Have you been struggling to find the perfect grass for your lawn? With so many different types of grass to choose from, it can be a challenge to determine which one is right for you. That's why we've put together this guide to help you with your Kansas City lawn!
Below, our team has detailed the attributes of the most popular grass types for our area to help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to help you decide which grass you sould seed in your Kansas City lawn!
The climate here in Kansas City does not quite make our area a tropical oasis. As such, many lawns benefit from utilizing cool-season grass types. Cool-season grasses are known for their more hardy and resilient nature, as well as the ability to resist extreme temperature changes, which comes in handy when winter arrives. These varieties can handle the fluctuation between heat and cold better than their warm-season counterparts, making them ideal choices for our climate. Let's take a closer look at these grass types.
Tall fescue is a popular cool-season grass for Kansas City lawns. It has a deep root system that allows it to withstand drought and heat, and this means your grass will stay greener for longer! It is versatile, low-maintenance, and relatively disease-resistant. You can identify tall fescue by its coarse texture and wide blades of a light green color, as well as its bunch-type growth patterns. The optimal height for this grass is between 3.5 to 4 inches. This grass should be watered deeply and less frequently to promote deeper roots. Though tall fescue will require more frequent mowings and maintenance, it is the most resilient and long-lasting cool-season grass.
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Fine fescues are a family of cool-season grasses that are well-suited for shady areas. They are soft, fine-textured, and come in several varieties like red fescue or chewings fescue. Fine fescues are known for their narrow blades and needle-like appearance, hence the name. These varieties tend to be darker in color than tall fescue. They can thrive at a range of heights between 2.5 and 4 inches. Fine fescues germinate quickly, meaning they can produce a thick lawn in a short amount of time.
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Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular cool-season grasses for lawns across the country. Homeowners who love Kentucky bluegrass are drawn to its deep emerald color that may even appear to have shades of deep blue in certain lighting. However, this grass should only be used in cooler climates, and it is often mixed with tall fescue seed to optimize performance. Unlike bunch-type grasses, Kentucky bluegrass spreads by rhizomes, which allows it to recover well from wear and tear. This grass usually performs best around 3 inches in height. Though beautiful and lush, Kentucky bluegrass lawns are typically considered one of the most high-maintenance options for homeowners.
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Homeowners in cooler regions like ours should generally avoid warm-season grass types because they struggle to stay green and healthy outside of hot summer months. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass, Zoysiagass, and Centipedegrass, go dormant and turn brown as soon as temperatures drop in fall, leaving a lawn looking dead for much of the year.
To stay green and healthy, warm-season grasses often need more specific and specialized care, which can make maintenance more demanding for the average homeowner. Choosing a cool-season grass for your Kansas City property is the best and easiest way to keep your lawn looking great through the changing seasons.
Choosing the right grass type for your Kansas City lawn can greatly improve the overall appearance and health of your turf. Each of the grasses discussed above has unique attributes that make them well-suited for different types of lawns and conditions. Here at Heartland, we offer a 100% tall fescue seed blend, which is a mixture of three varieties of tall fescue, or a blend of tall fescue and bluegrass.
Call us today for more information on how to seed and maintain the best grass in the area, or to learn more about any of our lawn care services in Kansas City!
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