Turf Grasses Commonly Found in Central Ohio
Central Ohio is located where grasses classified as cool-season grasses grow best. However, because
several of these grasses do not handle high heat temperatures (above
90 degrees) well these grasses may go dormant.
Common Turf Grasses
Kentucky Bluegrass: Kentucky bluegrass is the most common cool season grass. It
is a high quality lawn, available in blends. Spreads moderately and will fill in
small bare spots that popup occasionally. Kentucky Bluegrass will go dormant
in hot, dry weather as well as during the cold winter months. Does poorly
in extremely shady areas.
No matter what climate it's growing in, Kentucky bluegrass will require
supplemental irrigation during hot, dry periods.
Fescue: The fescue species are easily seeded
and include the sub species of tall bunching grasses named tall fescue
and fine shorter fescues named creeping red, hard fescue, and chewings fescue.
All of the fescues share the same variety characteristics with the three dominant ones being shade
tolerance, staying green all year, and having good drought resistance. Fine Fescues are more cold
and shade tolerant than Tall Fescue.
Turf-type tall fescue: Turf-type tall fescue is becoming a popular turfgrass for
homes. Turf-types are more coarse than bluegrass, though not
as thick as traditional tall fescue.
The fescue is a bunch type grass, as
opposed to the rhizomatic growth of bluegrass. Newer cultivars have the
same rich green color as bluegrass.
Ryegrass: Perennial ryegrass is one of the major turfgrasses
in the northern United States. Perennial ryegrass is finer
leaved and darker green than annual.
Zoysia Grass: Zoysia grass is a warm season grass and NOT recommended for Central
Ohio lawns, yet we continue to see landscapes with Zoysiagrass. Do yourself and your neighbors a
favor and do not plant this grass. It has a very invasive root
system that will crossover into your neighbors bluegrass lawn. The bluegrass will remain green most
of the year, but the Zoysia turns brown as soon as temperatures cool and does not turn
green again until late spring. This makes your neighbors bluegrass lawn
look like it has large irregular shaped dead spots all winter and into
spring.
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