Spring is often regarded as the best time to grow grass, but did you know it’s possible to plant grass during other periods of the year? That’s right — you can have new grass during summer and even fall as well. In line with this, you should be aware of what grass varieties you can grow in your lawn. Grass varieties can be divided into two: cool-season and warm-season varieties.
Explaining Cool-Season and Warm-Season Varieties
First of all, we have to get rid of one common misunderstanding about the two types. The differentiation isn’t just about the season — it’s also about the region and its annual climate. It’s true that warm-season grass varieties thrive during summer and spring due to the warm temperatures. Likewise, fall is often a good season to plant cool-season grasses.
However, the fact is that both cool-season and warm-season varieties are planted in the same seasons: spring, summer, and fall. What differentiates cool-season and warm-season varieties is the temperature they need to thrive. Cool-season varieties such as tall fescue and perennial ryegrass thrive when the temperature ranges from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm-season grasses like bahiagrass and centipedegrass thrive when it’s 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thus, the cool-season bentgrass can be grown in late summer due while the bahiagrass should be planted in early summer. The former will enjoy the cooler period of the summer as it approaches autumn while the latter will thrive in the warmer stage of summer.
Moreover, these temperature ranges stay longer in some areas compared to others. For example, the northern region of the United States has an annual climate with temperatures that suit cool-season grass varieties. In contrast, the southern region has a generally warm, arid, and humid climate for warm-season varieties.
If you want to know more about the specific periods for growing both cool-season and warm-season grass varieties, check out this handy infographic. This guide also includes the other factors necessary for their optimal growth.
Contributed by: Ann Sanders
