Specifications of cool season grasses

 

-Kentucky Bluegrass-

RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Widely adapted basic lawn grass of the cool, humid, semi-arid and temperate regions - recommended for residential and commercial lawns. Also, widely used on sports fields and play areas, parks, cemeteries, commercial lawns and roadsides.

TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Thrives in cool weather and will tolerate very cold winters - undergoes stress during extremely hot weather, but will maintain good color and appearance if properly watered and cared for.

DROUGHT RESISTANCE:
Medium - can go into summer dormancy when irrigation is withheld; upon return of moisture supply, will green up again. Some varieties have better tolerance to heat and drought.

SHADE ADAPTATION:
Fair to poor - thrives in sunny areas - a few varieties are moderately adapted to partial shade.

WEAR RESISTANCE:
Medium - recovers quickly from occasional abuse - will withstand moderate foot traffic usage - rhizomes enhance quick recovery, especially in spring and fall.

-Fine Fescue-

RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Well adapted to cool summers and high altitudes - can do well even in cold and arid climates - often used in mixtures with other grasses because of an ability to blend - frequent component of bluegrass mixtures because it grows well in shade or drought-dry soil - used with a warm-season grass in the South, it provides green winter color.

TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Good - tolerates hot and cold weather well - has good winter hardiness - can be used in areas that are subject to widest temperature fluctuations.

DROUGHT TOLERANCE:
Very good drought tolerance for a cool-season grass can go dormant in summer if irrigation is withheld, upon return of moisture supply it will green up again.

SHADE TOLERANCE:
Moderate - most shade tolerant of all grasses but needs some sun - best cool season grass for dry, shady lawns.

WEAR RESISTANCE:
Moderate - grass blades are non-succulent and hardy making an ideal play surface - does not recover well from severe injury

-Tall Fescue

RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Very good transition zone grass - adapted to moderately cold winters and warm summers - good tough play lawn - recommended for a wide variety of uses, including residential and commercial landscapes, roadsides, parks, recreation areas, and sports fields.

TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Good heat tolerance for a cool-season grass - grows in a wide range of temperatures in the transitional climatic zone between cool and warm climates - less cold hardy than most cool-season grasses.

DROUGHT RESISTANCE:
Good - one of the better cool-season turfgrasses, fairly deep root system helps avoid drought. Can go into summer dormancy, with brown leaves, when irrigation is withheld; upon return of moisture supply, will green up again. Some varieties have better tolerance to heat and drought.

SHADE ADAPTATION:
Good in transition zone - prefers full sun - moderately tolerant to partial shade. Of the cool-season grasses, only fine leafed rescues rank higher in shade adaptation.

WEAR RESISTANCE:
Good - suitable for moderate recreation and foot traffic areas exhibiting good initial wear recovery, especially in spring and fall when growth is rapid.

-Ryegrass-

RECOMMENDED USAGE:
Prefers regions with mild winters and cool moist summers, however, it is highly adaptable and widely used - compatible in mixes with bluegrass and fine fescue to make a hardier turf - can be used for sport fields and play areas.

TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE:
Good - newer varieties have greater tolerance to cold winters and hot summers - most vigorous when cool and moist.

DROUGHT TOLERANCE:
Good - without water, will go dormant during a short drought, but will recover.

SHADE TOLERANCE:
Moderate - shows tolerance to filtered shade.

WEAR RESISTANCE:
Fair - suitable for moderate recreation and foot traffic areas exhibiting good initial wear recovery, especially in spring and fail, when growth is rapid.

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