GRASSES
The word grass reminds me of something green, beautiful and comforting to
the eyes. It reminds me of the greenery that carpets landmasses thus creating
landscapes! I have always wondered what the various grass types are.
Questions like "which types of grass grows during which season?" have been
keeping me puzzled. So I found out my answers and am planning to share my
information on the types of grass with you all!
There are many types of grass with each type bearing its own strengths and
weaknesses. Grass can be classified under two broad categories
Warm weather grasses
Most of the warm weather grasses turn brown during cooler seasons. They
are native to tropical regions and flourish even during the scorching heat.
Drought tolerance is seen in some of the grasses of this type. As these
grasses grow older, they form a dense covering on land. They are best suited
in the Southern regions. Grasses like Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass and
Bahia grass can be grouped into this category of grasses.
Cool weather grasses
These types of grass turn brown during the hot seasons. They exhibit their
drought resistant nature by being dormant during certain periods. They
maintain their green color during colder times. A few types of these grasses
can be brought together. Their leaf types and textures are compatible with
each other. Some of the grasses that fall into this category are Fescues,
Bluegrass and Ryegrass.
Here is some information about the different grass types ...
Blue grass is not named because of its color. It got its name from the color of
its seed head. It grows during spring and summer up to a height of two to three
feet. Bluegrass belongs to the genus 'poa'. Kentucky bluegrass is one of the
famous types of bluegrass. It has the ability to spread into thin areas. It is fairly
tolerant to both hot and cold temperatures.
Fescues, classified as cool weather grasses, are shade tolerant, resistant to
drought and remain green throughout the year. Fescues include sub species
like creeping red fescues and tall fescues. They are found in Canada. Ryes
are similar to fescues. Ryes are native to Europe, Asia and northern regions of
Africa. Perennial Ryegrass is grown with Kentucky. They germinate speedily. It
is also fairly tolerant to both extremes of temperature.
Bent grass is another type of cool weather lawn grass. It is regarded as the
most beautiful of the lawn grasses. It requires a high amount of maintenance.
Bermuda grass is cold and drought tolerant. It spreads quickly. It loves sunlight
and thrives well during warmer seasons. Its maintenance requirement is not
much. Its main use is in sports fields, golf courses and parks. It is native to the
African Savannah. It is popularly grown in the Southeastern states of U.S. It is
best to walk on with bare feet on Bermuda grass.
St. Augustine grass is deep-rooted and fast growing. It can survive in mild
winter temperatures. It has originated from the tropical regions. Compared to
the Bermuda grass, this type is less tolerant to cold and drought. In the
Southeastern parts of US and in California, it is known as the carpet grass.
Zoysia is a type of grass belonging to warm weather grasses. It is
attractive-looking and drought resistant. It got its name from the Austrian
botanist Karl von Zois. Zoysia grasses are the first to turn green during the
spring season and turn brown after the first frost. They are native to Japan
and China. Zoysia is also known as Japanese Lawn grass or the Korean Lawn
grass.
Centipede grass type is another type of a warm weather lawn grass. It can
adjust with less fertile soils. It resists grass pests and requires least
maintenance. Bahia grass is the grass of the lawns and the pastures. It is
prone to fewer diseases. It is good for sandy and acidic soils.
Apart from those mentioned above, there are various types of grasses with
interesting names. One of them is monkey grass! It is a green, perennial grass,
adapting well to adverse weather conditions. It prefers dampish soil. It never
needs to be mowed. It is mostly used as a ground cover.
Buffalo grass is another interesting type of grass. The name reminds me of a
herd of buffaloes grazing on the lawns and it is from these buffaloes that it got
its name! This type of grass is the main source of food for the buffaloes on the
Great Plains. Water requirement of buffalo grass is low.
Lemon grass is an herb, which is one of the main constituents of herbal
medicines and beverages. You can actually grow it in your backyard! Pampas
grass can grow to a height of 3 meters. It has long and slender leaves and is
evergreen. In places like California, it is known as the invasive weed.
Now, a word about selecting the type of grass for your lawn...
Consider the part of the country you are living in. Consider the climate and
amount of rainfall your region receives. This is because some types of grasses
require high amounts of rainfall while other do not. Think if you love gardening
or not. You can accordingly opt for grasses requiring a high or low
maintenance. At times grasses like Fescue requiring low maintenance don't
tolerate traffic. So consider the traffic of people your lawn is likely to get.
Understand the amount of sunlight required by the various types of grasses
and see, which needs of grasses, your lawn can satisfy.
I had never thought there would be so much to say about something like grass.
That made me realize how less we think of the things around us. So the next
time you walk on grass with bare feet or mow your lawn, think of the variety in
the types of grass as a nature's gift.
By Manali Oak
the eyes. It reminds me of the greenery that carpets landmasses thus creating
landscapes! I have always wondered what the various grass types are.
Questions like "which types of grass grows during which season?" have been
keeping me puzzled. So I found out my answers and am planning to share my
information on the types of grass with you all!
There are many types of grass with each type bearing its own strengths and
weaknesses. Grass can be classified under two broad categories
Warm weather grasses
Most of the warm weather grasses turn brown during cooler seasons. They
are native to tropical regions and flourish even during the scorching heat.
Drought tolerance is seen in some of the grasses of this type. As these
grasses grow older, they form a dense covering on land. They are best suited
in the Southern regions. Grasses like Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass and
Bahia grass can be grouped into this category of grasses.
Cool weather grasses
These types of grass turn brown during the hot seasons. They exhibit their
drought resistant nature by being dormant during certain periods. They
maintain their green color during colder times. A few types of these grasses
can be brought together. Their leaf types and textures are compatible with
each other. Some of the grasses that fall into this category are Fescues,
Bluegrass and Ryegrass.
Here is some information about the different grass types ...
Blue grass is not named because of its color. It got its name from the color of
its seed head. It grows during spring and summer up to a height of two to three
feet. Bluegrass belongs to the genus 'poa'. Kentucky bluegrass is one of the
famous types of bluegrass. It has the ability to spread into thin areas. It is fairly
tolerant to both hot and cold temperatures.
Fescues, classified as cool weather grasses, are shade tolerant, resistant to
drought and remain green throughout the year. Fescues include sub species
like creeping red fescues and tall fescues. They are found in Canada. Ryes
are similar to fescues. Ryes are native to Europe, Asia and northern regions of
Africa. Perennial Ryegrass is grown with Kentucky. They germinate speedily. It
is also fairly tolerant to both extremes of temperature.
Bent grass is another type of cool weather lawn grass. It is regarded as the
most beautiful of the lawn grasses. It requires a high amount of maintenance.
Bermuda grass is cold and drought tolerant. It spreads quickly. It loves sunlight
and thrives well during warmer seasons. Its maintenance requirement is not
much. Its main use is in sports fields, golf courses and parks. It is native to the
African Savannah. It is popularly grown in the Southeastern states of U.S. It is
best to walk on with bare feet on Bermuda grass.
St. Augustine grass is deep-rooted and fast growing. It can survive in mild
winter temperatures. It has originated from the tropical regions. Compared to
the Bermuda grass, this type is less tolerant to cold and drought. In the
Southeastern parts of US and in California, it is known as the carpet grass.
Zoysia is a type of grass belonging to warm weather grasses. It is
attractive-looking and drought resistant. It got its name from the Austrian
botanist Karl von Zois. Zoysia grasses are the first to turn green during the
spring season and turn brown after the first frost. They are native to Japan
and China. Zoysia is also known as Japanese Lawn grass or the Korean Lawn
grass.
Centipede grass type is another type of a warm weather lawn grass. It can
adjust with less fertile soils. It resists grass pests and requires least
maintenance. Bahia grass is the grass of the lawns and the pastures. It is
prone to fewer diseases. It is good for sandy and acidic soils.
Apart from those mentioned above, there are various types of grasses with
interesting names. One of them is monkey grass! It is a green, perennial grass,
adapting well to adverse weather conditions. It prefers dampish soil. It never
needs to be mowed. It is mostly used as a ground cover.
Buffalo grass is another interesting type of grass. The name reminds me of a
herd of buffaloes grazing on the lawns and it is from these buffaloes that it got
its name! This type of grass is the main source of food for the buffaloes on the
Great Plains. Water requirement of buffalo grass is low.
Lemon grass is an herb, which is one of the main constituents of herbal
medicines and beverages. You can actually grow it in your backyard! Pampas
grass can grow to a height of 3 meters. It has long and slender leaves and is
evergreen. In places like California, it is known as the invasive weed.
Now, a word about selecting the type of grass for your lawn...
Consider the part of the country you are living in. Consider the climate and
amount of rainfall your region receives. This is because some types of grasses
require high amounts of rainfall while other do not. Think if you love gardening
or not. You can accordingly opt for grasses requiring a high or low
maintenance. At times grasses like Fescue requiring low maintenance don't
tolerate traffic. So consider the traffic of people your lawn is likely to get.
Understand the amount of sunlight required by the various types of grasses
and see, which needs of grasses, your lawn can satisfy.
I had never thought there would be so much to say about something like grass.
That made me realize how less we think of the things around us. So the next
time you walk on grass with bare feet or mow your lawn, think of the variety in
the types of grass as a nature's gift.
By Manali Oak
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Bermuda
Fescue
St. Augustine
Zoysia
Grass Planting?
When you are deciding which grass type you would
like to use, the first consideration is would you
prefer a tough "manly" grass, or would you prefer a
very plush carpet of smooth grass?
Obviously the tougher grasses hold up better to
traffic, and they usually grow with far less care than
the plush grasses. But, they can never pull off that
smoothness that the finer grasses can provide.
Fescue is perhaps the most self sufficient grass,
and the toughest. I've seen fescue grow in very
poor soil. St. Augustine, Centipede, are also tough
grasses and as a bonus they grow in strands that
creep all over the yard. While these two are tough,
they are more sensitive to require a healthy soil.
For very plush grasses, you should consider
Bermuda or zoysia. Zoysia being the finest blade of
grass. The downside to these grasses is that you
must have a healthy soil base to grow these in.
They are susceptible to heavy traffic and other
irritations such as disease or grubs.
When you are deciding which grass type you would
like to use, the first consideration is would you
prefer a tough "manly" grass, or would you prefer a
very plush carpet of smooth grass?
Obviously the tougher grasses hold up better to
traffic, and they usually grow with far less care than
the plush grasses. But, they can never pull off that
smoothness that the finer grasses can provide.
Fescue is perhaps the most self sufficient grass,
and the toughest. I've seen fescue grow in very
poor soil. St. Augustine, Centipede, are also tough
grasses and as a bonus they grow in strands that
creep all over the yard. While these two are tough,
they are more sensitive to require a healthy soil.
For very plush grasses, you should consider
Bermuda or zoysia. Zoysia being the finest blade of
grass. The downside to these grasses is that you
must have a healthy soil base to grow these in.
They are susceptible to heavy traffic and other
irritations such as disease or grubs.
| Grass is the common name for the Gramineae family of plants. With more than 9,000 known species, this family is one of the largest on Earth. The grasses I listed above are the most common Grass Types |
| For Trimmer and Edger accessories |
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Click on the names of the grass types above for specific grass information
| Good advice for Warm-Season Grass Lawn. If you reside within the southern sections of the u. s., you almost certainly have a warm-season grass types. Some samples of warm-season grass are Bermuda, buffalo, carpet, centipede, Bahia, St. Augustine, and Zoysia. Warm-season grasses grow best when the temperature exceeds 80ºF. During the winter when the temperature drops, these grasses can go dormant and change to brown. Many southern gardeners can “overseed” their lawns throughout the winter by seeding their existing types of grass with a ryegrass every fall to make sure their lawn stays vibrant green throughout the winter. Warm-season grasses are trickier to keep up than cool-season grasses. Therefore, it's vital to settle on the most effective form of grass planting for your kind of soil. Otherwise, your lawn can quickly be overrun with grassy weeds or unwanted grass varieties. Advantages of warm-season grasses are they are very hearty and require less watering than their cool-season siblings. Typically, watering should be done throughout the winter if the season is extraordinarily dry. To reduce the mandatory maintenance level for your lawn, it's vital that you start out with a good sensible soil and maintain the best growing conditions for your grass type. Generally, this starts with having your soil tested. Testing the soil can make sure that you're fertilizing properly and assist you perceive that grass is best for your space. You can take a sample of your soil to any local county office, and they will test your soil for free! Warm-season grasses ought to be planted within the late spring and may not be planted within the late summer or early fall. Planting them too late within the season doesn't offer them enough time to develop before going dormant. |
