Choosing the correct turfgrass species for a paticular site is the basis for a successful lawn. One must chose a species that will produce a turf that is not only suitable for site conditions, but also suitable for the site use and intended level of management. A single lawn can pose a diversity of growing condtions. In most cases a mixture (2 or more different species), a blend (2 or more cultivars of the same species), or both, is necessary due to variations in sunlight, soil conditions, and turfgrass use on a particular site. Ohio also receives a wide range of weather conditions. During paticular periods of weather certain species and cultivars are able to perform better than others.
Suggested Turfgrass Species
There are many turfgrasses used for lawn establishment throughout the world, but only several applicable for use in Central Ohio. Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Turf Type Tall Fescue, and Red Fine fescue are the most practical for use. Each have different attributes, which determines their suitability for sites and management intentions.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Many consider Kentucky Bluegrass to be the most high quality of turfgrass to be used on a residential lawn. It likes well drained, but moist fertile soils. It is known for its deep color and fine leaf blade. The fine leaf texture allows a good quality cut when mowed. Bluegrass is rhizomous, which allows for a spreading turf and excellent recuperative potential. It has good winter,drought and wear tolerance, but does not like shade. During any extensive dry periods, Bluegrass typically goes dormant.
Germination and establishment are typically slow(10-28 day germination period), this may prove troublesome in spring seedings when many weeds are at their optimum growth rate. The seeding rate of Bluegrass is 1-2 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. Once established Bluegrass will require moderate to high management practices wtih fertilization rates ranging from 2-6 lbs. N per 1000 sq. ft. per year. Its desired pH is 6.2-7.2.
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass is well known for its rapid establishment. It likes well drained fertile soils. Perennial Rye is not to be confused with Annual Ryegrass which has no use in turf applications. Ryegrass has poor cold tolerance with only slightly better tolerances to drought, shade, wear and disease. It is a clump type grass with no spreading characteristics, but has decent recuperative potential. Due to its leaf texture it does not have a very good quality of cut when mowed. It is important to keep the mower blades sharp when cutting this turf. Great strides have been made in developing improved cultivars of Perennial Ryegrass. Some closely mimic those characteristics evidenced in Kentucky Bluegrass
Perennial Rye has rapid germination (3-7 days) and establishment. Its seeding rate is 4-8 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. Fertilization should be somewhat less than and pH requirements similiar to Kentucky Blue.
Turf Type Tall Fescue
Turf Type Tall Fescue is probably the best adapted and most suitable turfgrass for Central Ohio. It is not only popular on lawns, but because of its excellent wear tolerance and low maintenance requirements it is commonly used in parks, and athletic fields. Turf Type Tall Fescue is an improved cultivar of Tall Fescue developed for turfgrass establishment and should not be confused with "Kentucky 31" or other unimproved varieties. Turf Type is a clump form grass, but has an extensive, deep root system, which permits excellent drought and heat tolerance. During dry periods when Kentucky Bluegrass is typically brown, Turf Type Tall Fescue is able to retain its green color. Turf Type has good disease,pest, cold and shade tolerance and is able to subsist in soils of low fertility. Turf Type also has had continuing development of cultivars with constant improvements.
Turf Type Tall Fescue has a fairly quick germination (5-15 days) and establishment. Its seeding rate is 7-10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. and fertilization 1-5 lbs N per 1000 sq. ft. per year.
Fine Fescue
Fine Fescue is named for its fine leaf blade. It performs exceptionally well in shade and is able to thrive in soils of low fertility and pH. Fine Fescue (Red, Hard, and Chewings) is susceptible to overwatering and overfertilization. It is most successful on drier well drained soils. It does not typically do well alone making its most common use in turfgrass mixtures intended for low maintenance, and shaded sites.
Fine Fescue has a similiar germination to that of Turf Type Tall Fescue (5-15 days). Its seeding rate is 3-5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. and fertilization rate of 0.5-4 lbs. N per 1000sq. ft. per year.
The following are some seed mixes sold by LESCO, INC.
Great Lakes Hydroseed Mix
20% Allsport Perennial Rye
20% Prosport Perennial Rye
30% Creeping Red Fescue
30% Kentucky Bluegrass
Great Lakes Turf Seed Mix
25% Allsport Perennial Rye
20% Line Drive Perennial Rye
20% Shamrock KBG
20 % Hallmark KBG
15% Shademark CRF
Great Lakes Utility Seed Mix
75% K31 or Fawn Tall Fescue
25% Williamsburg Perennial Rye
Great Lakes Quick Grow Seed Mix
30% Allsport Perennial Rye
30% Kentucky Bluegrass
20% Annual Ryegrass
20% Creeping Red Fescue
Great Lakes Premium Seed
20% Shamrock KBG
20% Lakeshore KBG
20% Kentucky Bluegrass
20% Wilmington Perennial Rye
20% Prosport Perennial Rye
Great Lakes Shade Seed Mix
40% Defiant Hard Fescue
40% Midway Intermediate Rye
20% Creeping Red Fescue
OSU Extension Factsheet on Cultivar Selection
OSU Extension Factsheet on Species Selection
OSU Extension Bulletin on Turfgrass Mixtures
Once a turfgrass has been chosen a good quality seed must be selected by carefully reading the label attached to the seed bag.
Seed Label
The seed label contains much information and is in many ways similiar to the label found on food items. Seed companys are required to inform the consumer of what is actually contained in their bag of seed
Information Contained On Label
1) Producer Company Name and Address
2) Seed Mixture Analysis-lists percent composition of seed species/cultivar contained in mix and seed/cultivar percent germination
3) Other Ingredients-lists percent composition of crop seed, inert matter, and weed seed.
4) Lot Number
5) Test Date
See an Example of a LESCO, INC. Seed Label
Germination % X Purity %/ 100 = % Pure Live seed
How to determine rates of seed, fertilizer, and mulch according to seed type and area
How to establish a seed bed, and methods of seeding and mulching