Types of Grass Used on Local Football Fields

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

• Kentucky bluegrass forms a dense sod for football fields since it spreads by rhizomes and tillers. It is cold tolerant. The new shoots form in the spring and late summer, making a tough turf to withstand the damage football does in late fall and winter. It is cold-hardy, soft-textured and dark green in color.

Fescue (Festuca longifolia)

• Fescue is a very cold tolerant, low maintenance grass. It will tolerate soils that are sandy, acidic and infertile. This is a good choice for football fields when mixed with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass since it has greater shade and drought tolerance.

Ryegrass, perennial (Lolium perenne)

• Perennial ryegrass is a good choice for football fields since it has a fine soft texture and the dark green color of Kentucky bluegrass. It also has a massive rootzone and well developed sod.

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)

• Bermuda grass is very adaptable to high heat and drought tolerant. This makes is a great candidate for football turf in warm climates. It is tough and fast growing, which makes it a very popular grass for sports fields. It forms a thick sod in the rootzone. Bermuda will not tolerate shade and it goes dormant and browns in cooler weather.

Zoysia grass (Zoysia species)

• Zoysia grass is wiry but fine textured, making it a great candidate for football fields when combined with Bermuda grass. Zoysia grass is tough and resilient enough to withstand the rough sport of football. It grows best in warm climates and goes dormant in cool weather.