Lawn Care Guides

What grass type should I plant?

The best grass depends on your climate zone. Cool-season grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass) thrive in zones 2-7 with temperatures of 60-75°F. Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede) perform best in zones 7-10 at 80-95°F.

What is the best grass for shade?

Fine Fescue is the most shade-tolerant grass, thriving in 50-80% shade. St. Augustine tolerates moderate shade (4-5 hours of sun). Tall Fescue handles partial shade well. Bermuda and Centipede require full sun and perform poorly in shade.

What is the best low-maintenance grass?

Centipede grass requires the least maintenance of any warm-season grass, needing only 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per year and infrequent mowing. For cool-season lawns, Fine Fescue requires minimal fertilization and can be mowed less frequently than other varieties.

How do I identify what grass I have?

Identify your grass by blade width, growth habit, and color. Bermuda has fine blades and spreads aggressively via stolons and rhizomes. Kentucky Bluegrass has boat-shaped blade tips. St. Augustine has wide, flat blades. Tall Fescue grows in bunches with coarse blades. Use our free Grass Selector Quiz for help.

When should I fertilize my lawn?

Cool-season grasses should be fertilized primarily in fall (September-November) with a lighter spring application. Warm-season grasses should be fertilized in late spring through summer (April-August). Never fertilize dormant grass. Use our Fertilizer Calculator to get exact amounts for your lawn size.