HORTICULTURE: Know Your Turf

As climate conditions continue to shift in various parts of the country, contractors should be aware of new turf cultivars and their benefits to clients’ landscapes. “Most homeowners say they want something beautiful and dark green, but contractors need to emphasize the economics,” says Kevin Morris, executive director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program.

These economics come into play when contractors utilize drought-tolerant turf that needs less water, disease-resistant turf that needs less fertilizer and denser turf that needs reseeding less often. And these are turfgrass advancements contractors can expect to see in the near future. “There will be more emphasis on drought tolerance in grasses as droughts are more prevalent,” Morris says. “Also, with the increased use of low-quality irrigation water, more research on salt-tolerant grasses is being conducted.”

Some species that should currently be considered more often among contractors are tall fescue in the Northern states and zoysiagrass in the Southern states because of their low water and maintenance requirements and moderate shade tolerance, Morris says. And with environmentalism at the forefront of most homeowners’ minds, these grasses should be a sure sell. Below are four adaptable turfgrasses contractors can utilize in their clients’ landscapes.

1. Northeast
Species: Tall fescue
USDA Zones: 4a to 7b
Plant Type: turf

• Increasing in use due to its summer drought tolerance
• Germinates and matures a little slower than perennial ryegrass
• Poa annua contamination can be an issue
• Green in winter

2. Northwest
Species: Perennial ryegrass
USDA Zones: 4b to 6b
Plant Type: turf

• Is a fast germinator
• Makes dense, attractive turf
• Has few disease problems in mild summers
• Experiences little injury during mild winters

3. Southeast
Species: Zoysiagrass
USDA Zones: 5b to 10 (depending on variety)
Plant Type: turf

• Warm-season grass
• Requires less fertilizer than Bermudagrass
• Forms dense turf
• Dormant in winter
• Performs well in low pH soils
• Generally has the best winter tolerance of warm-season grasses

4. Southwest
Species:  Bermudagrass
USDA Zones: 6a to 10 (depending on variety)
Plant Type: turf

• Best for warm environments
• Performs well in many different soil conditions
• Drought tolerant
• Dormant in winter
• Available as sod or seed