Turfgrass is a broad umbrella term that covers a broad spectrum of grass species with narrow leaves used as a low-growing perennial ground cover on lawns, sports fields, and golf courses. They can generally stand up to high traffic well and tolerate lower mowing heights than other grasses.
If you have a lawn, then it’s likely that you have one or more varieties of turfgrass growing in your yard. Every type of turfgrass has unique qualities and will thrive in different growing conditions. Some prefer full sun and warm temperatures, while others tolerate some shade and grow best in the cooler temperatures of spring and autumn.
Two of the most popular cool-season grasses are quite different from one another when you compare them and take a hard look at their characteristics.
While there has been push-back in recent years bemoaning the ecological cost of turfgrass lawns, many homeowners love the grass in their yard, and why not?
Turfgrass feels good underfoot, it’s a great blank canvas to decorate with ornamental trees and perennial garden beds, and having a level yard available for your kids and pets to run and play in is the primary draw of homeownership for many families.
On this page I share a number of different articles and resources to help you learn more about your lawn turfgrass options. I hope you find these resources interesting and useful – whether you’re choosing the best grass for a new lawn, or want to learn how to care for and maintain your existing turfgrass lawn.
In this section you can explore my in-depth guides to different types of turfgrass, includin their properties and characteristics, notable cultivars, disease and pest resistance, durability, color, and much more.
Centipede grass is an incredibly heat-tolerant grass found across the Southeastern United States. It’s popular in residential lawns due to its low maintenance requirements. Centipede
Need a grass type that does well in shade? Creeping red fescue grass is great for this purpose. It thrives in partial and heavy shade,
Fescue grasses have become one of the most prevalent grasses in the United States. Across its several hundred different species, fescue has proven a durable
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular grass types in American yards. Its rich and luxurious blue-green shade sets it apart, making it popular
Perennial Ryegrass has found its way into lawns all over the United States. It has a fine texture, bright green color, and remarkable durability, which
If you want the perfect lawn, you have to choose a grass that is appropriate for your region. If you’re thinking about planting St. Augustine
Zoysia (also known as zoysia grass) is one of the most common types of grass found in the United States. It’s increasingly popular due to
Every grass needs different things to thrive, and understanding your property’s conditions will help you select a solid turfgrass for your lawn.
When choosing a turfgrass for your property, start with the basics and look at the grass zone map pictured here.
Are you located in the cool-season grass zone, the warm-season grass zone, or the transitional zone which runs between the two?
Beyond these factors, here are some relevant articles which may help you choose the perfect grass for your yard’s conditions:
Part of the reason people love lawns is because they are a welcoming, functional space. Whether you’re hosting friends for a fabulous afternoon brunch, or
If part or even all of your property tends to sit in the shade, it’s essential that you choose a variety of grass that will
There are some unique challenges involved in growing grass in dense, clay soil. Clay is usually nutrient-rich and it is effective at holding water, but
If you are a family with kids and pets you might know how difficult to can be to find the time to maintain your lawn.
A sandy yard doesn’t spell doom for your lawn, though it presents challenges you’ll need to work around. If you’re having issues getting your grass
I’m a big fan of turfgrass which spreads laterally by rhizomes and/or stolons.
This type of turf will repair itself and fill in bare patches when your lawn is damaged, saving you time and money.
Turfgrass which fills in naturally is especially helpful if you have kids, pets, or a high traffic lawn or athletic field where you don’t want to constantly be working to repair damage.
Here are some articles about turfgrass that spreads laterally:
The way your lawn grows and spreads can seem almost like a mystery to those who don’t know anything about grass. But it’s no mystery
Zoysia grass (sometimes referred to as zoysigrass) is a popular variety of lawn grass that does especially well in warm climates. It originated in Japan
You may have heard about the thick lawns centipede grass produces. Or maybe you envy your neighbor’s lush stand of turf that seems to require
If you’re looking for some interesting reading about lawns and grass usage, these articles are a few that I think you might like:
The lush, green lawn is such a staple of the American dream, and an ideal associated with owning a home and property. We tend to
Do you love the idea of a lush and uniform lawn that looks like the fairway on a golf course? Well, having a lawn that
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Dustin Stoll is the owner of a horticulture design and consulting company. He has done planting design work on many commercial and residential projects. Previously, Dustin was Director of Horticulture at Tulsa Botanic Garden, where he worked for over eight years.
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Dustin Stoll is the owner of a horticulture design and consulting company, Stoll Design. He has done planting design work on many commercial and residential projects. Before starting his own company, Dustin was Director of Horticulture at Tulsa Botanic Garden, where he worked for over eight years.
Arthur Davidson is a seasoned horticulturist with over five decades of hands-on experience. Holding an A.S. in Horticulture, Arthur’s expertise spans landscape design, organic gardening, soil science, and more. A former ISA Arborist and Master Gardener, Arthur maintains a gardening blog of his own.
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