Different Types of Grass in Oregon

Are you jealous of your neighbors’ thick, lush lawn, while your grass remains brown and patchy no matter what new lawn care tip you try?  If you are doing the best you can to maintain your grass, but are continuously seeing poor results, there is probably a good reason: You are trying to grow the wrong grass in your yard. There are many different types of grass, and each one has its own ideal growing conditions. When you choose the right kind of grass, you will see surprising results. This quick guide identifies three cool weather kinds of grass which thrive in Oregon.

 

Bluegrass

Bluegrass is a popular choice for private lawns and public parks. There are several varieties, or cultivars, of bluegrass to choose from, but one of the most common options for homeowners is Kentucky Bluegrass.

Kentucky Bluegrass is disease resistant and easy to grow. It covers well, looks great and blends in beautifully with other grasses. But, there are some negatives when it comes to seeding with Kentucky Bluegrass that you need to consider. Kentucky Bluegrass doesn’t do well in areas which may not get enough water or sunlight. You will also need to mow more frequently because Kentucky Bluegrass is known for its rapid growth under ideal conditions.

Other cultivars of Bluegrass which you may want to think about planting include: Canada Bluegrass which is excellent for cold weather and areas with poor soil; Rough Bluegrass which has coarser, larger blades than Kentucky Bluegrass and requires less maintenance; and Supina Bluegrass which is perfect for lawns with up to 90 percent shade or high-traffic areas.

 

Ryegrass

Ryegrass is an excellent choice if you are looking for very durable turf grass for your yard.  There are two types of Ryegrass, perennial and annual.

The perennial cultivar of Ryegrass is the much more popular choice because it comes back year after year. Therefore you can save the time and expense of having to reseed each year. Many homeowners use Perennial Ryegrass to overseed to help maintain a thick lawn throughout the year and prevent crabgrass from growing due to the Ryegrass’ allelopathic properties. You can mow Perennial Ryegrass down to 1.5 inches during the colder months, but it should be kept about double that length during the summer.

Although Perennial Ryegrass is durable to foot traffic, it is vulnerable to droughts and does not hold up well in extreme cold.

Annual Ryegrass is not a popular choice for residential lawns, but some homeowners use it to maintain soil stability over the winter.

 

Bentgrass

Bentgrass is another option for Oregon homeowners. It is a very durable, bright green grass which can handle heavy mowing and that is one of the reasons why it is a popular choice for putting greens. Like other cool weather grasses, Bentgrass requires plenty of moisture to thrive.

It is a fast-growing grass and can have the tendency dominant other kinds of grasses on your lawn, although it is more vulnerable to heat damage and diseases than different varieties.

 

Homeowners who need need professional landscaping services in the Salem area should contact Green Acres Landscape. The company offers a full range of lawn care services from lawn damage repair to mowing. Call 503-399-8066 for more information.