Comparison of Cool-Season Grass Types

Where to Find Them

Cool-season grasses refer to grass types that are typically found in the north. The reason they are most common in the North is for their colder temperatures and the roots high tolerance to cold. Though the temperature is not the only factor, these types of cool-season grasses require healthy soil to grab essential nutrients in order to grow thick, lush grass.

You can locate these grass types in the northern regions where it can get much cooler in the winter than in the south. Kentucky Bluegrass can be found coast to coast, as it is a more common grass type in the north. Tall fescue is found mainly in the transition zone where cold meets warm, as it has a moderately high tolerance to both temperatures. Perennial Ryegrass is a northern grass type but can be found temporarily in the south.

How to Care for Them

Each grass type has unique features, tolerability, and maintenance needs. Kentucky Bluegrass and Ryegrass require high maintenance, including regular mowing, watering, fertilization, and seasonal aeration. During peak season, these grass types grow fast and thick when taken care of properly, thus proving that constant maintenance takes time for desired results. On the other hand, Tall Fescue grass does not require much attention. It still needs fertilization, watering, and mowing, but on a much lower scale than the other two listed above. If you are looking for a cool-season grass type that you can leave alone for days at a time, Tall Fescue may be a good fit. 

What Makes Them Thrive

As you can see from the chart above, we organized the information on tolerability into cold, heat, shade, and drought tolerance. Each grass type listed has a similar tolerance to these factors. For instance, Bluegrass and Ryegrass both have a moderate tolerance to heat, drought, and shade, whereas Tall Fescue ranges from moderately/high to high tolerance per category.

To keep your lawn thriving, follow the chart and see what steps you can take to ensure a long, healthy life for your turfgrass. Understanding what your lawn requires from you will ultimately save you time and headaches in the long run. 

 To find out more about what your lawn requires from you to be able to flourish, contact your local Weed Man team today!