Should I use cool season or warm season grass?

Should I use cool season or warm season grass?

Cool Season vs Warm Season Cool season grasses stay green until temperatures drop below 32 degrees F for extended periods and can survive subfreezing temperatures. Warm Season Grasses prefer the heat of southern climates. They grow the fastest during the summer, preferring temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees.

What happens to grass in the summer?

In Mid-Summer Dry, hot weather can deplete your soil moisture. Moisture stress can lead to wilted grass blades, reduced shoot and root growth, and greater susceptibility to pests and weeds.

What does warm season grass mean?

Warm Season Grasses Defined In the cooler weather of late-fall and winter, they go dormant, turn brown, and won’t green up again until warmer weather returns in spring. The major grasses in this category are bahia grass, bermuda grass, centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia grass.

What happens to cool season grass in summer?

Growth of cool-season grass slows as summer weather becomes hot and dry. Lawns not watered during extended dry conditions will go into a dormant state and grass becomes brown. Dormancy is a protective mechanism allowing a lawn to survive during unfavorably dry conditions.

Can you mix warm and cool season grasses?

For most residential lawns, cool-season grasses should never be mixed with warm-season grasses. Doing so results in a very non-uniform, patchwork-like lawn full of differing colors and textures.

When should I plant cool season grass seed?

As a general rule, plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost, before soil and air temperatures drop to less favorable levels. Your grasses will enjoy a full fall season, plus a second cool growing season come spring.

Does grass go dormant in the summer?

When grass goes dormant in the summer, it also turns brown. Summer dormancy occurs when the grass is stressed out by intense heat and drought. It can stay in this dormant state safely for 3-4 weeks without dying, although intense drought will kill it over time.

What should I do to my lawn in the summer?

1. Mow at the right height. In summer, adjust your mower height to leave grass taller.
2. Water properly. For the healthiest grass, water your lawn deeply and infrequently.
3. Treat for Grubs.
4. Clean up after your pooch.
5. Avoid parking on the grass.
6. Sharpen your mower blade.
7. Let clippings lie.
8. Fertilize warm-season grasses.

What is the difference between warm and cool season grasses?

Warm season grasses are varieties that are in active growth beginning in late spring and go dormant in early to mid-fall. Cool season grasses are varieties that are in active growth (“green up”) much earlier in the growing season (mid-spring) and stay green longer into the fall before going dormant in late fall.

What warm season grass do I have?

Warm season turfs are most common in Southern California. These grasses include Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactlyon) and Zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica). These grasses can tolerate the extremely warm temperatures common in Southern California. Because these grasses are heat tolerant, they will not go dormant in the summer.

Can you keep cool season grass green in summer?

A trick to help keep your grass green in the summer is to let your blades of grass grow a little taller to prevent water from drying too quickly. To do this, set your mower to three inches or the highest setting and mow every two to three weeks.

Will cool season grass grow in summer?

Cool-season grasses go dormant and do not grow during hot weather, when the soil temperature goes above 65 degrees F. Since this is common during the peak summer months, planting cool-season grass seed can result in poor seed germination or even seedling death.

What are the different types of warm season grasses?

Warm season grasses, which are grass species that experience their greenest season during the warm months of spring and early summer, are popular with both farmers tending livestock and landscapers creating garden masterpieces. There are many types of warm season grasses, including switchgrass, Bahia Bermuda, and zoysia grass.

What is the best cold season grass?

Most cool season grasses are turf grasses. The plants do best in spring and fall when there is a plentiful supply of water. The most common types of cool season turf grasses include: Perennial ryegrass. Annual ryegrass. Tall fescue. Creeping fescue.

What is hot weather grass?

The most appropriate grasses to grow in hot areas with full sun in the summer are called warm-season grasses. They flourish in the heat of the summer but slow down or go dormant during cooler winter weather. One cool-season grass, tall fescue, stays green in the winter but can tolerate a hot summer.