Gone are the days when grass was just, well… grass. Today, savvy lawn owners are interested in imported specialty grasses and exotic species from around the world or for their lawn. Despite this unprecedented level of choice, it’s important to remember that not every grass is suitable for every climate. Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting grasses for your particular climate:

Weather Considerations

As you may be aware, Kentucky Bluegrass is enormously popular. However, because of its water requirements, trying to grow this species of grass in a desert area is going to be very difficult. Aside from water requirements, you will need to consider things like the average temperature during the dormant season, as well as the growing season. Depending on the species of grass, you may even find that a winter temperature that is too warm will inhibit the plants from growing in the spring.

A grass type that has been around for quite some time is the bluegrass. This type of grass has been used by people throughout the country for centuries in hopes of creating the perfect lawn. While the grass can be a bluer looking green color, bluegrass is still essentially the color green, like most grass is.

Bluegrass carries several advantages with it to the lawn owners who choose to use it. For one it has great density and color, as mentioned before. When properly taken care of, bluegrass creates a perfect lawn that is sure to get noticed by neighbors. In addition, it is perfect for sitting and running on. The grass is not too prickly to walk on with bare feet in the summer, nor is it so soft that it crumples under a human's skin.

When creating the perfect backyard, it is important to remember that choosing a grass type is a crucial step in the process. While many may feel that all grasses are alike, the truth is that there are many different varieties available and that each has advantages and disadvantages. A good option for any new lawn is bentgrass.Bentgrass

Commonly used exclusively by golf courses, bentgrass is a beautiful looking grass that allows breathtaking fairways and greens to be created. Bentgrass has a very dark green color, often times considered to be a barometer of health with concerns to a lawn, and has terrific texture. As mentioned before, bentgrass can be mowed very short, allowing the grass to seem as if it were an artificial turf. This is a unique feature that most grass types do not share.

Mostly suited for states in the southern and middle parts of America, carpetgrass is often found on roadsides and in fields. Carpetgrass requires time and preparation to care for, as there are many diverse conditions in which it cannot survive.

To begin with, carpetgrass grows best in moist surroundings. While carpetgrass can survive under shady areas, the best way to grow the grass is to place it directly under the sun. One of the biggest problems that lawn owners will have with carpetgrass is the fact that it simply grows too fast. Those who do not want to mow their lawns in a timely and frequent manner should not consider this particular variety of grass.

A popular choice in the states of Florida and Texas, St.Augustine grass is a great choice for anyone located in a tropical region. St.Augustine grass is best known for its ability to thrive under salty or acidic soil, which makes it the perfect choice for regions in the south.

When keeping a St.Augustine grass lawn, it is important to note that this lawn does need a lot of sunlight. Prolonged stages of shade may cause this grass damage or, in the worst-case scenario, to die out.

A grass originally found only in Europe, ryegrass has grown in popularity ever since it arrived in America. This is mainly due to the fact that this grass type not only grows well in cooler seasons, but also very fast to boot. These features make ryegrass very appealing to people who live in northern regions that suffer cold winters.

As mentioned before, ryegrass can survive in cooler regions. It is important to note, however, that this does not mean they can thrive during extreme lows or highs in temperature. The ideal conditions for ryegrass are areas in which temperatures do not shift from very high to very low over the course of seasons. Still, ryegrass works perfectly well with many northern states in the United States and even grows well in the southwest.

It is fairly common for people these days to import all sorts of foreign grasses into their lawns in attempts to spruce up their backyard and impress neighbors. For those hoping for a more natural look, however, there are plenty of native grasses to choose from. Native grasses refers to a group of grass varieties that originated from the United States and has survived to this day.

The problem with native grasses is that too often they are simply tossed aside and considered weeds in the eyes of homeowners. What many homeowners don't know, however, is that keeping a lawn with native grass is beneficial to them in many ways. For one, native grasses work well in flower gardens. Not only does the difference in height allow viewers to fully appreciate the flowers, but the native grasses also keep the garden moisturized leaving little work for the owner. In addition, native grasses do not require much mowing or maintenance of any kind.

A common problem with grasses is that they turn brown or die out during colder, winter seasons in northern states. The fescue grass is an easy solution to this problem, as creating a lawn with this type of grass ensures green all year long.

The first thing that is critical to realize is that there are several different variations of fescue grasses. The tall fescues allow homeowners to have lawns with taller blades that carries more resistance to drought and other extremities. The fine fescues are best known for being able to grow and develop in dry and shaded regions, an unusual feat for any type of grass. And of course there is also a turf-type fescue grass, which closely resembles tall grass, but is overall more practical for home lawns.

Centipede grass is easily controllable and allows homeowners to create lawns sans weeds and pests. This type of grass is often seen in southern states and adapts well to conditions that would be adverse to most grasses. Although it's growth can be a long period, the ability to develop on soils with moderate acid levels makes it the perfect choice for states such as Texas.

A main problem with centipede grass is that it does not adapt well to the cold. If the temperature drops too low, as it often does in the winter in many northern states, centipede grass will die out or be damaged. An insect by the name of nematodes can also spell disaster for centipede grass if not controlled, but overall the are very few problems with this type of grass.