What Type of Grass Should You Use on Your Lawn in Minnesota?

It is important when you are getting a new lawn to get the best type for your region. That can be a difficult thing to decide, but hopefully this guide will help you make the right choice. There are certainly better types of grass to plant in Minnesota. Here is what you need to know.

If you have lived in Minnesota for more than six months, you know full well how cold it can get. For that reason, you absolutely must have a cool-season grass type for your lawn. These types of grass will hold up in cooler weather, and will survive the cold winters. They grow best in temperatures between 65 and 80 Fahrenheit, which is the range in the spring and autumn. Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue are all cool-season grasses that can work in Minnesota. They all have their specific benefits as well.

Things to Consider

There are a few factors to consider when choosing between appropriate cool-season grass types. For one, is your lawn shady? If so, then try to find seed mixtures that combine Kentucky bluegrass with fine fescues. This will make your lawn better able to tolerate shade and grow well despite this condition. Also, if your lawn has a greater exposure to the sun, then you may want about half and half of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. If you want a lawn that is relatively easy to maintain, then a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues should do the trick quite nicely.

Grasses to Avoid

There are some grass types that are definitely not appropriate for Minnesota. For instance, Zoysia is a great grass for warmer climates, but it will not grow quick enough in cooler climates. Annual ryegrass, as opposed to the perennial ryegrass mentioned above, is very low quality and will not regrow after the winter. You will often find bentgrass on golf courses, but it is not great for home use. It requires a lot of maintenance, looks ugly when it grows out, and is prone to diseases.

Planting the right grass is very important to have a great looking lawn. Hopefully this guide will help you make the right choice for your new lawn in Minnesota.