HELPFUL HINTS FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE
TRANSITION ZONE GRASSES HELPFUL HINTS
FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE
HELPFUL HINTS FROM THE LAWN INSTITUTE
becomes more important, particularly during the summer months. Proper soil preparation and aeration also are key so that the lawn can put down deep roots to survive during heat and drought. You may also want to consider raising the mowing height and applying protective fungicides for summer lawn diseases such as brown patch. While fescue and bluegrass may struggle during the hottest summer months, they will thrive during the spring, fall, and mild winters, and produce a nice lawn for all to enjoy.
Tere are many species of grass available for use on lawns in various environments. Cool-season grasses such as Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are often used in cooler climates whereas warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysiagrass are used in warmer climates. Tis is due to a fundamental difference in the way that cool- and warm-season grasses metabolize carbon. Tis difference in metabolic pathways results in warm-season grasses trading less water for carbon than cool-season grasses do, thus making them more drought tolerant. So, in southern climates that are often warmer and drier than cooler climates, warm-season grasses have evolved to be more successful. Inversely, in cooler climates and more northern regions, cool-season grasses have evolved to be more successful.
Te question now arises, which grass do you select if you live in a transition zone environment that has climatic conditions similar to cool- and warm-season regions? Te answer is that you can grow cool- and/or warm-season grasses. Or, as the joke often goes, you can grow them equally as poorly. Growing grass in the transition zone can present some challenges, because not any one species of grass will be perfect for all conditions. Selecting the appropriate species is the most important first step.
When growing cool-season grasses in the transition zone, drought tolerance is a key factor to consider. Tall fescue is the most drought tolerant species of cool-season grass and Kentucky bluegrass is probably second. It is often common to find mixtures of these two species. When growing cool-season grasses in warmer climates, irrigation
Warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysiagrass will produce lawns that thrive during the mid-to-late spring, summer, and early fall months. But they may go dormant when temperatures drop in the late fall and stay dormant through the winter and into spring, until temperatures warm.
Warm-season grasses have superior drought and traffic tolerance to cool-season grasses but may struggle in heavy shade and in areas with harsh winters. Te farther north warm-season grasses are planted, the more winter injury is likely to occur. Tere are newer varieties available with improved cold hardiness, so be sure to consider that as a factor if planting a new lawn in the northern parts of the transition zone.
As is often the case with decisions, there are many choices and factors to consider when planting or managing new lawns. Te Lawn Institute website has an entire section devoted to proper grass selection and management, so be sure to check it out before planting new lawns in the transition zone. Picking the correct species and variety will be an important key to success.
For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at:
www.TheLawnInstitute.org.
For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at:
www.TheLawnInstitute.org.
TPI Turf News July/August 2022
For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at:
www.TheLawnInstitute.org.
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