- Grass Growing Zone for Wisconsin<\/a><\/li>
- Cool-Season Grasses<\/a>
- Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Fine Fescues<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Grass: Can Be Mowed<\/a><\/li>
- Native Grasses: Ornamental<\/a><\/li>
- Challenges to Growing Grass in Wisconsin<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
For a summary, skip ahead to our section on how to select the best grass type for Wisconsin<\/a>.<\/p>
Grass Growing Zone for Wisconsin<\/h2>
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1.jpg\")
<\/figure> Wisconsin fits snugly in the cool-season grass growing zone. Cool-season grasses<\/a> grow in spring and fall when temps are cool and may go dormant in the summer under excessive heat or drought conditions.<\/p>
Cool-Season Grasses<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/LS-cool-season-growth.jpg\")
<\/figure> Kentucky Bluegrass<\/h3>
![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kentucky-Bluegrass.jpg\")
Kentucky Bluegrass
Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>Kentucky Bluegrass is common in the Midwest because it tolerates cold better than any other grass. It\u2019s known for its ability to withstand weather that damages fescue or ryegrass. However, Kentucky bluegrass needs a lot of watering, fertilization, and mowing. It doesn\u2019t do as well in sandy soil, so there are regions where extra attention will be needed if you use this popular grass.<\/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 3.5 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>
A pro\u2019s tip: <\/strong>Rough bluegrass and supina bluegrass are related to Kentucky bluegrass and grow well where it does not, the shade. However, they have a light green color that doesn\u2019t match the existing grasses, giving a lawn a patchwork look often described as \u201cugly.\u201d They also require even more maintenance than Kentucky bluegrass.<\/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>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>Perennial ryegrass is the first of the grasses to become green (a notably dark green) when the snow melts. It has good cold tolerance, but its heat and drought tolerance varies by cultivar. It is also common for a perennial ryegrass lawn to develop bare spots from wear or stress. As a bunch-type grass, these won\u2019t fill in on their own; they must be overseeded (preferably in fall).<\/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>
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>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>Tall fescue grows well throughout the state but has a better tolerance for warm weather than the other cool-season grasses, making it a popular choice in the southern part of Wisconsin. It also does well in sandy soils, making it a good choice in those areas.<\/p>
Older cultivars of tall fescue<\/a> grass are usually coarse in texture, so it isn\u2019t a grass the kids or pets will want to romp on. In fact, it isn\u2019t a lot of fun for adults to go barefooting on. Newer turf-type tall fescues are often finer in texture and have a better feel underfoot.<\/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 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall. <\/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>
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>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 fescues (creeping red, Chewings, and hard are the ones found in Wisconsin) grow well in a lot of soil types, making them a good choice in Wisconsin. They are also one of the best cool-season grasses for Wisconsin due to their extreme resistance to winter freezes. Fine fescues also grow in the many soils found in Wisconsin. <\/p>
Fine fescues need less fertilizer, water, and mowing than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass but are one of the types of grass seed that will turn brown during summer. <\/p>
A pro\u2019s tip: <\/strong>Fine fescues are often combined with Kentucky bluegrass in order to have a lawn seed that grows in both the sun and shade. But be warned: The fine fescues will dominate the shady spots and Kentucky bluegrass will dominate the sunny spots, making for a funny-looking lawn, albeit a healthy lawn.<\/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 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>
<\/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>Native Grass: Can Be Mowed<\/h2>
Blue Grama <\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blue_grama-1.jpeg\")
Blue grama
Photo credit: SEWilco<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Blue grama is a native grass that is being rediscovered as a turfgrass. It is suited for Wisconsin because of its ability to grow in a lot of different soils. <\/p>
Unlike other warm-season grasses (e.g., Zoysiagrass, Bermudagrass), blue grama<\/a> has a history of growing in cold-weather sites; when the first European settlers arrived in Wisconsin, they found it growing in the cooler high elevations \u2026 just as the first Oneota did.<\/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 between 2 and 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>
Native Grasses: Ornamental<\/h2>
There were once 2.1 million acres of native tallgrass prairie growing in Wisconsin. Then people started showing up. Today, less than 0.1%<\/a> of that grassland is still in place. <\/p>
Most of the native grasses still growing in Wisconsin are found on roadsides. But in recent years, people have taken to making a connection to their heritage by using some of these natives as ornamental grasses in their yards.<\/p>
The native grasses<\/a> that are becoming popular again include cool-season grasses that developed in the northern part of the state:<\/p>
- Virginia wild rye<\/strong> (Elymus virginicus<\/em>). Grows in all of Wisconsin\u2019s soils, and in sun and shade.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Tufted hairgrass<\/strong> (Deschampsia cespitosa<\/em>). Grows in all of Wisconsin\u2019s soils. Remains short.<\/li> <\/ul>
There are also warm-season grasses grasses that developed in what is now the southern part of Wisconsin:<\/p>
- Prairie dropseed<\/strong> (Sporobolus heterolepis<\/em>). Good in sandy soils. Needs full sun. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Little bluestem<\/strong> (Schizachyrium scoparium<\/em>). Good in Wisconsin\u2019s sandy soils, but not in its clay soils. Needs full sun and dry earth.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Big bluestem<\/strong> (Andropogon gerardii). <\/em>Grows in all of Wisconsin\u2019s soils, but needs full sun.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Indiangrass<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>(Sorghastrum nutans). <\/em>Grows in all of Wisconsin\u2019s soils, but doesn\u2019t do well in the smaller spaces of yards.<\/li> <\/ul>
Challenges to Growing Grass in Wisconsin<\/h2>
Seeding Dates are Tight<\/h3>
Whether you\u2019re overseeding an existing lawn or planting grass seed for a new lawn, pay attention to the best dates to put down seed.<\/p>
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Natural Resources Conservation Service<\/a>:<\/p>
<\/td> Cool-season Grasses<\/td><\/tr> North<\/td> May 1-June 15
July 15-August 10<\/td><\/tr>Central<\/td> April 15-June 1
August 1-August 21<\/td><\/tr>South<\/td> April 1-May 15
August 7-August 29<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>A pro\u2019s tip: <\/strong>Some professionals <\/strong>will utilize \u201cdormant seeding<\/a>\u201d in which they spread grass seed in November, counting on the seeds to start germinating when the temperatures warm in spring.<\/p>
A State of Many Soils<\/h3>
Eighty percent of the state is made up of glacial deposits that differ in texture, composition, thickness, and age. That has led to the state having more than 700 soil groups, about 150 of which are found nowhere else. <\/p>
This has resulted in the different regions of the state having different soils: <\/p>
- Southeast<\/strong>, silty<\/li> <\/ul>
- South central,<\/strong> a silt\/sand mixture. <\/li> <\/ul>
- East central,<\/strong> sandy<\/li> <\/ul>
- South central,<\/strong> a silt\/sand mixture. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Southeast<\/strong>, silty<\/li> <\/ul>
- Indiangrass<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>(Sorghastrum nutans). <\/em>Grows in all of Wisconsin\u2019s soils, but doesn\u2019t do well in the smaller spaces of yards.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Big bluestem<\/strong> (Andropogon gerardii). <\/em>Grows in all of Wisconsin\u2019s soils, but needs full sun.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Little bluestem<\/strong> (Schizachyrium scoparium<\/em>). Good in Wisconsin\u2019s sandy soils, but not in its clay soils. Needs full sun and dry earth.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Prairie dropseed<\/strong> (Sporobolus heterolepis<\/em>). Good in sandy soils. Needs full sun. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Tufted hairgrass<\/strong> (Deschampsia cespitosa<\/em>). Grows in all of Wisconsin\u2019s soils. Remains short.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Cool-Season Grasses<\/a>