Not all grass is created equal. In fact, there are about a dozen different types of grass and most lawns consist of a mixture of them!
Grass types in the U.S. will typically fall into one of these two categories: Warm Season or Cool Season. It’s important to know how to identify types of grasses for proper care and maintenance as well as if you are looking for sod for installation.
In this article, we’ll share how to identify your grass and a list of the top 10 types of warm-season and cool-season grasses — including several of the northern grass varieties Saratoga Sod offers!
How to Identify Different Types of Grass
Grass consists of several identifiable properties that can help you determine the type you have.
- Grass blade shape and size: Grass blades can be tall and thin or short and wide, and average blade widths vary between types.
- Grass color and texture: Grass colors can range from yellow-green to dark, lush green. Textures could be any degree between rough and smooth.
- Growth height and speed: Your grass may grow fast and grow tall, while others may stay short and take longer to grow.
- Where you live: Depending on what region you are in, your grass type will be specific to your climate (i.e. warm, cold, wet, dry) and your soil (clay, sandy, silty, peaty, loamy).
- Water requirements: Depending on your grass type, it may do well in wet conditions but is not drought-resistant, or your lawn could withstand drought-like conditions but not do well in extreme shade or wet areas.
- Maintenance level: Does your grass require regular weed control, frequent mowings, or watering? The type of grass you have will determine the amount of maintenance it requires.
Warm Season Grass Types
Warm-season grasses, as the name suggests, thrive best during hot weather seasons and are ideal for areas in the south. The top 5 warm grass types include:
- Bahia
- Bermuda
- Zoysia
- Centipede
- St. Augustine
Cool Season Grass Types
Cool-season turf grasses are mostly grown in northern areas that have a cooler climate year-round. When these grasses are exposed to extreme heat or drought, they become dormant if not adequately watered. This is especially true for newly planted sod, which requires sufficient daily watering post-installation until properly rooted. The top 5 cool grass types include:
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Perennial Ryegrass
- Fine Fescues (Creeping Red, Chewings, Hard)
- Turf Type Tall Fescue
- Creeping Bentgrass
Cool Season Grass Varieties Grown by Saratoga Sod Farm
At Saratoga Sod, we grow a variety of northern turfgrass blends and mixtures, each with unique traits, perfect for different site conditions. Here are some of our favorites:
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular northern turfgrass species. It has a deep, green color and excellent texture, and grows from a very extensive system of rhizomes (underground stems that produce new plants). However, it does not grow well in deep shade.
Common traits include:
- Blade Shape/Size: V-shaped, pointed, 1/8” wide
- Color/Texture: Darker green, soft
- Growth: Aggressive, via rhizomes
- Water: Average
- Popularity: Northern favorite for residential lawns, golf courses, and high-use athletic fields.
Turf Type Tall Fescue
Though it is considered a cool-season grass, tall fescue can also be found in hotter regions due to its higher drought tolerance, which is due to its deeper root system. Turf Type Tall Fescue is relatively low maintenance, handles traffic well, and is also relatively shade-tolerant. In lawns that are not predominately tall fescue, patches of tall fescue may stick out and appear as a grassy weed.
Common traits include:
- Blade Shape/Size: Pointed, visible veins, 3/16” wide
- Color/Texture: Dark green, coarse, stiff
- Growth: bunch-forming growth habit
- Water: Frequent
- Popularity: Home lawns and commercial properties.
Fine Fescue/Bluegrass Mix
Kentucky bluegrass will form the nicest lawn, but it has a very low shade tolerance. Fescues (both tall and fine) are often found in mixes due to their tolerance to shade, cold, and drought. When combined correctly, these types will form a dense turf that is acceptable for most Northern lawns in the U.S.
Versatile, shade tolerant, and drought tolerant. A mix of two kinds of grass, this 50/50 mixture may be the sod of choice if you are installing next to an existing lawn or patching an area.
Northeast Sod from a Local Sod Farm
If you’re in the market for premium sod, contact Saratoga Sod Farm today. Our team of experts is standing by to help you select the perfect grass type for your project and provide a seamless installation process.