- Warm-Season vs. Cool-Season Grasses<\/a><\/li>
- Cool-Season Grasses for Maryland<\/a><\/li>
- Warm-Season Grasses for Maryland<\/a><\/li>
- When to Plant Grass Seed in Maryland<\/a><\/li>
- How to Choose Grass Seed<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Warm-Season vs. Cool-Season Grasses<\/h2>
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Maryland\u2019s climate supports both cool-season and warm-season grass types. Cool-season grasses grow steadily in the spring and fall. Some cultivars may go dormant<\/a>, turning brown, in the summer, depending on the temperatures. <\/p>
On the other hand, warm-season grasses grow most actively in the late spring and summer. They stop growing in the late fall and go dormant through the winter. <\/p>
Cool-Season Grasses for Maryland<\/h2>
Cool-season varieties<\/a> prefer temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They grow best in the Appalachian Mountain region in Western Maryland. Popular cultivars include: <\/p>
Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"hand](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Tall fescue
Photo Credit: Aaron J. Patton, Ph.D.<\/a> \/ Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Purdue University<\/figcaption><\/figure>Tall fescue is recommended for most Maryland lawns. It is established in one to two weeks and has strong heat, drought, and foot-traffic tolerance. Unfortunately, it can be prone to pests and diseases. It also grows rapidly, so its maintenance needs are high. However, it produces a resilient, dark green lawn that can handle partial shade. <\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Drought resistance:<\/strong> High<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Grows fast, so plan to mow quite a bit.<\/li>
- Mowing height: <\/strong>2-4 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease and pests:<\/strong> Moderate to high<\/li>
- Soil pH:<\/strong> 5.5-6.5<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Well-draining and fertile but will tolerate a wider range of soil conditions<\/li> <\/ul>
Other notes:<\/strong> Reseed every few years to repair bare spots and thinning.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend<\/a> (5000 sq ft)
\u2013 Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix<\/a> (7 lb.) <\/p>Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kentucky-Bluegrass.jpg\")
Kentucky Bluegrass
Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Kentucky bluegrass is a high-maintenance grass. It needs regular watering and is susceptible to diseases. It also requires full sun to grow densely. However, many homeowners consider it worth growing. It produces a dense, soft lawn in a unique emerald green color that will be the envy of the neighborhood.<\/p>
- Classification: <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Low to moderate \u2014 prefers full sun<\/li>
- Drought resistance:<\/strong> Moderate, but will survive by going dormant<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>Low to moderate, but recuperates well<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Moderate mowing frequency; a high-maintenance grass<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-3 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease:<\/strong> Moderate to high<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6-7<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Good drainage, fertile<\/li> <\/ul>
Other notes: <\/strong>Under ideal conditions, it produces a dense lawn. Many of its traits vary widely by cultivar, with newer cultivars generally being hardier and more disease-resistant. It\u2019s most often mixed with other species, such as tall fescue, in home lawns.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed<\/a> (3 lbs.)
\u2013 SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Jacklin Seed – Biltmore Blue Blend – 100% Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a> (5 lbs.)<\/p>Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Perennial-Ryegrass-1.jpg\")
Perennial Ryegrass
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Perennial Ryegrass is worth growing if you have a sunny lawn, as it thrives in full sun. Because it\u2019s susceptible to diseases, it is commonly used in seed mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescue.<\/p>
This fast-growing turfgrass germinates rapidly, making it a great choice for fall overseeding or fast lawn repairs. It also recovers quickly from damage. <\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Shade tolerance:<\/strong> Low \u2014 prefers full sun<\/li>
- Drought resistance:<\/strong> Low (summer dormancy in some areas)<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> High, but has poor recuperative ability<\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Moderate mowing requirement, depending on cutting height (lower cutting heights require more frequent mowing)<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 2-3 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease and pests:<\/strong> Moderate to high<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5-7.5<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Well-draining, highly fertile<\/li> <\/ul>
Other notes:<\/strong> Most often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue in a cool-season mix.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed<\/a> (choose your size)<\/p>Fine Fescue (Festuca arundinacea<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Fine-fescue-grass.jpg\")
Fine fescue
Photo Credit: Aaron J. Patton, Ph.D.<\/a> \/ Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Purdue University<\/figcaption><\/figure>If you have a shady lawn, fine fescue<\/a> is a great choice because of its high shade tolerance. Additionally, it\u2019s low-maintenance, so it doesn\u2019t need much mowing, watering, or fertilizing. However, it doesn\u2019t tolerate foot traffic well, so if you plan on having kids and pets run wild on your lawn, this isn\u2019t the right grass for you.<\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type grasses with one exception: creeping red fescues possess rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Drought resistance: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Low to moderate<\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low mowing frequency<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 1.5-3 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease and pests: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5-6.5<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Good drainage is a must; tolerates infertile soils; sandy soils generally work well<\/li> <\/ul>
Other notes: <\/strong>Often used in a mix with other cool-season grasses, especially in sun\/shade mixes.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed<\/a> (choose your size)
\u2013 Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (25 lbs.)
\u2013 Outsidepride Hard Fine Fescue Grass Seed<\/a> (10 lbs.) <\/p>Warm-Season Grasses for Maryland<\/h2>
Warm-season grasses<\/a> grow best in temperatures between 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They fare best in the Piedmont Plateau or Atlantic Coast regions in Southern, Central, and Eastern Maryland. Common varieties include: <\/p>
Zoysiagrass (Zoysia<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_1280px-starr-070906-8519-zoysia_sp-turf-kula_ace_hardware_and_nursery-maui_24264641643.jpg\")
Zoysiagrass
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0 US<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Zoysiagrass is a low-maintenance grass that thrives in full sun. It\u2019s drought-, shade-, traffic-, and disease-tolerant, making it a popular choice for Maryland homeowners. Plus, it only needs one application of fertilizer a year in June. Additionally, it takes two to three years to fully establish, but once it does, it forms a beautiful, cushiony lawn.<\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/li>
- Drought tolerance: <\/strong>High \u2013 although it needs supplemental watering during dry periods<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/li>
- Recommended mowing height: <\/strong>1-2.5 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease and pests:<\/strong> Moderate (common diseases include fairy rings, dollar spot, brown patch, powdery mildew, pythium blight, rust, large patch, spring dead spot, leaf spot, root decline, chinch bugs, Zoysiagrass mites, and mole crickets)<\/li>
- Soil pH<\/strong>: 6-6.5<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Grows in most soil types but prefers well-drained soils<\/li> <\/ul>
Other notes: <\/strong>Homeowners who love hosting BBQ parties in their yards prefer this grass variety because of its foot traffic tolerance.<\/p>
Grass Plug and Seed Options:
<\/strong>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Large Grass Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs <\/a>(100 Plugs)
\u2013 Zoysia Emerald Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)
\u2013 Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/p>Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"bermudagrass](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/bermudagrass.jpg\")
Bermudagrass<\/em>
Photo Credit: CDH_Design<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Bermudagrass is a high-maintenance grass, but it is incredibly resilient. It loves the sun and high temperatures. It is also drought-tolerant and fast-growing. Unfortunately, bermudagrass requires frequent mowing (every 5 days) during the growing season, but it recovers quickly from damage. <\/p>
- Classification<\/strong>: Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by<\/strong>: Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Low \u2013 some varieties need more sun than others<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>High \u2013 may go dormant during long periods of drought<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate to high \u2013 requires frequent watering, fertilization, and mowing to maintain its appearance and health<\/li>
- Recommended mowing height<\/strong>: <\/strong>1-2 inches \u2013 raise the mower height during periods of drought or extreme heat<\/li>
- Potential for disease and pests<\/strong>: Moderate (common diseases include dollar spot, large patch, leaf spot, and spring dead spot; can be prone to armyworms, bermudagrass mites, and nematodes)<\/li>
- Soil pH<\/strong>: 6-6.5<\/li>
- Soil type<\/strong>: Grows in most soil types<\/li> <\/ul>
Other notes<\/strong>: <\/strong>It has the impressive ability to propagate itself rapidly, but this may result in the grass taking over and invading nearby flower beds or other cultivated areas.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:
\u2013 <\/strong>Pennington Bermudagrass Bare Spot<\/a> (5 lb. bag)
\u2013 Pennington Smart Seed Bermudagrass Mix<\/a> (8.75-lb. bag)
\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass<\/a> (10-lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/p>St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_800px-stenotaphrum_secundatum_variegatum-1-the_regent_hill-yercaud-salem-india.jpg\")
St. Augustine Grass
Photo Credit: Yercaud-elango<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>St. Augustinegrass is a great choice if you live on the Eastern shore, as you can plant it in sandy soils and it has a high salt tolerance. However, it doesn\u2019t tolerate heavy foot traffic and can be susceptible to insects and diseases. It requires some TLC to keep its blue-green color and coarse, spongy texture. It is also only available as sod, making repairs costly. <\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons<\/li>
- Shade tolerance<\/strong>: Moderate shade tolerance, among the highest of any warm-season grass; some cultivars are more shade tolerant than others<\/li>
- Drought resistance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Maintenance needs:<\/strong> Moderate to high mowing frequency<\/li>
- Mowing height:<\/strong> 2.5-4 inches (mow dwarf varieties from 2.5-3 inches; standard cultivars from 3-4 inches; mow tall in shade)<\/li>
- Potential for disease:<\/strong> Low to moderate \u2014 gray leaf spot and large patch are common<\/li>
- Potential for pests:<\/strong> Low resistance<\/li>
- Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-7.5<\/li>
- Soil type:<\/strong> Tolerates many soil types but prefers moderately fertile and moist (not waterlogged) soils; doesn\u2019t tolerate soil compaction<\/li> <\/ul>
Other notes:<\/strong> Native to coastal areas, St. Augustinegrass prefers moist soils and mild winters but can thrive in inland areas, provided growing conditions are met. It has good salt tolerance but will go dormant during the winter, except in the Southern regions.<\/p>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons<\/li>
- Spreads by<\/strong>: Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons and rhizomes<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type grasses with one exception: creeping red fescues possess rhizomes<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes<\/li>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Cool-Season Grasses for Maryland<\/a><\/li>