- 4 Best Grass Types for Columbus<\/a>
- Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Fine Fescue<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Consider Mixing Your Grasses<\/a><\/li>
- Cultivars and the Process of \u2018Blending\u2019<\/a><\/li>
- Cool-Season Growing Seasons<\/a><\/li>
- Cost to Seed or Sod a Lawn<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
If you\u2019re short on time, skip ahead to our quick decision guide on how to select the best grass type for Columbus, Ohio<\/a>.<\/p>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1.jpg\")
<\/figure> 4 Best Grass Types for Columbus<\/h2>
Kentucky Bluegrass<\/h3>
![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kentucky-Bluegrass.jpg\")
Kentucky Bluegrass
Photo Credit: Joshua Boman<\/a> \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>Don\u2019t be fooled by its name: This deep green-colored grass is widely used throughout the northern United States. Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is prized for its beauty and ability to recover from stresses like foot or paw traffic. But you\u2019ll need to put in the work to have a resilient KBG lawn. This grass requires you to fertilize, mow, dethatch, and water regularly (see lawn watering tips for Columbus, OH<\/a>). <\/p>
Fun Fact: <\/strong>The \u201cblue\u201d in bluegrass comes from flower heads that emerge when the grass is two feet or more in height. Some also say it has a blue-green color.<\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Rhizomes<\/li>
- Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Low<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Maintenance needs<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs. <\/li>
- Mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches. <\/li>
- Potential for disease:<\/strong> Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut. <\/li>
- Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-7.5<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility. <\/li> <\/ul>
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<\/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 an excellent choice for a Columbus lawn. Experts recommend that it be mixed with another type of seed, with Kentucky bluegrass being the partner of choice. Perennial ryegrass is soft to walk on, a luscious emerald green in color, and grows fast. However, it doesn\u2019t tolerate shade or drought well, so plant it in full sun and keep it watered in summer.<\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Has a bunch-type growth habit<\/li>
- Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Low<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Maintenance needs<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant. <\/li>
- Mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches<\/li>
- Potential for disease: <\/strong>High. Common diseases include gray leaf spot, red thread, and leaf spot\/melting-out. <\/li>
- Soil pH:<\/strong> Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but prefers between 6 and 7. <\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Prefers good drainage and fertility, but can tolerate some poor drainage. <\/li> <\/ul>
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>Tall Fescue<\/h3>
![\"tall](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Tall Fescue<\/a>
Aaron J. Patton, Ph.D. \/ Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Purdue University<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Once known as a \u201cwonder grass,\u201d tall fescue<\/a> grows in all the types of soil found in Columbus, and is remarkably low maintenance. However, it doesn\u2019t recover from damage well, so it might not be the right choice if you intend to let the kids play in it or to hold parties on it. <\/p>
Even if you don\u2019t have much foot or paw damage at summer\u2019s end, you may have bare spots due to other summer stresses. The solution to summer wear? It\u2019s easy: Overseed<\/a> in the fall.<\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit<\/li>
- Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate to <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Maintenance needs<\/strong>:<\/strong> Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch. <\/li>
- Mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> Set mowing height to 2 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall. <\/li>
- Potential for disease: <\/strong>Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained. <\/li>
- Soil pH:<\/strong> 5.5-6.5<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage. <\/li> <\/ul>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Choose turf-type tall fescue for the best results in a home lawn.<\/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>Fine Fescue<\/h3>
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Fine-fescue-grass.jpg\")
Fine Fescue<\/a>
Aaron J. Patton, Ph.D. \/ Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Purdue University<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Named for its narrower leaf blades, the fine fescues do well in the shade and drought. This group of grasses are often included in a mix with Kentucky bluegrass for lawns with sun and shade. If planted on their own, they are not a grass to let the kids play on as they don\u2019t tolerate foot traffic. But in a mix with KBG, moderate traffic shouldn\u2019t be an issue.<\/p>
\u201cFine fescues\u201d usually refer to:<\/p>
- Strong creeping red fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Slender creeping red fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Chewings fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Hard fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Sheep fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
There are other fine fescues, but they are seldom recommended for lawns, so stay away from these: <\/p>
- Blue fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Fine-leaf sheep fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Shade fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Bluebunch fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Molate fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
Classification:<\/strong> <\/strong>Cool-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Creeping red fescue spreads by rhizomes, while other fine fescues are bunch-type grasses, such as Chewings, hard, and sheep fescues. <\/p>
Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate to High, depending on species<\/p>
Drought tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate to High, depending on species<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Low to Moderate, depending on species<\/p>
Maintenance needs<\/strong>: <\/strong>Low fertilizer and mowing needs <\/p>
Mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> Set mowing height between 2.5 and 4 inches, depending on species. <\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate. Common diseases include red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, and powdery mildew. <\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-6.5<\/p>
Soil type: <\/strong>Will not perform well in wet soil conditions. Prefers drier soils and tolerates a wide range of soil types and fertility. <\/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>Consider Mixing Your Grasses<\/h2>
For lawns in Columbus and throughout Ohio, the Ohio State University recommends<\/a> that you use a mixture of seeds:<\/p>
- Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass<\/strong>. Use 90 to 95 percent Kentucky bluegrass.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue<\/strong>. Use no more than 50 percent Kentucky bluegrass, and as little as 30 percent.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass<\/strong>. Use 45 to 60 percent Kentucky bluegrass, 30 to 50 percent fine fescue, and the rest perennial ryegrass.<\/li> <\/ul>
Cultivars and the Process of \u2018Blending\u2019<\/h2>
Cultivars are varieties of plants that were cultivated in the name of science. Each type of grass has cultivars, with Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescues having dozens each. Cultivars are created to emphasize different needs, such as making a grass better in the shade, and in breeding strong grass options for Ohio. <\/p>
If you decide to use one type of grass for your lawn, you should think in terms of \u201cblending\u201d cultivars<\/a>. \u201cBlending\u201d is the term used when you use more than one cultivar of the same species. If you used two or more types of grass (say, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass), you are \u201cmixing.\u201d<\/p>
Yes, it is routine to have both \u201cblending\u201d and \u201cmixing\u201d in your lawn.<\/p>
A pro\u2019s tip: <\/strong>Seed must identify the type of grass and any cultivars above five percent, under the Federal Seed Act. There must also be the germination percentage, weed quantity, and inert material proportion. Use the information in making your decision. More than that: If the information isn\u2019t present, you should be wary of fraud (so don\u2019t buy it, right?). <\/p>
Cool-Season Growing Seasons<\/h2>
The best grasses to grow in Columbus, as well as the rest of Ohio, are the cool-season grasses<\/a>. Although they have two growing seasons, spring and fall, most of your lawn care will come in the fall (overseeding, aeration, dethatching, and fertilizing).<\/p>
![\"Cool](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1ls-cool-season-growth-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Cost to Seed or Sod a Lawn<\/strong><\/h2>
- Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass<\/strong>. Use 45 to 60 percent Kentucky bluegrass, 30 to 50 percent fine fescue, and the rest perennial ryegrass.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue<\/strong>. Use no more than 50 percent Kentucky bluegrass, and as little as 30 percent.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass<\/strong>. Use 90 to 95 percent Kentucky bluegrass.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Molate fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Bluebunch fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Shade fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Fine-leaf sheep fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Blue fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Sheep fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Hard fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Chewings fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Slender creeping red fescue<\/li> <\/ul>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Has a bunch-type growth habit<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Rhizomes<\/li>
- Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>