down?
The simple answer is, yes. Beyond just throwing the seed out into the lawn and not performing any grass maintenance there is a whole world of lawn care. Basically the grass will not grow if no grass maintenance has been completing prior to planting and it is just thrown on the ground.
Should I put topsoil over grass seed?
You don’t need to turn the topsoil over. Just break it up so the new grass seeds’ roots can easily grow through. If you just have a small area to seed, a digging fork will do the trick. For larger areas, consider a core aerator.
What is the softest cool season grass?
Many homeowners and landscaping enthusiasts agree that Zoysia grass is one of the softest and most luscious varieties available today. Zoysia grass creates a beautiful lawn that is pleasant to both look at and walk on without shoes. Additionally, Zoysia grass does a great job of choking out weeds due to its density.
What is the toughest cool season grass?
Tall fescue It is one of the most drought-resistant turfgrass varieties. As a cool-season grass type, tall fescue would fare best in northern climates.
Which types of cool season grass will grow in partial or full shade?
For cool-season areas, grass that grows in shade would be Ryegrass and Fine and Tall Fescues, as they offer the most shade tolerance. They require four hours of sun minimum to survive. Warm-season grasses that grow in some shade include Zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass.
Is it better to dethatch or aerate?
It is best to dethatch first before aerating your lawn. This way, you’ll remove the excess debris and promote healthy root development. Aerating is best done when there’s the problem of compaction.
Can dethatching hurt your lawn?
Dethatching Damage Spring dethatching hits a lawn hard when it is already in a precarious condition. Secondly, dethatching in the spring with power equipment can bring up crabgrass and other noxious weed seeds, setting your lawn up for a future infestation.
Should I aerate or dethatch first?
Excess thatch blocks out air, light and water from reaching root zones. Dethatching and aeration services go hand in hand. Dethatch first, then aerate.
