Lawn grass: types, characteristics, how to choose and care for it

The easiest way to keep your lawn looking neat with minimal maintenance is to sow it with grass. It is an undemanding plant. In reality, however, creating a beautiful and neat lawn is not such a simple task if you are not aware of certain characteristics. Grass comes in different types: some are suitable for heavy use, others for decorative coverage. It is important to choose the right type, taking into account the characteristics of the lawn, and to care for it so that it remains thick and green for a long time.

Types of lawn grass and their characteristics

Lawn mixtures vary depending on the purpose of the site. Some types of grass are suitable for areas where people walk and even run, others grow quickly and thickly, and still others require minimal care. The main types of lawn grass:

• “Sports” lawn grasses can withstand frequent use and are suitable for soccer fields and playgrounds.
• Parterre grasses are decorative and grow into an even and thick covering. They need to be cared for especially carefully to keep the lawn looking neat.
• Versatile grasses are undemanding in terms of conditions, can be walked on, and grow into a thick “carpet.” They are suitable for summer cottages.
• Shade lawn grasses grow even with a lack of sunlight. They are ideal for areas under trees.
• Moorish lawn mixtures include flowering grasses. As a result, the flower bed looks natural, like a lawn in nature. Such grasses do not require special care.

Each type of grass has its own characteristics. Sports lawns are more often composed of meadow fescue and red fescue. These plants recover well when walked on. Ryegrass is more often used for decorative lawns. It quickly provides dense coverage.

How to choose the right type of lawn grass

The climate, soil type, and purpose of the site are taken into account when deciding what grass to sow on the territory. Drought-resistant mixtures grow better in hot regions, and frost-resistant mixtures grow better in northern regions. Choose the type of grass: dense or resistant to trampling.

What else to consider when designing a lawn with grass:

• What type of soil? Mixtures with fescue grow better in sandy soil, and fescue in clay soil.
• If the site is in the shade, it is better to sow shade-tolerant grass mixtures. If you choose a light-loving plant, there will not be enough sun. The grass may be pale and not dense.
• Will it be possible to properly care for the plants?.

If the lawn is needed simply for beauty, you can choose decorative mixtures. But if it is often walked on, played on by children or animals, it is better to opt for load-resistant options. If it is not possible to regularly care for the lawn, choose unpretentious grasses that do not grow too tall.

Lawn care

To keep the grass thick and healthy, watering, feeding, and mowing are essential. Some tasks are done several times a week, while others are done once every 10-15 days. Basic rules for grass care:

• In summer, the lawn should be watered 2-3 times a week, in the morning or evening. This is especially important if it rarely rains in your area.
• The grass is usually mowed every 7-10 days, with a cutting height of 4-6 cm.
• Aeration is needed periodically. The soil is pierced so that air can better reach the roots.
• Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring, and potassium and phosphorus fertilizers in the fall.
• Weeds are removed by hand or with herbicides, and special preparations are used to protect against insects.

Proper care helps the grass remain dense and bright green. It is especially important to monitor the lawn in spring and fall, when plants need additional nutrition and protection before wintering. If the type of grass is chosen in accordance with the characteristics of the territory, it will be easier to care for the lawn.