William E. Pound, Extension Agronomist
The Ohio State University
The initial consideration in turfgrass establishment is which grass species (such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue or tall fescue) to plant. After selecting the species, consider the appropriate cultivars or varieties within the species. As with most plants, each turfgrass species has a number of cultivars, varieties or hybrids, each of which are subtly different genetically.
Several factors should be considered when choosing turfgrass cultivars. Plant those which are best adapted to the conditions of the lawn. Choose ones which are best suited for the areas to be seeded. Shady, wet, poorly drained areas or regions of the lawn with poor soil, pH extremes, drought susceptibility, etc. all require careful cultivar selection. Turfgrass cultivars with resistance to diseases should also be included in the blend. For instance, Kentucky bluegrass seed planted in shady areas should contain cultivars with resistance to powdery mildew. Additional resistance to diseases including leaf spot, melting out, stripe smut and patch diseases is desirable. Failure to make the proper species or cultivar selection may result in establishment or maintenance problems or a lawn not capable of providing the intended benefits.
When establishing a lawn with only one species (such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue or fine fescue), blending cultivars within the species is recommended. A blend is a combination of two or more cultivars of the same species. Two to four cultivars is normally the recommended blend. This gives the lawn greater genetic diversity which improves disease and insect resistance and the general adaptation of the turf under differing environmental conditions. Planting a blend does not necessarily guarantee resistance to any pest but if done properly, will provide some resistance to insects, diseases and cultural stresses while providing a turfgrass area uniform in appearance. Blending helps ensure that the entire lawn will not be lost if attacked by pests or subjected to abnormal cultural or environmental stresses.
If mixtures (combinations of two or more species) are used, consideration should be given to their similarity in appearance and growth habit, ability to compete and the climatic adaptation of the cultivars within each species.
In most communities, local retailers or grain elevators have turfgrass seed available in bulk and often blend varieties or mix species based on the needs of the customer. If this is not available and the only seed available is through prepackaged products, carefully review the seed label for information about the package's contents. By understanding the information on the label, the customer can choose the grass seed that best fits his or her needs. Consider the cultivar(s) present, percent germination, date of germination test, percentage of inert matter and weed seeds and, if mixed species, the ratio of the species.
The Federal Seed Act of 1936 mandates certain requirements of seed labeling which must be followed by all seed packaging companies. By law, all seed sold in Ohio must be labeled and include:
The best lawn will be obtained using high quality seed containing no weed or other crop seed. Although a higher quality seed may be more expensive, the premium price is a good investment in obtaining a high quality lawn.
Turfgrass seed is harvested in the summer and tested in the fall/winter. This seed is usually offered for sale the following growing season. With time, the germination rates of the seeds will decline. The rate of the decline depends on the conditions under which the seed is stored. Cool, dry storage will favor seed preservation. Compensate for a slight decline in germination percentage by slightly increasing the seeding rate.
The four turfgrass species most commonly used in lawn establishment in Ohio are Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and fine fescue. Many of the best commercial cultivars and promising experimental selections of these species are evaluated in a program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture. This program, the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, evaluates and compares cultivars at selected sites across the United States and Canada. Cultivars are evaluated based on color, quality, leaf texture, seedling vigor, cold hardiness, summer stress tolerance, disease and insect susceptibility, etc. The results are compiled for each cultivar, summarized, ranked and then published in yearly reports. Summary rankings of the top commercially available cultivars, based on quality ratings, for the four prominent turfgrass species in Ohio are listed below.
Top Commercially Available Turfgrass Cultivars |
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Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868