5 Questions To Ask Before Buying Lawn Grass

You must buy grass before you can put in a new lawn. Don't opt for any type of grass, take some time to consider what variety will thrive in your yard.

1. What is the purpose of the lawn?

Not all residential lawns receive the same treatment. Some grass is mainly for looking at, while other homes take full advantage of the lawn as a place for recreation and entertainment. Whether you have outdoor pets that use the lawn is also a concern. Purely ornamental lawns can fair well with more delicate grass varieties that look lovely but don't do well with traffic, while a heavily used lawn needs more resilient grass.

2. Is low maintenance a priority?

For those that enjoy spending a lot of time working about in the yard, a bit of extra maintenance for the grass may not be a big deal. For others, the ideal grass is one that requires little more than weekly watering and periodic mowing, possibly with a fertilizer treatment a couple of times each year. Another reason to look for lower maintenance grasses is cost, as fertilizer and lawn care expenses will be lower with fewer care needs.

3. What are the main climate concerns?

Your local climate plays one of the most important roles in the decision on lawn grass. In areas with hot summers and freezing winters, you need grass that can survive drought as well as provide dormant frost tolerance. Cool, damp climates need grasses that thrive in lower temperatures and aren't prone to the fungal problems that thrive in wet weather. Purchasing grass locally helps ensure that it is suited to your climate.

4. Does the lawn receive full sunlight?

Some lawn grasses require full sun for the majority of the day in the growing season, or they will turn yellow and grow poorly. Others survive better when they receive some shade, ideally in the hottest part of the day. If your lawn has both shaded and sunny areas, it may make sense to opt for a grass blend that combines both sun-loving and shade-surviving grass types.

5. How will the lawn be irrigated?

Your irrigation choices may be dependent on your region. If you plan to depend on natural rainfall and minimal watering, then choose a grass that can handle brief periods of drought. In dry climates, particularly those where water restrictions are often in place, a highly drought-tolerant grass is needed. You may also want a grass that better tolerates dry conditions if you water by hand as opposed to using a timed automatic system.

Contact a nursery to learn more about local grass varieties.

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