- Cool-Season Grasses<\/a>
- Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Fine Fescues<\/a><\/li>
- Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Warm-Season Grasses<\/a>
- Buffalograss<\/a><\/li>
- Blue Grama<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Skip ahead to our section on choosing the best grass type for your Wyoming lawn<\/a> if you\u2019re short on time.<\/p>
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Map-of-Continental-Divide-in-North-America.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USGS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Cool-Season Grasses<\/h2>
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1.jpg\")
<\/figure> Kentucky Bluegrass<\/h3>
![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/800px-Poa_pratensis_lawn-1.jpg\")
Kentucky Bluegrass
Photo Credit: <\/a>Ethan2039<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Wyoming\u2019s cooler night temperatures suit this popular turfgrass across the state. Kentucky bluegrass likes full sun, is very cold tolerant, and will hold up to kids and pets romping in the yard. If you live in eastern Wyoming, be aware that some Kentucky bluegrass cultivars need more fertilizer and water than others. <\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Rhizomes<\/p>
Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Drought tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>
Maintenance needs<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs. <\/p>
Mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3 inches.<\/p>
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. <\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6-7.5<\/p>
Soil type: <\/strong>Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility. <\/p>
Other notes:<\/strong> For a more water-thrifty Kentucky bluegrass<\/a>, consider Park, North Dakota Common, and Kenblue varieties.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:<\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed<\/a> (3 lbs.)
\u2013 SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.) <\/p>Fine Fescues<\/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<\/figcaption><\/figure>Fine fescue is a good drought-tolerant grass<\/a> for eastern Wyoming. It\u2019s also a good choice for a low-maintenance yard wherever you live. However, the fine fescues don\u2019t stand up to foot traffic, so they aren\u2019t a good choice if your lawn gets heavy use. <\/p>
Fine fescue lawns can be manicured (mowed regularly) or left to grow long and create a meadow-like lawn that is mowed one to two times per year. Manicured fine fescue lawns need from 0.5 to 1 inch of water each week, but meadow-like lawns need as little as 1 inch of water each month.<\/p>
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 3 inches, depending on grass 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>
Other notes: <\/strong>Fine fescue grasses can <\/strong>grow in full sun in Wyoming. If you\u2019re selecting turfgrass<\/a> for a shaded lawn, consider creeping red, slender red, hard, Chewings, or sheep fescue.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/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>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<\/figcaption><\/figure>This bunchgrass produces a mostly low-maintenance lawn that stands up to moderate foot traffic. Turf-type tall fescue\u2019s strong, deep root system makes it heat and drought-tolerant, and thus a good choice for the semi-arid portions of the state. <\/p>
If you\u2019re concerned about growing grass in the shade<\/a>, tall fescue may be a good fit, as it will grow under partial shade conditions. However, if it thins out due to excessive shade or foot traffic, plan to get out the spreader to overseed<\/a> each fall. Tall fescue is a bunch-type grass and won\u2019t repair on its own.<\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit<\/p>
Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Drought tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate to <\/strong>High<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>
Maintenance needs<\/strong>:<\/strong> Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch. <\/p>
Mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> Set mowing height to 2.5 to 3 inches.<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained. <\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 5.5-6.5<\/p>
Soil type: <\/strong>Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage. <\/p>
Other notes:<\/strong> Don\u2019t mix tall fescues<\/a> with other turfgrasses. If you\u2019re putting in a new lawn, you can buy seed mixtures of several different tall fescue cultivars.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:<\/strong>
<\/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>Perennial Ryegrass<\/h3>
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/26820162412_ef1f5cdbdb_h-1.jpg\")
Perennial Ryegrass
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>This bunchgrass is usually found in a seed mix with Kentucky bluegrass. It germinates and greens up quickly to give your lawn a head start. It\u2019s also used on sloping areas to prevent erosion. Ryegrass stands up to foot traffic but doesn\u2019t care for shady areas. It also doesn\u2019t do well with the cold, especially in windy conditions.<\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> <\/strong>Has a bunch-type growth habit<\/p>
Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Drought tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Low<\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance<\/strong>: <\/strong>High<\/p>
Maintenance needs<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant. <\/p>
Mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>High. Common diseases include gray leaf spot, red thread, and leaf spot\/melting-out. <\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but prefers between 6 and 7. <\/p>
Soil type: <\/strong>Prefers good drainage and fertility, but can tolerate some poor drainage. <\/p>
Other notes: <\/strong>Generally, perennial ryegrass isn\u2019t very drought tolerant. But <\/strong>University of Wyoming research has found that perennial ryegrass can do well in dryland as a low-maintenance grass<\/a>. <\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed<\/a> (5 lbs.)
\u2013 Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed<\/a> (choose your size) <\/p>Warm-Season Grasses<\/h2>
Buffalograss<\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PIXNIO-4149-800x600-1.jpg\")
Buffalograss
Photo Credit: Pixnio<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>This warm-season grass, a native of the Great Plains, is a good choice for the state\u2019s dryland areas as it needs little water and likes heat \u2014 it\u2019s happiest at lower elevations with hot temperatures. It also has a high cold tolerance and doesn\u2019t need frequent mowing. However, it doesn\u2019t tolerate shade or high foot traffic. <\/p>
Classification: <\/strong>Warm-season grass<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Stolons<\/p>
Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>
Drought tolerance: <\/strong>High <\/p>
Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>Low <\/p>
Maintenance needs: <\/strong>Low fertilizer and mowing needs. Requires weed control. <\/p>
Mowing height: <\/strong>Set the mowing height at 2.5 to 2 inches.<\/p>
Potential for disease: <\/strong>Good tolerance against diseases and insects<\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6.5-7.5<\/p>
Soil type: <\/strong>Native clay soils, not sandy soils<\/p>
Other notes:<\/strong> Compared with other turf in Wyoming<\/a>, buffalograss has a long dormancy period. It browns out at first frost and won\u2019t green up until June, at the earliest.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds<\/a> (1 lb. of seeds)
\u2013 Buffalograss seed (primed)<\/a> (5-lb. bag) <\/p>Blue Grama<\/h3>
![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Blue-grama-800.jpg\")
Blue grama
Photo credit: Matt Lavin<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Blue grama is another warm-season native grass<\/a> of the Great Plains. It is slow-growing, but once established, it is very drought-resistant and heat tolerant, making it a good choice for dryland areas. It\u2019s also cold-tolerant and doesn\u2019t need to be mowed often. However, it doesn\u2019t do well with heavy foot traffic or shade. <\/p>
Classification:<\/strong> Warm-season<\/p>
Spreads by:<\/strong> Rhizomes<\/p>
Shade Tolerance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Drought Tolerance:<\/strong> High<\/p>
Foot Traffic Tolerance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Maintenance Needs:<\/strong> Low maintenance requirements<\/p>
Mowing Height:<\/strong> Set mowing height at 2.5 to 3 inches.<\/p>
Potential for Disease:<\/strong> Low to Moderate. Its most prevalent disease is fungal rust. <\/p>
Soil pH:<\/strong> 6.6-8.4<\/p>
Soil Type:<\/strong> Tolerates a wide range of soil textures, including clays and sandy or gravelly loams. Does not perform well in wet, poorly drained soils. <\/p>
Other notes:<\/strong> For lawns, blue grama is usually mixed with buffalograss. Both have a long dormancy season and will go brown at first frost.<\/p>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 Everwilde Farms Blue Grama Grass Seeds<\/a> (1 lb.)
\u2013 Nature\u2019s Seed Blue Grama Grass Seeds<\/a> (1 lb.) <\/p>Choosing the Best Grass Type for Your Wyoming Lawn<\/h2>
So, what\u2019s the best grass for the place you call home? Where you live in Wyoming makes a difference, as does the way you use your lawn. Ask yourself a few questions, then compare your answers to these lawn characteristics.<\/p>
Best Grass Types for Western Wyoming<\/h3>
- Blue Grama<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
- Fine Fescues<\/a><\/li>
- Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>