Grass That Grows Well In Wet Lawns
Not all lawns are the perfectly-manicured ones of legend. Lawns come in all shapes, sizes, and soil types. Wet soil can provide a particular challenge, so lets look at some of the types of grass that grows well in wet lawns.
There are a number of reasons why you may have a wet lawn. Grading of the yard can be an issue, and allow water to pool in areas of your lawn. Poor drainage conditions, overwatering, and overly shady regions can also cause water problems.
How Frequently Should You Water Grass
In order to guarantee your lawn grass stays healthy, watering it is crucial. But how much water? And when?
Because lawns require different maintenance strategies, weve broken down preferential water patterns by season.
- Cool Season Grasses
Youll want to water cool-season grasses once a week until the season ends. Typically this is through the fall months and into the winter months until the first major frost.
- Warm Season Grasses
Water these grass types frequently throughout their growing season in the months of spring and summer. And on into the fall months.
Along with scheduling proper months to water your grass, youll want to water at the right time. Which is in the morning hours, to ensure evaporation doesnt lead to inadequate water absorption.
Get A Free Quote From Hambleton Lawn & Landscape
If your lawn isnt what you want it to be and you need help choosing grass that grows well in wet lawns, contact Hambleton Lawn & Landscape. We will be glad to assess your lawn, soil conditions, shade and zone to recommend the right kind of grass.
We provide a full range of lawn and landscaping services including lawn care, aeration and overseeding for residential and commercial properties throughout Northern Virginia.
for a free quote and a risk-free guarantee on your lawn and landscaping needs!
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Sample Grass Seed Label
- Variety or type of grass and cultivar. Refer to the University of Maryland Technical Update TT 77 Turfgrass Cultivar Recommendations for Certified Sod and Professional Seed Mixtures in Maryland for the list of recommended cultivars.
- Germination rate is the percentage of pure seed that is viable and will grow.
- The origin where the seed was produced. Oregon’s ideal weather conditions for seed production of cool-season grasses makes it a large producer of quality grass seed.
- Name and address of seller or supplier
Other crop seeds
- Inert matter including chaff, soil, and debris. This value should be as low as possible. Inert matter is contained in the bag but doesn’t actually grow.
- Percentage by weight of other agriculture crop seeds or undesirable grass seed. This number should be between zero and 0.5%. Avoid purchasing seed that contains Lolium multiforum , also called Italian ryegrass. This annual grass is found in inexpensive grass seed, only lives for one year, and makes it difficult for the desired grass species to become established.
- Percentage by weight of weed seed. This number should be close to 0.00%.
- Avoid purchasing seed that lists a percentage of noxious weeds.
Types Of Warm Season Grasses
Knowing your plant hardiness zone can help you narrow down grass types and pinpoint the type thats growing in your yard. In warmer regions, look for these characteristics:
- Bermudagrass : A fine-textured, durable grass with tiny hairs on its leaves.
- Zoysiagrass : A thick, wear-resistant grass that feels stiff to the touch. Its well-suited for the south, but also grows well in the transition zone, the area running from the east to west coast of the U.S. with both cold winters and hot summers.
- Centipedegrass : A skinny light green grass that grows slowly.
- St. Augustinegrass : A coarse, bluish-green colored grass thats extra tolerant to heat and can grow in partially shaded areas.
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Master List Of Lawn Grasses
There is no one size fits all when it comes to grass that grows well in Virginia. Discover what kind of grass you already have on your lawn, or choose the right type of grass for your needs.
Bahia Grass
Bahia grass is a hard, all-purpose grass with a touch, coarse texture that can be difficult to mow. Its aggressive nature allows it to grow in even poor soil with little maintenance. It is known for its disease and insect resistance. Warm-season grass.
A grass that grows well in wet lawns, or lawns with poor drainage, the Bahia grass is recommended. As a warm-season species, it performs best in summer, especially in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Since it puts down a deep and extensive root system it can also be drought and disease resistant. Wet-climate grass.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass can grow rampant if not kept under control, as it requires little maintenance other than sunlight. It is a resilient grass that grows quickly. Warm-season grass.
A fast-growing turfgrass that can however invade gardens and plant beds. Full sun with poor shade tolerance best established by sod, sprigs or plugs.
Centipede Grass
If your ground is acidic, with a pH range between 4.5 and 5.5, centipede grass will provide a hardy lawn. It requires a sunlit area and may need a low-nitrogen fertilizer each spring. Centipede grass does not hold up to heavy traffic and cannot tolerate fertilizer containing phosphorus. Warm-season grass.
Fescue Grass
Kentucky Bluegrass
Rough Stalk Bluegrass:
Rye Grass
What Kind Of Grass Do I Have
Itâs nothing to be ashamed of if you donât know your turf type, many people donât and there are quite a few to choose from!
Living in a transition zone means both warm season or cool season turf grow in your area. Identifying what type of grass is in your lawn is critical in order to keep your lawn healthy and looking great, however, this is not always easy to do. Knowing some simple facts about each type of turf will help you identify what type of grass you have in your lawn.
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When Should You Mow Your Lawn
First, youll want to deadhead your lawn. So, before your lawn comes back from a dormant season, you can rid your lawn of the dead grass. And then your grass can grow back strong and healthy.
Ideally, youll mow your grass once a week. Unless of course your type of grass grows at an extremely fast pace!
However, the longer you can let it grow, the better when you first plant grass. This is because as it grows, the root system will strengthen, which ensures a healthy lawn of grass.
Plus, longer grass helps reduce weed growth. So, let it grow to around 2.5 inches before taking a lawnmower to it.
How To Choose Grass Seed
Two main types of grass for turf are warm-season grass and cool-season grass. Pick the species of grass seed that matches your climate and your yards sun exposure. Also consider how much moisture your lawn will get. You may need a grass that resists drought. Finally, pick a type of grass seed that can stand up to the amount of foot traffic your lawn receives.
Warm-season grass originates in the South and grows best in hot weather. Most warm-season grass goes dormant and turns brown in cool temperatures. It should be planted in late spring. Some warm-season grass seeds, such as Zoysia, should be planted at least 90 days before the last frost in your area or the seed may not survive the winter.
Cool-season grass generally originates in the North and is characterized by rapid growth in the spring and fall. Cool-season grass types often turns brown during periods of high summer heat. The best time to plant cool-season grass seed is in late summer or early fall.
= warm season grass
= cool season grass
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Observe Lawn Grass Features
Once you’ve narrowed your search based on your growing region, look to similarities and differences between common grasses to help identify your grass type. Features such as color and texture are simple to see and feel, but other features require a closer look.
Grass types vary in the width of their blades and whether blade tips are sharp-pointed, rounded or boat-shaped. The arrangement of grass leaves in new shoots, called vernation, may be V-shaped and folded or circular and rolled. Your grass’s growth habit also provides grass I.D. clues. Some types form clump-like bunches. Others spread via above-ground stems known as stolons, below-ground stems known as rhizomes or both. Investigating these features closely lays the groundwork for identifying your lawn grass type.
If you’re still stumped about the type of grass you have, your local county extension agent may be able to help. If you take in a sample, take a whole plant from root to tip, including a seed head if you have it. Some agents may be willing to stop by and look at your lawn in person.
By learning how to identify your lawn grass, you can give it the care and maintenance it needs to become the lawn you’ve desired to own. Pennington is here to help with expert advice, premium lawn care products, and the finest grass seed possible.
Pennington and Smart Seed are trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.
How Do I Plant My Grass
Now that you know your zone, you need to determine the best types of grass to plant in your state. Knowing your states climate and soil condition will be quite helpful for growing the lush, green grass you desire. If you are wondering what types of lawn grass are suitable for your yard, you must know the characteristics of different grass types.
Keep watering in an optimal quantity and take care of shade and sunlight. If you want rapid growth, then bermuda grass is the type that you need.
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Types Of Grass For Your Lawn
Think grass is just, well grass? As it turns out, there are quite a few different types of grass blanketing the lawns of todays homes, each with their own textures, maintenance requirements, and benefits. And depending on where you live, youll have a lot more luck with grass of one variety than you would with another.
Many people move into homes where the lawn is already established, so there are no decisions to be made about which type of grass would be the best fit. Understanding the differences between the various types of grass however will allow you to pinpoint exactly what youre working withand what youll need to do to keep your yard looking as healthy as possible.
Below, weve outlined the basics of some of the most common types of grass options in the country. Whether youre trying to figure out how to better care for your yard or youre starting from complete scratch with your landscaping, heres what you need to know to achieve shear perfection with your lawn .
How To Identify Your Lawn Grass
Knowing how to identify your lawn grass is an important step in meeting its needs and growing a beautiful, sustainable lawn. If you’re starting a new lawn from scratch, knowing what grass you have is easy. But when your lawn came with your home, lawn grass I.D. can be a guessing game. These steps to grass identification can help you narrow the field, identify your lawn grass, and put you and your lawn on the path to success:
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When Should You Fertilize Your Lawn
Since you want a lush, healthy lawn, youll want to fertilize.
Begin with a dose of fertilizer in the spring. Then follow up throughout the summer months. And on into the fall.
Make sure you water before and after you fertilize. And never use fertilizer right after mowing your lawn. Instead, youll want to wait to fertilize a couple of days after you mow.
Why Do You Need To Know Your Grass Type
So, why is it helpful to know your grass type at all? Well, for one thing, the climate and soil conditions where you live can help some species of grass to grow and might damage or even kill other species.
To make things simple, there are two primary types of grasses: warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses grow best in temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and go dormant in cooler weather. Cool-season grasses, on the other hand, thrive in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate cooler weather and potential frost conditions over the winter.
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Types Of Cool Season Grasses
Common grass types for cool regions include:
- Kentucky bluegrass : A dark green-colored grass that has leaves with boat-shaped tips. Its may also be used in the transition zone.
- Perennial ryegrass : A low-maintenance, thin grass with noticeably shiny leaves.
- Bentgrass : A bright green, fine-textured and high-maintenance grass such as on golf courses.
- Tall fescue : A dark green, coarse grass with unique lines on the upper side of its leaves and pointy leaf tips. Also grows well in Transition zone.
Proper Care For Your Grass Type
The type and frequency of lawn care required to maintain a healthy and green yard depends on the type of grass you have. By mixing different types of grass seeds, a green lawn is possible year round. Mixing grass types also helps to defend against damage from traffic and pests. There are a few grass types that make up the majority of lawns in Southern Ontario, so what type do you have?
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Which Turfgrass Is Best For Your Lawn
There are 4,000,000 acres of turf grass grown in Texas and many species, each with its own characteristics and its own pros and cons. Some are cool-season grasses and they do better in north and northwest Texas. Others, like buffalo grass – although considered a warm-season grass – do not do well in southeast Texas lawns. There are, however, three which grow reasonably well here.
Are There Any Other Factors Besides Geographical Region To Keep In Mind When Deciding On A Grass Seed
Yes, there are quite a few factors to keep in mind. Some types of grass require direct sunlight and have a low shade tolerance. Therefore, if you have a lot of trees around your lawn or other objects that will block sunlight, this may impact the growth of your grass. If you have children and expect to have heavy foot traffic, then you should also choose a grass seed that can tolerate that kind of stress.
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Types Of Lawn Grass Identification
Looking at pictures of sod or turfgrass, its easy to think that all grasses look the same. However, you can quickly identify individual species of grass by examining them up close. Read on to find out the botanical names of grasses, see pictures, and read descriptions of the most popular types of grass.
How Do I Make My Grass Greener
To grow a perfect green grass, you should use natural fertilizers that contain slow-release nitrogen, aerate your lawn, water the grass to its deepest roots, use pest killers carefully, and provide your grass a balance of shade and sunlight. Greener lawns aid well in landscaping, and if you manage to take care of the above-mentioned factors, you should be able to maintain a yard that will catch everyones eyes.
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What Type Of Grass Do I Have
Want to know a few fascinating facts about grass? Grass covers about 20% of the land on earth. Thats a great thing, considering that lawns do a lot more than sit pretty. A healthy lawn provides oxygen, absorbs noise and can help cool your home. Lots of different grass species do this good workin fact, there are more than 12,000 species of grass around the world!
Its hard to believe so many types of grass grow around us, and it can be even tougher to tell which type is growing in your yard. But, if youre itching to find out what type of grass you have, keep on reading.
Below, learn how to identify your grass, and get tips on choosing the best grass for your area.
Choosing The Best Grass Types For Pa
If you are looking for the best grass species that will thrive in Pennsylvania, the turf type tall fescue is one of the best options. These grasses will keep weeds at bay while providing some spectacular color for your lawn. For those who need help choosing a suitable variety for your yard, a commercial lawn care service has options for you. They consider many things, including budget, maintenance needs, and soil quality. With all that information, these professionals can find the ideal grass species for your space.
Now that you know the most popular types of grasses in Pennsylvania, you want to find the best ways to care for and treat them. Specific grass species have particular needs. When you understand that, you will have a healthy and lush lawn for your property.
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Grass That Grows Well In Virginia
A lovely lawn takes more than regular watering and mowing. It needs the right kind of grass to grow well in Virginia.
According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech, Virginia is what turfgrass managers describe as a transition zone.
This means that we have cold winters and hot, dry summers that dont make for easy choices in lawn grass.
So How Many Types Of Grass Are There
Grass belongs to a family of plants called poaceae, of which there are about 11,000 different species. But dont worryyou dont have to consider 11,000 different types of grass when designing or identifying your yard!
Instead, there are about a dozen different grass species that are commonly used in North American lawns, and many lawns contain a mixture of two or more varieties.
Lawns in the U.S. tend to fall into two distinct categories:
Warm season grasses Grass varieties that do best in warmer climates, such as the South and Southwestern states.
Cool season grasses Grass varieties that do best in cooler climates, such as the Northeast and Pacific Northwest.
If you opt for warm season grasses in a cooler climate youre almost certainly going to run into some trouble keeping your lawn looking healthy. For that reason, its a good idea to stick to the types of grass that are the best fit for where you live, and then from there narrow it down even further to the grasses that offer the look and level of maintenance youre after.
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