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Turf Grass in the Backyard

Consider how you want to use the backyards when picking a grass. All grass varieties handle foot traffic differently. Bermudagrass has an excellent wear tolerance, but centipede grass performs poorly with wear and tear, according to Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Other considerations are climate, lifestyle and soil type.

  1. Climate

    • There are two main grass categories: cool season and warm season. Cool season grass is typically planted in the Northern United States. Types include fescue and ryegrass. Warm season grass grows extensively in Southern regions. This grass type thrives in hot temperatures and drought conditions. Bermudagrass, St. Augustine, Bahiagrass, centipede and carpetgrass are examples. Planting the wrong type of grass for your region results in thinning lawns or dead grass.

    Maintenance

    • Consider how much time and effort you want to devote to your lawns before planting. Certain lawn types have few growing requirements other than weekly mowing and watering. These types include Bahiagrass, centipede and carpet grass. Other grass types like zoysiagrass, tall fescue and Bermudagrass, have high-to-moderate maintenance levels, according to Clemson University Cooperative Extension. St. Augustine grass must be kept watered during droughts to prevent grass discoloration and wilting.

    Soil

    • Know your backyard's soil type. Most grass grows in loamy soils. Loam consists of silt, clay and sand. Grab a handful of dirt in the yard and squeeze. Soil that is malleable in the hand is loam. Sandy soils are common in coastal regions or around bodies of water. Tall fescue, creeping red fescue and hard fescue perform well in sand, according to Julie Day from Danny Lipford. Clay soil is more difficult to manage than the other two types, because it has poor draining abilities. Incorporate organic matter, such as compost, into the soil before planting grass, according to Fine Gardening.

    Planting

    • Plant warm-season grass in the spring after the soil warms. Plant cool-season grass in the fall. Planting cool-season grass in the spring means lost seedlings and grass during the heat of summer. Plant your backyard with seed, sod, sprigs or plugs. Seeding is the most cost-effective way to achieve lush grass, but it takes time to spread. Sodding is expensive but establishes a lawn within hours. Sprigs and plugs take longer to spread into dense turf.

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Growing Grass
  1. Turf Grass and Soil Fertility
  2. The Effects of Sugar on Grass
  3. Turf Grass Diseases & Bad Tilling
  4. The Effects of Lime on Grass Production
  5. When to Seed Grass in the Fall
  6. What Is the Best PH in Soil for Most Turf Grasses?
  7. The Germination of Grass Seeds
  8. Why Turf Grass Needs to Be Fertilized
  9. How to Select Turf Grass
  10. The Best Way to Seed Grass
  11. The Best Soil for Grass Seed
  12. The Best Soil Mix for Turf Grass

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