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  • Best Warm-Season Grasses for Warm Regions
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    PHOTO

    Kentucky bluegrass can be mixed with other grass seed to achieve a strong, green multi-purpose lawn.
    Curb appeal begins with a well-manicured lawn, but the kind of grass you plant can make a big difference. Some grasses are evergreen while others have a dormant period in the winter when they turn brown. Here are some suggestions for a successful lawn if you live in the South or the Southwest.
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    PHOTO

    Figure A
    PHOTO

    Figure B

    • Homeowners in the South and Southwest need to plant warm-season grasses. Among those, there are a number of different options. One of the most popular is Bermuda grass which grows well in full sun (figure A) and grows well from seed.

    • A hybrid Bermuda-grass sod is also a very attractive option. It's so versatile that it can often be found on golf courses (figure B) and parks, as well as in neighborhood yards.

    • Plant Bermuda grass in late spring or early summer since it germinates best in hot temperatures.
      PHOTO

      Figure C
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      Figure D
      PHOTO

      Figure E
    • Zoysia grass is another option. It grows all over the South, and can do well a little farther north. It is commonly used on golf courses and athletic fields. It's more shade-tolerant than Bermuda grass and can grow in a variety of soil types. Zoysia grass grows thick and dense (figure C), and crowds out weeds once it's established.

    • Remember that, if you're planting a warm-season grass, they will remain green in the warm months but will turn brown when they go dormant in winter (figure D). As soon as spring arrives, the green color will return.

    • Centipede grass is probably the warm-season grass that requires the least maintenance. It's very drought-tolerant. It grows only a few inches tall (figure E), so it needs to be mowed less often than other varieties.

    Recap: Warm-Season Grasses
    • Choose a grass for your lawn that grows well in your area of the country.
    • Popular warm-season grasses include Bermuda, zoysia and centipede grass.
    • For best results, all of these grasses should be planted in late spring or early summer.


    RESOURCES :
    Landscaping: Planning, Planting, Building (Better Homes and Gardens Step-by-Step Series)
    Model: 0696025582
    Meredith Books Corp.
    Website: www.meredith.com

    Landscaping: Principles and Practices
    Model: 082736735X
    Author: Jack E. Ingels

    Delmar Learning

    Taylor's Master Guide to Landscaping
    Model: 0618055908
    Author: Rita Buchanan

    Houghton Mifflin Co.
    Boston, MA 02116
    Phone: 617-351-5000
    Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com