If your lawn struggles to grow and never seems to thrive no matter what type of feed, fertilizer, or watering schedule you use, it may not be that you're failing to take care of the grass properly. It may simply be that you're trying to grow the wrong grass on your property in the first place! Just like any other type of vegetation, there are different types of grass and each will grow and thrive in certain climates, and some are tough and hearty and better for difficult growing conditions. Note a few tips for how to choose the right grass for your property so you finally have a lush, green lawn.
1. Cold tolerance
What is the average temperature of your property? You want to think about more than just how hot it gets during a short summertime, as the weather of your area throughout the year will affect the grass you grow. Remember that grass roots need to stay intact and healthy year-round for your grass to be beautiful in summertime. If you live in an area that is relatively cooler throughout the year, buffalo grass and Zoysia grass are good choice as they don't wither away during colder weather.
2. Heat tolerance
You may think that lots of sunshine is good for your grass and certainly grass needs a fair amount of light to grow, but too much heat for certain species of grass will simply cause it to wither. In very warm area, whether it's warm and dry or warm and humid, try Bermuda grass. Zoysia grass is also very strong and can withstand heat as well as cold. Centipede and St. Augustine varieties are also good for heat tolerance and especially for heat as well as humidity. Palmetto St. Augustine is very hearty and can also tolerate variances in both heat and cold.
3. Transition zones
A transition zone is an area that may experience both cold winters and long summers, so getting a hearty grass that stands up to both extremes is important. Fescue grasses are tough and somewhat turf-like, so they stand up to these transitions and tolerate all sorts of weather. These may not be the softest texture under your feet but they are more likely to thrive when your area sees both long winters and hot summers. You might also consider a mixture or blend of grasses when your home is in a transition zone; for example, try mixing Palmetto St. Augustine seeds with buffalo grass in a transition zone.
