Lawn Mowers


Zoysiagrass

August 7th, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

ZoysiagrassThe scientific name for Zoysiagrass is Zoysia species and can be found throughout the southern United States. It forms a dense fine textured lawn that resists weeds. This grass is good in heat and drought situations making it ideal for the south. It appears to be free from disease and insect pests although billbugs may bother it. It does take a while to establish itself and does not do well in short summers or cool environments. Its main weakness is that it is very slow to establish itself especially if summers are short and cool. The blades are tough to mow if left too long and the cut grass also can build up a great deal of thatch.

Zoysiagrass

It grows slowly in the shade, but does do better than Bermuda grass. Water needs are low to medium and the same with fertilizer. Zoysiagrass only requires .3 to .5 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. It wears well and should be mowed at a height of one to two inches. Most home owners have found that it adapts best throughout the southern US.

Since it requires relatively little water compared to many other grasses, Zoysiagrass can tolerate less moisture for longer periods. You will not need to water your lawn as much as some other grasses during dry conditions.

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St Augustine Grass

July 17th, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

St Augustine GrassThe scientific name for St Augustine grass is Stenotaphrum secundatum. It is a robust and fast growing grass type, tolerates salty soil and it is also a good shade grass. One main weakness is that Chinch bugs can do considerable damage to this type of grass and it tends to also thatch badly. It is one of the best shade tolerant species compared to all of the other grass types. St Augustine grass also needs lots of water and medium to high levels of nitrogen fertilizer. From .4 to .8 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet per growing month is required. Unfortunately it does not wear very well.

St Augustine Grass

The mowing height should be from two to three inches. Mowing too low allows weeds to take hold and possibly sunburn. Mowing too high allows thatch to build up quite rapidly. It is best adapted to southern California and mild areas of the southwest and golf coast states. It does best in neutral or alkaline soils.

If thatch does build up gardeners should consider de-thatching the lawn. This will allow air and nutrients to penetrate to the roots. Some gardeners will regularly de-thatch their lawns once per year to prevent extended buildup of the thatch in the lawn.

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Dichondra

July 7th, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses 1 Comment »

DichondraDichondra micrantha is a warm-season ground cover grass type that is actually not grass. It is a broadleaf plant that makes a lush, dense and bright green carpet when properly looked after and well maintained. It requires less mowing than many other grass types and is subject to only a few disease types mainly in the southwestern United States. A variety of bugs like the Dichondra such as cutworms, flea beetles, snails, and slugs.  Once weeds invade they are difficult to get rid of. This grass type is susceptible to Alternaria in Texas and East-word. It also has better shade tolerance than Kentucky bluegrass and is generally considered to have good shade tolerance.

Dichondra Micrantha

Dichondra requires lots of water and medium to high amounts of fertilizer. Nitrogen in amounts of .5 to 1.0 pound per 1000 square feet per month. It does not wear well and cannot deal with a lot of foot traffic. Dichondra should be mowed to a few inches high in shaded areas where there is little traffic and lower in other areas, which helps to keep out the weeds.

It does well in hot conditions but does not like humid conditions or temperatures below 25 degrees F.

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Common Bermudagrass

May 21st, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

Common BermudagrassThe scientific name for common bluegrass is Cynodon Dactylon. Common Bermudagrass likes a lot of heat and will grow in most soils. It will also take a lot of abuse. As a result it is one of the most common grasses for lawns. It does not require a lot of maintenance and if you give it some tender loving care you will have a beautiful lawn. It can be considered invasive, will turn a bit brown in dry conditions or in the fall until spring arrives. Common Bermudagrass also has poor shade tolerance.

Common Bermudagrass

It is considered to be drought-tolerant and requires .5 to 1.0 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet per growing month. It wears well and tolerates traffic abuse. Home owners should keep the lawn at 3/4’s to 1.5 inches in length. Mow often to maintain a great looking lawn.

It does well in lower levels from Maryland to Florida  in the east as well as Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Many home owners use this type of grass for their lawns since it does so well with minimal maintenance. Your lawn can be the envy of all of your neighbors. Don’t be concerned if it begins to turn brown in the fall. this is natural and will look great in the spring once the temperatures warm up and moisture increases.

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Bahiagrass

May 7th, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

BahiagrassThe scientific name for Bahiagrass is Paspalum Notatum. Bahiagrass is a low maintenance grass with an extensive root system which makes it a great solution for erosion control. It can also withstand droughts better than other grass types that do not have the extensive root system. It is also considered moderately aggressive with a fair to good tolerance for shade conditions. Bahiagrass wears and should be mowed at a height of 2 to 3 inches in length.  This grass does best where there is consistent rain spread over the season, however as mentioned it can also withstand moderate drought conditions.

Bahiagrass – Weaknesses

Bahiagrass provides a coarse open type of lawn. It grows fast. This grass must be mowed often to show a nice manicured lawn. Some consumers would consider it a weed if it were to appear in other types of grasses or lawns. It sometimes will turn slightly yellow due to chlorosis. This type of grass also  suffers from dollar spot and attracts moles and crickets.

It has a medium need for fertilizer  with .5 pounds of fertilizer per 1000 square feet of lawn per growing month. This type of grass adapts well in infertile sandy soil conditions. It is typically found in the central coastal areas of North Carolina, eastern Texas and also popular in Florida.

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Turf Type Perennial Ryegrass

April 21st, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses 1 Comment »

Turf Type Perennial RyegrassTurf Type Perennial Ryegrass is a cool season grass with a scientific name of Lolium perenne. This type of grass is a fast germinating and fast establishment type of grass. It is a great type of grass to mix with other types such as fine fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Mows more cleanly than other types of grass and has improved heat tolerance and cold tolerances.  Very good lawn to withstand a lot of traffic. Perennial Ryegrass may suffer from winter kill in colder climates. Since it grows so well, it can overpower other grasses. Particularly if it has more than a 20% mix of seed types.

Turf Type Perennial Ryegrass

It has medium shade tolerance and needs lots of water. Fertilizer requirements are .3 to .5 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn per growing month.

It mows very well and should be cut between one and two inches. Turf Type Perennial Ryegrass does well in coastal regions with mild winters and cool moist summers.

Many hardware stores carry a variety of grass types that typically do well in the areas they serve. If in doubt, discuss your needs with one of the experts at the store. Be sure to describe your location, especially if there is a micro climate in the area you live in.

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Annual Ryegrass Italian Ryegrass

April 7th, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

Annual RyegrassAnnual Ryegrass is a cool-season grass whose scientific name is Lolium multiflorum. This type of grass germinates very fast and as a result, quickly establishes itself. Some gardeners will use this grass type as a temporary planting to have a quick lawn. This type of grass will last for one year only and does not tolerate cold or heat very well. It can also grow in clumps that do not make for a nice looking lawn. It has a relatively poor to medium shade tolerance and also needs lots of water to keep it growing and looking healthy.

Annual Ryegrass – Fertilizer

You should plan on .3 to .5 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet per growing month. This will keep the grass healthy for the season. Gardeners can mow this grass to a height of 1.5 to 2 inches in height, longer during dry conditions.

This type of grass is not recommended if you want that golf course smooth green look to your lawn. Annual Ryegrass does not mow cleanly and as mentioned only lasts for one year at the most. In areas where summer grass is replaced by winter grass, ryegrass is sometimes used to create a quick lawn to be replaced later by permanent grass.

 

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Tall Fescue

March 21st, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses 3 Comments »

Tall FescueTall fescue is a cool season grass with the scientific name – Festuca arundinacea. Tall Fescue is a tough grass that can withstand lots of traffic and play. It can also withstand some diseases  and has insect resistance. Tall Fescue is green all year and acts as a good transition grass from one zone to another. Many consumers will confuse if with crabgrass and visa versa. Crabgrass dies off in the fall after releasing seeds. You can tell the difference very quickly as crabgrass dies off. One of the disadvantages is that it tends to clump and will dominate other grasses. If this is a concern you may not want to use this particular grass type.

Tall Fescue – Water and Fertilizer Needs

Shade tolerance is good. It also has good drought tolerance as well with deep roots and a clumping style as mentioned. Fertilizer should be applied at a rate of .1 to .5 pounds per 1000 square feet during the growing season. This grass wears well in the spring and fall when it is growing quickly, however less so in the summer during dryer periods.

Mow high at a level of 2 to 3 inches. It does well in cool seasons while also having he ability to tolerate heat conditions.

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Creeping Red Fescue

February 21st, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

Creeping Red FescueThe scientific name for creeping red fescue is Festuca Rubra Rubra. It is often used as a component of bluegrass mixture blending well and supporting bluegrass. This Fescue grows well in shade conditions and also in drought conditions. It has a fine texture with a deep green color, preferred by many gardeners and homeowners. Its weakness is that it is susceptible to summer stress in moist fertile soils. It does very well in cooler seasons in dry shady areas. As a result, it has good drought tolerance. Let it grow a little longer and thicker during dry periods and the creeping red fescue grass will do very well keeping your lawn green looking over the dry period.

Creeping Red Fescue – Water Needs

It has good drought tolerance as previously mentioned and has low to medium fertilizer needs. Spread between .1 and .5 pounds over 1000 square feet to maintain a great looking lawn. It is slow to recover if damaged and does not do well if there is a lot of foot traffic. Mowing height should be 1.5 to 2.5 inches, longer during dry conditions.

This particular grass type is best adapted in the great lakes region, where summers are cool in higher elevations and coastal regions.

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Hard Fescue

February 7th, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

hard fescue The scientific name for hard Fescue is Festuca ovina yar! It has improved tolerance to many other types of fine Fescues. Hard fescue can tolerate heat, drought, leaf spot, and dollar spot much better than many other grass types. It has one weakness compared to other types of fescue and that is that it is slower to establish itself compared to other grasses. Hard fescue also does well in shady areas provided that there is good drainage. Overly wet conditions do not help the grass, in fact, it does not do well in these conditions. It really does prefer dry conditions and has good drought tolerance.

Hard Fescue – Fertilizer Needs

The amount of fertilizer needed by this grass type is relatively low at .1 to .3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn. Fertilizer should be applied once per month for optimum results.

It does well for wearability, however, a path should be created if a walking path is needed. Mowing height should be from 1 inch to 2.5 inches in height. this grass type also does well when summer nighttime temperatures are moderate. Regular watering also helps in severe drought conditions.

This type of grass can also do well in shady areas. Allow it to grow longer in dry conditions to provide shade protection for the roots and prevent the grassroots from drying out and the ground from also drying out.

 

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Chewing Fescue

January 21st, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

Chewing FescueThe scientific name for Chewing Fescue is festuca rubra var commutata. It is a cool season grass for northern areas and cool or moist climates. Chewing Fescue can tolerate close mowing in cool climate situations with sufficient moisture. It does not do well in dry or drought conditions. Let it grow longer during dry periods to preserve the ground moisture and help it withstand the dryer periods.  It also does well in mixtures of Kentucky bluegrass and other blends. It is also susceptible to leaf spot and as mentioned does not do well in drought conditions.

Chewing Fescue – Shade Tolerance

Does not do well in full hot sun, shade situations provide better protection. Water need is low in these conditions.  Fertilizer requirements are low to medium with .1 to .5 pounds per 1000 square feet required. each growing month. In terms of we-arability it can form clumps and provide a lumpy covering.  Consumers should mow this grass from 1 to 2 and a half inches in height, longer if under dry conditions.

Some growers will use a blend of Chewing Fescue and other grasses depending on their conditions of full sun and shade requirements. As your lawn requirements change, trees mature, shrubs become a little more overgrown, your grass type may also change. Reacting to the amount of sunlight, the water conditions will ensure that you continue to have a great looking lawn.

Cutting your lawn so that it remains a little longer in the middle of the summer when there is less rain and more evaporation will help it to be stronger and survive through dry conditions without having to apply a lot of water. Monitor your grass and the soil underneath to keep track of the moisture levels to ensure a healthy looking lawn.

For moe information about different types of grasses we have in our lawns, click here.

 

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Rough Bluegrass

January 7th, 2016 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses No Comments »

Rough BluegrassRough Bluegrass is a cool season grass and goes by the scientific name of Poa Trivialis. It grows best in wet shady areas and is most often used in shady lawn conditions where it tolerates shade well.  One of the weaknesses is that it has a shallow root system and is easily dislodged. It also does not do well in drought conditions, especially with a shallow root system. It can also contaminate Kentucky bluegrass varieties in sunny locations. If you have a lawn with lots of shade from trees or other structures, then this could be the right grass type for your lawn if you live in the northern states or southern Canada.

Rough Bluegrass – Water Needs

This grass type needs lots of water and especially during dry seasons or drought conditions. The roots are shallow and will quickly dry out as the top surface of the soil dries out. You will need to water often.

Fertilizer needs are low to medium at .3 to .5 pounds per 1000 square feet per growing month. Wearability is poor due to the shallow root system and moist conditions. It will quickly deteriorate under dry conditions.  Mowing height is 1 to 2 inches, however, if kept longer it will prevent some evaporation especially in dry conditions.

Consumers can use this type of grass in shady areas. Especially if there is a lot of forest trees surrounding the property. The trees will also reduce the amount of evaporation as well which will protect the grass to some degree. We also suggest that high traffic areas be replaced with walkways of some kind to prevent an unsightly area forming of poor or dead grass. Various landscaping techniques can be used to find the right blend of Rough Bluegrass, shrubs, and walkways in these moist shady areas.

For more posts about different types of grasses, click here.

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Creeping Bentgrass

December 21st, 2015 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses 2 Comments »

Creeping BentgrassCreeping Bentgrass is another cool season grass. The scientific name is Agrostis Palustris. Creeping Bentgrass os the choice for most golf courses in cooler climates. It is used for putting greens, lawn bowling, and similar applications. It is meant to be mowed very low and needs lots of water as a result. This grass has poor drought tolerance since there is little protection from evaporation from the low cut grass. It does well in full sun as long as you provide lots of water.

Creeping Bentgrass – Weaknesses

If you do not mow this type of grass low, it will build up an extensive layer of thatch. It is susceptible to disease. However good care will minimize the opportunity for disease to take hold.

It should be well fertilize with .5 to 1 pound of nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 square feet. It wears well as it should if it is to be used on a golf course. However golf course managers will move the hole often to manage the foot traffic in various areas.

Creeping Bentgrass will grow well in moist areas of the northern parts of the US and southern areas of Canada. It is used extensively in the pacific northwest and the northeastern pars of the continent.

This is not a grass type for consumers. It takes far too much care, water and fertilizer for most consumers to deal with. Constant watering, non drought resistant and constant mowing to keep the grass length low is a little too much work for most consumers. It is popular on golf courses as mentioned earlier and lawn bowling fields.

If you do not live in a moist area with lots of rain, this type of grass may not be the best choice for your lawn or for your golf course.

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Kentucky Bluegrass

December 7th, 2015 ernie Posted in Types of Grasses 1 Comment »

Kentucky BluegrassKentucky Bluegrass is a cool season grass and goes by the scientific name – Poa Praternis.  It is easy to grow in locations where it has adapted, with high resistance to diseases such as leaf spot, strip smut and summer patch. The seed is relatively inexpensive and can be found at most home stores in areas where it is commonly grown. It can suffer from summer heat, if not watered and if mowed too often. The stronger types of Kentucky Bluegrass usually requires higher maintenance such as more fertilizer, de-thatching and watering if cut short.

Kentucky Bluegrass – Shade Tolerance

Shade tolerance varies depending on the type of bluegrass. Some will have a higher tolerance to shade. The typically need quite a bit of water and will recover from drought like conditions. Some of the newer types of Kentucky Bluegrass are in fact drought sensitive.

The amount of fertilizer needed depends on the soil types. Typically you should apply between .4 to .8 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 square feet. The grass wears relatively well, however like all grasses, heavy traffic will be detrimental to the grass. Kentucky Bluegrass should be mowed when it is 1 and half inches to 3 inches in height. Aim for 3 inches during dry periods to reduce moisture loss. It is best adapted to the north-eastern states, Canada, and  the mountains.

Like all grasses, if mowed too short, excessive moisture loss can occur causing the grass and roots to stress. The grass can recover from drought like conditions. However you are better to allow the grass to grow longer, provide more shade for the roots and to reduce the overall moisture loss. With the long wide blades of Kentucky Bluegrass, it will do well with watering  weekly in dry conditions.

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