Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass,     Kentucky Bluegrass & Zoysiagrass

 Creeping Bentgrass & Bermudagrass

 Recommended Plant Tissue Test Packages

Tall Fescue 

   The fescues are cool season grasses that are adapted to the transition zone and into Canada. The fescue species are easily seeded and include the sub species of tall bunching grasses named tall fescue and fine shorter fescues named creepiong red, hard, chewings and sheep fescue. 

   All of the fescues share the same variety of characteristics with the dominant ones being shade tolerant. Tall fescue grasses exhibit a high tolerance to sun light, have a moderate tolerance to traffic, exceptional upright growth habit, good seedling vigor, exceptional green color, does not thin out at a low cutting height 1/2 - 21/2 inches, outstanding performance in the transitional climatic zone and exceptional fall density.

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Perennial Ryegrass 

   Ryegrasses were brought to the United States from Europe and are now grown and planted throughout the country. These bunch grasses have 2 types; annual and perennial. They are not to be confused with each other, if planted as a pure strain the annual has to be planted each year where the perennial when used as a pure strain is permanent. 

   Turf quality perennials are popular with Turf Agronomists for overseeding quality Bermuda lawns, golf areas and sports fields. Most golf course greens today are overseeded with perennial for primary winter cover.

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Kentucky Bluegrass 

   Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the most common cool season grasses. It spreads moderately and will fill in bare spots. Goes dormant in hot, dry weather as well as during cold winter months. Does poorly in extremely shady areas. Not recommended for extremely hot climates and will require supplemental irrigation during hot, dry periods. 

   Bluegrass seed-blends that include perennial ryegrass, produce a tougher wearing lawn, and with the addition of creeping red fescue, the lawn will tolerate shadier areas. 

   Bluegrass develops a shallow root system that is not very drought tolerant, but will go dormant during extreme conditions. It spreads by rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense sod. New shoots are produced primarily in the spring and late summer.

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Zoysiagrass 

   Zoysiagrass, a warm season turfgrass species with a moderately narrow leaf blade. With favorable environmental conditions, and with proper management, Zoysiagrass will form an extremely dense, upright, green turf. Zoysiagrass is equipped with both rhizomes and stolons and spreads slowly over time. Attributes of zoysiagrass include a relatively slow leaf growth rate, resistance to many diseases and insects, adaptation to all types of soils, and a lower water requirement than most other types of grasses. 

   The ideal time to establish zoysiagrass is between mid-May to the first of July. Establised zoysiagrass thrives best under a minimal fertilization program. One fertilization in early June is usually adequate. The fertilizer ratio is approximately 4-1-2 and should not exceed 1 lb of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. 

   The accumulation of thatch is the most serious problem to overcome. Although zoysiagrass grows relatively slow thatch development is fairly rapid. Thatch control should begin before thatch accumulation reaches ½ inch. 

   Pest and disease are rarely a problem, if one does exist it may be because of a management deficiency such as an accumulation of thatch or over fertilization.

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