Types and Usage of Lawn Grasses

A lawn is an ordinary feature of ornamental public parks and landscapes. There are so many types of lawn grass. Each type is adapted to certain temperature and precipitation conditions as well as sun and shade tolerance. New and improved lawn grass varieties are constantly being created by breeders. The two fundamental classes are warm season grasses and cool season grasses.

Warm Season Grasses

Lawn grasses of this class are of tropical origin and flourish during the blistering summer heat. Warm season grasses are more commonly used on golf courses and commercial sites because they are tough and usually develop a lawn cover which hardens as they age. Several warm season grasses are a bit drought tolerant and are capable of handling very high summer heat. Lawn grasses typically form the playing surface for several outdoor sports, providing a cushion for athletes and lessening erosion and dust. Here are some of the most common lawn grasses that falls onto this class:

• Bahiagrass

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Bahiagrass is a low maintenance grass that flourishes in most soil types. This type is resistant to frequent problems like drought, bugs and diseases.

• Zoysiagrass

This type of lawn grass is typically utilized on golf courses to make teeing areas and fairways. Zoysiagrass can keep up well under traffic and can resist disease. It is well-known because of its soft feel, low growth habit and fine texture. For landscape usage, Zoysiagrass is commercially available as sod in a few areas.

• St. Augustine grass

This warm season lawn grass is well-known for utilization in subtropical and tropical regions. St. Augustine grass requires sufficient amount of sunlight. It thins out if shaded for long span of time.

• Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass is typically utilized on golf courses, public gardens and sports fields. What’s good about this type is that it can endure heavy foot traffic.

• Carpetgrass

Carpetgrass is a low maintenance grass that grows on acidic soils but can’t tolerate salty or dry conditions. It can resist higher traffic but can’t abide much shade.

Cool Season Grasses

Cool season grasses grow best during the Spring and Fall seasons. These grasses are used widely in the northern parts of the United States. Grasses of this class keep their color well in cool areas. Among the most popular grasses that are included in this class are the following:

• Bluegrass

Being used widely by grazing livestock, bluegrasses are also utilized in sports fields and golf courses in several countries. Some of its species are popularly used for landscapes and gardens.

• Ryegrasses

Ryegrasses are primarily used for lawns and in soil erosion handling programs. These grasses may also be utilized as pasture and hay for farm animals.

• Bentgrass

This type of lawn grass is desirable for golf course fairways, tees and greens. Because of its numerous advantages, it is utilized in turf applications.

• Fescues

Fescues are commonly used on golf courses and in soil erosion control programs. Fescues are also utilized as feed for horses.