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What Type of Grass Do I Have?

How to Identify Varieties of Grass in PA

Knowing the types of grass that makes up your lawn can help you care for it properly. After all, things like water use, fertilization, mowing height and mowing frequency, as well as weed and pest control treatments may be dependent upon what type of grass is growing in your yard.

Here is a breakdown of some of the common grass types that do well in South Eastern Pennsylvania’s climate, along with other relevant information such as their respective levels of drought resistance and preferred light conditions.

Common Types of Cool-Season Lawns:

Kentucky Bluegrass: Resulting in a darker green lawn than any other grasses in the area can produce, Kentucky bluegrass is soft and resilient with V-shaped blades and canoe-pointed tips.

  • Drought Resistance: medium
  • Texture: fine to medium
  • Traffic Tolerance: medium
  • Sunlight: full sun
  • Other Attributes: cold resistant, resistant to insects and disease, goes dormant during drought

Perennial Ryegrass: This low-growing turf has shiny, stiff blades with pointed tips, sharp creases, visible veins, and broad collars. Ryegrass produces a soft, dark-green lawn.

  • Drought Resistance: low
  • Texture: medium to course
  • Traffic Tolerance: medium to high
  • Sunlight: full sun to partial shade
  • Other Attributes: Does not require as much fertilizer or water

Tall Fescue: This turf has the widest blades of any grasses in the area. Green to dark green in color, it is easily identifiable by its conspicuous veins, rough edges, ridged surface, and smooth underside. Tall fescue grows in clumps and has stiff, coarse individual blades with pointed tips.

  • Drought Resistance: High
  • Texture: Course
  • Traffic Tolerance: high
  • Sunlight: full sun to partial shade
  • Other Attributes: thrives in mild winters and warm summers

Fine Fescues: This group of turfgrasses tends to remain green from season to season. The most identifiable characteristic of the fine fescues is their thin, folded blades and dull green-gray coloring. The blades create a very soft lawn and have dull undersides, keeled tips, and are not veined.

  • Drought Resistance: low
  • Texture: fine
  • Traffic Tolerance: high
  • Sunlight: partial sun to partial shade
  • Other Attributes: grows well even in heavy shade

Buffalo Grass: It can be a tough, durable alternative to many cool-season grasses. It greens up faster in the spring, stay green longer in the fall and spreads quickly. The fine leaves stay a nice blue-green during the growing season, and it requires less mowing, watering, and fertilizing.

  • Drought Resistance: high
  • Texture: fine
  • Traffic Tolerance: high
  • Sunlight: full sun
  • Other Attributes: a bit rarer but very versatile, thrives in dry sunny conditions

Talk to a GREENSKEEPER Lawn Care Professional

Determining grass type can actually get pretty complicated. Since some lawns may have a mixture of grass types, you may be unsure of which type of grass you have. The best way to be certain is to talk to a lawn care service professional from GREENSKEEPER. We will be able to explain which type of grass you have and will determine the right combination of lawn care services to ensure it looks beautiful and stays healthy.

We know how to care for every type of grass in Pennsylvania. Our Service Programs helps ensure your lawn is the healthiest it’s ever been. For a more beautiful lawn this season, contact us today.