DIY Network

Best Cool-Season Grasses for Cooler Climates

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 northern states or the Midwest.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Many homeowners living in the North or Midwest choose cool-season grasses. One of the most popular is Kentucky bluegrass. It grows to be fairly dense (figure A) and is relatively low-maintenance. This variety of grass is fast-growing but it needs to be fertilized and watered regularly.

• Another choice is fesque grass. There are a number of varieties of fesque (figure B), but they share common characteristics: they can grow well in the shade, stay green year-round and are all drought-resistant. The four varieties of fine-type fesques tolerate shade and cold better than the taller turf-type varieties.

• You can plant cool-season grasses in the fall or spring, but not in the summer. The seeds don't germinate well in warm summer months.

• When planting your lawn from seed, it's important to achieve good seed-to-soil contact. A depth of 1/8 to 1/4-inch is best.

• Seeds grow best from scratch. Till the soil until you have freshly turned earth. When the seeds are dropped into the bare soil, they'll grow more quickly because they aren't competing with weeds for nutrients.

• If you have a trouble spot on your lawn, you can add a few extra seeds, but avoid covering the area heavily with seeds as this may cause disease problems. If you have some bare patches, you may be able to seed over the top of the grass, but you may need to aerate your lawn first.

• An aerator (figure C) punches holes in the dirt so that the seeds will have direct contact with the soil when they are planted. Cool-season grasses can generally germinate very well this way.

RESOURCES :
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

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