Any hobbyist knows that well tended flower beds, neatly trimmed hedges, and properly pruned shrubs and trees are the hallmarks of a respectable gardener. Interestingly, it is a virtually flawless lawn that separates the weekend warrior from the serious hobbyist. While the former might see the lawn as an afterthought to other garden chores, the latter embraces it as the focal point. Much like a jeweler, this gardener sees flowerbeds and hedges as little more than the setting for the crown jewel: a lush, green lawn. If you belong to this select group, you know that only the best lawn seed for your garden will do. Do you know where to find it?
Best Lawn Seed for Your Garden – Cold Weather Climates
If you make your home in one of the states known for cold weather, the best lawn seed for your garden will be bluegrass, fescue, or ryegrass. These varieties actually welcome the cooler weather and grow in temperatures as low as 5 °C. Bluegrass is hardy and thick, and covers the ground without thatching. Not surprisingly, golf courses usually employ Kentucky bluegrass to cover their sprawling hills and valleys. When you consider the kind of foot traffic an average golf course experiences – and also the wear and tear on the grass that the game of golf demands – bluegrass is a great variety to consider, especially if you have children in the home.
Fescue is a bit more delicate, but just as hardy. While it may be one of the best lawn seed for your garden in colder climates, it can wreak havoc with your sinuses if you suffer from hay fever, and you might want to think twice about adding it to your garden, if this is a consideration. It is interesting to note that ryegrass also features this problem.
Best Lawn Seed for Your Garden – Warm Weather Climates
Growing a lawn in warm season climates relies on a different mix of seeds altogether. Known as warm weather grasses, their growth does not start until temperatures of at least 10 °C are reached; as a matter of fact, if the temperature reaches thrice that number, the grass with thrive! The most famous seeds in this class are Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass.
Bermuda grass is somewhat drought resistant, which makes it perfect for the warmer states that suffer from water shortages and where watering restrictions are in effect. On the downside, this kind of grass quickly takes over flowerbeds, if not properly clipped and tended. You may find that in some cases it may be more persistent than a weed. Since the growth pattern allows for the grass to continue growing, even if there are bald areas of destroyed grass, this is a good choice for a much used lawn that is frequently reseeded. St. Augustine grass seed is excellent for the southeastern states, where the climate is tropical. The resulting lawn is very thick and hard for weeds to invade.
When choosing the best lawn seed for your garden, the best approach to take is that of the seasoned landscaper, who adjusts plant selection by temperature zone first, and proposed use second. When following this bit of advice, you simply cannot go wrong in your selection of lawn grass.
