Virginia Grass Seeds
Learn more about the types of grasses used most in Virginia lawns
By Laura Honsinger
Learn more about the types of grasses used most in Virginia lawns
By Laura Honsinger
Virginia has a pretty broad spectrum of weather changes throughout the year so nailing down a grass that will work in all seasons is a little tricky. However, here are a few of the most popular grasses used for lawns (and other areas) in the great state of VA:
Don’t let the name fool you, Kentucky bluegrass does great in Virginia and doesn’t involve a banjo. With a medium to fine leaf and a lovely green color, this grass is used in many different settings including parks, athletic fields, and home lawns. It is tolerant to the cold, excellent for wear-and-tear, and pretty good at dealing with heat and drought when it becomes semi-dormant. It recovers well from dormancy when the weather changes and the ground is properly saturated with water.
Yellowish-green in color, the rough bluegrass has soft leaf blades with a boat bow-shaped tip. It is hardy in the winter and can handle lots of shade if properly watered. It is also better for looking, not touching… this is not the best grass for lots of activity. While it can really thrive in the winter, heat can be rough for the aesthetics of this cool season lawn grass- it turns brown and looks dead in the summer.
Dark green in color, rye grass is great for lawns, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields so it can handle some wear. However, the root system is not as complex and strong as the Kentucky bluegrass so recuperation from wear is more of a regrowth than resilience. Because it germinates quickly, it’s often used to patch damaged lawns. Be sure if you are mixing grass seeds to only use about 20% or less of the ryegrass as it is a fierce and aggressive competitor when it comes to cohabitation.
There are different types of fine fescue. In general, their narrow leaves make this grass suitable for lawns, grounds and parks but not so much for active areas. It is low maintenance and does well in cool weather but fails in heat & humidity and soils that are not well-drained. They do become semi-dormant during high heat and drought and tend to recover quickly with cooler temps and properly watered soil.
This grass seed is best used alone as it competes with other grasses and won’t grow in a uniform carpet, instead it will bunch up and become patchy. It’s not great for recovery from wear. But it does well in heat and drought as it has a deep root system. Not ideal for shaded areas and thrives best in well-drained soils.
Warm season grass – goes dormant during cold weather and turns brown, mostly used for home lawns. It is sturdy and has a strong root system but can spread into areas where it’s not wanted. This is best for southern areas of the state based on its preference for moderate moisture levels, soils with lots of lime, well-drained soils, and short growing season.
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