Know Your Surroundings

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In this Article

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Simplified Guide to Understanding Your Lawn's Location and Grass Type

Knowing your lawn's location and the type of grass it has is crucial for proper care. Simply put, no two lawns are the same.  Their location is different, soil type is different, grass type is likely different, and the way they are maintained are likely different.  

Why Knowing Location Matters

Developing a Plan

No two lawns are alike.  The faster this concept is adopted into your lawn care routine, the better off you will be. Start with a soil test to understand your soil's needs. This helps you choose the right products and save money.  If you haven’t read the previous blog on soil testing, start there.  

Location-Specific Information

Generic advice may not apply to your area, so knowing your location helps you make a plan that works for your lawn.

Understanding Grass Zones

Cool Season Grasses

These grasses thrive in northern and western areas and are active in fall and spring. Examples include Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fine Fescue.  

Warm Season Grasses

These grasses thrive in southern areas and are active in mid-spring to mid-fall. Examples include Bermuda Grass, St. Augustine, Centipede, Bahia, and Zoysiagrass.

Transition Zone

This zone between cool and warm areas can support certain types of both cool and warm season grasses but requires careful selection.

Identifying Your Zone

Cool Season Zone (Blue)

Northern and western U.S. and Canada, with active growth in spring and fall.

Transition Zone (Teal)

Middle and eastern U.S., with both opportunity and challenges for both cool and warm grasses depending on grass type selection. 

Warm Season Zone (Yellow)

Southern and southeastern U.S., with peak growth in summer.

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Understanding Your Lawn's Environments

Sun, Shade, and Traffic

Grass types vary in their tolerance to sun, shade, and traffic.  Some grass types will perform better in certain elements than others, making the selection even more important for your lawn.  

Drainage and Soil Type

Some grasses handle poor drainage or specific soil types better than others.

Current Grass Type

Some grass types are more compatible with others.  It is important to identify which grass type(s) you currently have in your lawn to create your plan of attack moving forward.  

Free Grass Guide

Download my free guide “What Grass is BEST for Me?” to find the best grass for your location, specific environments, and lifestyle.

Identifying Your Grass Type in Your Cool Season Lawn

Learn to identify Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fine Fescue using a simple chart.

Grass Identification

Get up close to your grass to identify its type using the chart.

Kentucky Bluegrass

  • Prominent midvein
  • Boat-shaped leaf tip
  • Folded vernation
  • Rhizomatous growth habit
  • Panicle-type seed head

Tall Fescue

  • Pointed leaf blade tip (not boat-shaped)
  • No prominent midvein (tall fescue has equal sized veins throughout entire width of leaf blade) 
  • Rolled vernation
  • Bunch-type growth habit
  • Panicle-type seed head

Fine Fescue

  • Boat-shaped leaf blade tip
  • Very narrow, folded leaf blades
  • Veins usually not visible
  • Folded vernation
  • Bunch-type or rhizomatous growth habit
  • Panicle-type seed head

Perennial Ryegrass

  • Boat-shaped leaf tip
  • Shiny underside of leaf blade
  • Prominent midvein with smaller veins throughout leaf blade
  • Folded vernation
  • Bunch-type growth habit
  • Spike-type seed head

Understanding your lawn's location and grass type makes it easier to care for and maintain a beautiful, healthy lawn.

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References: 

https://extension.psu.edu/the-cool-season-turfgrasses-identification

Step
1

Learn About Your Soil

Ever question which fertilizer is best for your lawn? How about how much fertilizer to purchase and apply to your lawn? Perhaps your lawn isn’t looking healthy as you want it after the money, work, and effort put into it.

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Step
2

Know Your Surroundings

Knowing your lawn's location and the type of grass it has is crucial for proper care. Simply put, no two lawns are the same. Their location is different, soil type is different, grass type is likely different, and the way they are maintained are likely different.

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Step
3

Measure Your Property

Measuring your lawn is crucial for buying the right amount of products like fertilizer. Here's how to do it easily:

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4

The Basics of Fertilizing

Adding fertilizers to your lawn care routine is crucial for maintaining plant health and achieving a lush, green lawn. Fertilizers provide essential nutrients that enable proper plant growth and help improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of fertilizing, whether to DIY or hire a professional, steps to fertilizing your lawn, finding the right fertilizer, calculating application rates, using a spreader, when to fertilize, and watering in fertilizer applications.

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Step
5

Get a Thicker, Greener Lawn

Getting a thick, lush, green lawn - When and how to seed your lawn. 

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6

Preventing & Managing Weeds in Your Lawn

Control the weeds in your lawn to enjoy a lush, green lawn again. 

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7

The Basics to Watering Your Lawn

Water is a required resource needed by all living things, plants included. Similar to humans needing to drink enough water, our lawns and gardens are no different.

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8

The Basics to Mowing Your Lawn

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9

The Basics of Dethatching Your Lawn

A lush, green lawn is the pride of any homeowner, but achieving that perfect lawn requires proper care and maintenance. One important aspect of lawn care that is often overlooked is dethatching. Dethatching is the process of removing the layer of dead grass, debris, and organic matter that can accumulate on the surface of your lawn, known as thatch. While a thin layer of thatch is normal and can actually benefit your lawn, too much thatch can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass, leading to a dull, unhealthy lawn. 

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10

The Basics of Core Aeration

Achieving a healthy, vibrant lawn requires more than just regular mowing and watering. Core aeration is an essential maintenance practice that can greatly benefit your cool-season lawn. Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from your lawn, allowing for better air, water, and nutrient penetration to the grassroots. Understanding when and why to aerate your lawn can help you achieve a lush, healthy lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood.

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11

Fall Chores & Managing Leaves

As the vibrant colors of fall foliage begin to fade, homeowners are faced with the annual chore of managing fallen leaves. While it may be tempting to simply rake them up and dispose of them, there are better ways to manage fall leaves that can benefit your cool-season lawn. Properly managing fall leaves can help improve soil health, reduce thatch buildup, and provide valuable nutrients to your lawn.

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