The Best Lawn Grass for the Mid-Atlantic

Cool-Weather Grass

• Cool-season grasses are best planted in fall so that the lawn's root system has time to establish and store energy. This stored energy activates early-spring growth. Cool-weather grasses grow well when temperatures are within the 50- to 75-degree Fahrenheit range. Once weather warms, cool-weather grass stops growing and may become lackluster. Mixing perennial cool weather grass seed with heat-tolerant grass seed is one way to ensure that your lawn looks lush throughout the entire growing season. Cool-season grasses that do well in Mid-Atlantic states include Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine leaf fescue. Tall fescue cultivars like Endeavor, Daytona and Tarheel are successfully mixed with Kentucky bluegrass cultivars like Raven, Skye and Perfection. Such mixes provide a lawn with genetic diversity and disease resistance.

Warm-Weather Grass

• Since the Mid-Atlantic states are a transitional zone and sea-level areas experience warmer temperatures than areas at higher elevation, choose warm-season grasses that are suited for your micro-climate. For warmer areas, choose centipede or St. Augustine grasses. Cold-tolerant Bermuda and zoysia grasses are suited for cooler climates and higher elevations. Cultivars like Meyer zoysia grass and Shanghai Bermuda grass are planted successfully in Mid-Atlantic states. Warm-season grasses like zoysia, Bermuda and St. Augustine grass are best planted alone and not mixed with other cultivars. These monostands are planted in sod strips or plugs and will not grow from seed.

Perennial Grasses

• Unlike annual grasses that live for only one growing season, perennial grasses have longevity. Perennial grasses are slow to establish but last for years. Annual grasses are rapid growers and are often used as temporary ground cover for hard-to-seed areas. Perennial grasses, like perennial rye, are well-suited for permanent lawns in the Mid-Atlantic states. Cultivars that are successful include Inspire, Buena Vista and Divine. These varieties can also be mixed with cool-season grasses.

Considerations

• Cool-season grasses are more likely to suffer from disease and pest infestation. Using mixed seeds is a preventative measure. Although warm-season grasses are better able to withstand disease, some varieties, like St. Augustine grass, require adequate moisture and fertilizer to maintain strength and disease resistance. Before choosing a grass cultivar, assess your lawn's conditions. Pay attention to whether it receives full sun or shade and if irrigation systems will supply needed water. Consult local nurseries and master gardeners for information on successful cultivars in your specific Mid-Atlantic area.