Developing a lush, healthy lawn requires the correct selection of grasses for the various climate and soil conditions, and for the intended use of the lawn. Many factors should be considered in the selection of the kind of grass to use. This chart gives a rapid overview of some characteristics of grass used in the Pacific Northwest.

 

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS (Poa pratensis):

A cool season, moderate to fine-textured shallow rooted perennial grass which spreads by Rhizomes. It produces a sense sod under favorable conditions. Widely adapted, grown in all states, but seldom found in the Gulf states. In the Pacific Northwest, is best adapted to lawns east of the Cascade Range. It has a high cold tolerance; grows on heavy soils of moderate fertility, best adapted to soils of limestone origin. Will not persist in acid soils. Not drought resistant, but survives long dry periods while dormant. Some cultivars are shade tolerant; some do not tolerate intense heat. A hardy grass with good to excellent wearability, it is generally considered the standard by which other lawn grasses are measured.

Water: Needs supplemental irrigation in most areas. Without adequate water, leaves turn brown, growth stops. Regrows with adequate water.

Fertilizer: Up to 6 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year; ½ to 1 pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month. Use a complete fertilizer.

Seed Count: Between 1,800,000 and 2,200,000 per pound.

Seeding rate: 1 to 2 pounds/ 1,000 square feet.

Seeding time: September 1 to November 1; March 1 to May 1.

Gemination: 14 to 30 days.

Mowing: Varieties differ, dwarf types may be cut as short as 3/4 inch. Most should be cut between 1 ½ and 2 ½ inches. Suffers from heat stress if mowed too short.

CREEPING BENTGRASS (Agrostis palustris):

A fine leaved, cool-season stononiferous perennial which is adapted to cool and humid regions. Tolerates low temperatures and relatively poor, wet soils. Used primarily on golf courses for putting #eeeeees; produces high quality turf. The grass of choice for lawn bowling. Likes full sun, but will tolerate some shade. Requires frequent mowing, or will build an extensive thatch layer. High maintenance requirements may limit use for home lawns.

Water: Needs large amounts.

Fertilizer: Up to 6 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year; 1/4 to ½ lb actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed Count: 7,800,000 to 8,000,000 per pound.

Seeding rate: 1 lb/750 square feet for putting #eeeeees.

Seeding time: September 1 to November 1; March 15 to June 1

Germination: 6 to 20 days.

Mowing: Use a reel-type mower. Cut at 1/4 inch for #eeeeees; up to 3/8 inch height for lawns

COLONIAL BENTGRASS (Agrostis tenuis):

A fine leaved, cool-season sod forming perennial. Forms a close, high quality turf. Adapted to cool, humid regions, but is fairly drought tolerant. Needs sun, will tolerate some shade. Persists on acid soils on which Kentucky bluegrass will die out. Used primarily as a lawn cross west of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington, and in New England. Very competitive, will tend to dominate other desirable grasses. May be subject to sever pest and fungal disease damage. Tends to form thatch if not properly mowed and maintained., Moderate wearability. High maintenance requirements may limit use for home lawns.

Water: Needs large amounts.

Fertilizer: Up to 6 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year; 1/4 to ½ lb actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed Count: 8,000,000 to 8,500,000 per pound.

Seeding rate: 1 ½ To 3 pounds per1,000 square feet.

Seeding Time: September 1 to November 1; March 15 to June 1.

Germination: 6 to 20 days

Mowing: from 3/8 to 3/4 inch, using a reel type mower.

Chewings Fescue (Festuca rubra commutata): A fine textured cool season aggressive perennial bunchgrass, which has an erect growth habit. Does not have rhizomes. Well adapted to cool, humid areas. Needs reasonably good drainage, but grows on poor, drier sites and on highly acid soils. Has a good drought tolerance. A major turf grass for open sun, yet is very shade tolerant. Forms a dense wear resistant turf when seeded thickly. Mixes well with other grasses; is frequently used in mixtures with bluegrasses and turf type perennial ryegrasses. Lower maintenance requirements, may die out if over fertilized.

Water: Drought tolerant, moderate requirement.

Fertilizer: 1 to 3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year; 1/4 to ½ pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed count: 400,000 to 600,000 seeds per pound.

Seeding rate: 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Seeding time: September 1, to November 1; March 1 to May 15

Germination: 7 to 14 days

Mowing: Cut from 1 ½ to 2 inches, use either reel or rotary mower.

CREEPING RED FESCUE – Festuca rubra rubra (Festuca stolonifera):

A fine textured, cool season sod forming perennial grass. Most plants have short rhizomes.. Well adapted to cool, humid areas. Needs reasonably good drainage, grows on poorer and drier soils and those with lower acidity. Excellent for open sun and shade. Forms a dense turf with good wear resistance. Mixes well with bluegrass and turf type ryegrasses. Grows well on slopes and banks; has a good appearance when left unmown. Lower maintenance requirements, may die out if over fertilized.

Water: Drought tolerant, moderate requirement.

Fertilizer: 1 to 3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year; 1/4 to ½ pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed count: 400,000 to 600,000 seeds per pound.

Seeding rate: 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Seeding time: September 1, to November 1; March 1 to May 15

Germination: 7 to 14 days

Mowing: Cut from 1 ½ to 2 inches, use either reel or rotary mower.

HARD FESCUE – (Festuca longifolia) or (Festuca ovina var. duriuscula): A fine textured, cool-season perennial bunchgrass. Adapted to northern half of the continental U.S. Grows on dry, sandy, gravely or rocky soils. Drought tolerant. Has good heat resistance. Grows more slowly than other fescues. Has moderate heat tolerance. Some varieties are used for turf where conditions indicate. Withstands moderate wear. Primary use is for erosion control and soil improvement. Maintenance: Low levels.

Water: Drought tolerant. Adapted to 14″ – 30″ rainfall.

Fertilizer: 1 to 2 pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year; 1/4 to ½ actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed count: 550,000 to 600,000

Seeding rate: 4 to 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Seeding time: September 1 to November 1; March 15 to May 15

Germination: 7 to 14 days.

Mowing: Cut from 1 to 2 inches in height. Use a very sharp mower as leaf blades are relatively difficult to cut cleanly.

TALL FESCUE (Turf Type) – (Festuca arundinacea): A medium textured cool season bunchgrass developed from the more course forage types. Adaptation is more widespread because of greater head and drought tolerance than other species of turf grasses. Deeper root system. Does well on heavy soils. Adapts to wide range of soil pH levels. Accepts poorer drainage. General purpose turf grass. Will develop a good, rough play lawn, excellent for erosion control and athletic fields. Has moderate shade tolerance; good wearability in spring and fall. Many of the newer improved varieties have a fine textured blade. Maintenance requirements: Moderate:

Water: Good drought tolerance with deep water, needs deep irrigation in arid climates.

Fertilizer: 1 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet per year; 1/4 to ½ pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed count: 200,000 to 240,000 per pound

Seeding rate: 10-12 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Seeding time: September 1 to November 1; March 15 to May 15.

Germination: 7 to 14 days

Mowing: Cut from ½ to 2 inches form athletic fields , 2 to 3 inches for other uses.

PERENNIAL RYEGRASS – (TURF TYPE) – (Lolium perenne):

A cool season perennial bunchgrass which forms a good sod when seeded thickly. Moist, cool environments are preferred. Likes full sun, but will moderate some shade. Grows on a wide variety of soil types including heavy soils. Considered a short lived perennial. Mixes well with fine fescues and bluegrasses. Large number

of improved varieties, list increases steadily. Germinates rapidly. Must be seeded more heavily for good turf. Needs higher level of fertility. When well maintained provides a durable turf for heavy uses. Grows rapidly, can make a usable lawn in three weeks.

Water: Medium requirement; shows stress rapidly.

Fertilizer: Minimum of 4 to 5 pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Viability and color improved with 8 to 10 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Generally, ½ to 1 pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed count: 210,000 to 250,000 per pound

Seeding rate: 8 to 10 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Seeding times: September 1 to November 15; March 1 to June 1

Germination: 5 to 10 days

Mowing: Cut at 1/ ½ inches to 2 ½ inches. Some varieties will tolerate 3/4 inch height. Keep mower sharp for best results.

Some dwarf or slower growing varieties of turf type perennial ryegrass have been developed as well.

ANNUAL RYEGRASS (Lolium multiflorum):

Developing a lush, healthy lawn requires the correct selection of grasses for the various climate and soil conditions, and for the intended use of the lawn. Many factors should be considered in the selection of the kind of grass to use. This chart gives a rapid overview of some characteristics of grasses used in the Pacific Northwest.

Water: Medium requirement; shows stress rapidly.

Fertilizer: Minimum of 4 to 5 pounds actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Viability and color improved with 8 to 10 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Generally, ½ to 1 pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing month.

Seed count: 210,000 to 250,000 per pound

Seeding rate: 8 to 10 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Seeding times: September 1 to November 15; March 1 to June 1

Germination: 5 to 10 days

Mowing: Cut at 1/ ½ inches to 2 ½ inches. Some varieties will tolerate 3/4 inch height. Keep mower sharp for best results.