Garden Minute - Lawn Grasses

This is your Gardening Minute. 

Today let’s talk about what types of lawns can grow here in Quay County. 

An important aspect of obtaining a good lawn is to select the best adapted species and variety for your lawn. Certain grass characteristics, such as water use, climate, traffic tolerance, color, fineness, maintenance requirements and available resources are all factors that need to be considered when selecting a turf species. 

Turf grasses can be divided into two major groups - the cool-season and the warm-season grasses. 

Cool-season grasses include perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and creeping bent grass. Optimum growth of these grasses occurs within a temperature range from 60° to 70° F. They need considerably more water than warm season grasses. 

Warm season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, buffalo grass, blue grama, and St. Augustine grass grow best at temperatures between 80° and 95° and use water more efficiently. 

Both types of grasses can grow here in Quay County. Growers now have more choices of varieties that are denser, finer textured, and more drought tolerant than ever before.

If you are interested in learning more about turf grass species please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.