Both grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 5. Growing a beautiful lawn (or even growing a lawn that's great for gardening) means choosing the best grass for your soil and type of drainage. When it comes to poorly draining areas, it's absolutely vital to choose the best grass seed for wet areas. You can still grow healthy, productive grass in areas of your lawn that have somewhat poor drainage, but you should carefully select the species that will tolerate these less than ideal growing conditions.
There are a few common grass species that can easily meet the requirements. The small open areas between soil particles, known as pore spaces, are as important as the soil particles themselves. Plant roots, earthworms, and other organisms that live in soil need air and water, and these two life-giving substances are only present in pore spaces. The amount of pore space is determined by several factors, including soil texture (which refers to the proportions of sand, silt, and clay) and the degree of soil aggregation.
Water moves through the soil from one pore space to another, so soils with inadequate pore space tend to have poor drainage. If the wet area you want to plant with grass is small, it may be worth improving the apparent density, or soil compaction, by modifying the area with organic materials such as compost. However, the larger the area that needs to be modified, the more difficult the task will be. At this point, it's probably best to opt for a lawn that's better suited to local conditions.
Poor drainage leads to a variety of soil conditions that hinder plant growth. Grasses, in general, tolerate poor drainage simply because they grow vigorously with extensive root systems that break up compacted soil and add organic matter, helping to improve drainage by promoting soil aggregation. However, grass species are more sensitive to drainage problems because they stay short by frequent mowing, which inhibits root growth and increases susceptibility to stressful soil conditions. The general approach to selecting species for a poorly draining lawn is to look for grasses that are adapted to humid soils but that are also drought tolerant, since drought tolerance indicates a strong and extensive root system.
One of the few grass species with a reputation for tolerating poor drainage is tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). This cool-season herb is recommended for the U.S. UU. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 to 9, although it may decrease during severe winters and its growth will slow down during the summer heat.
Oregon State University rates tall fescue as moderately well-adapted to poorly drained soils and even somewhat tolerant to very poorly drained soil. Bay grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) has an extensive and deep root system and is recommended for lawns with poor drainage. This warm-season species is only appropriate for USDA zones 7 to 10, but it is drought tolerant and can stay green in hot weather. Unlike other warm-season lawns, bay grass can be established from seed.
Bay grass has good disease resistance; this is important for poorly drained sites, which are often subject to humid and humid conditions that encourage the appearance of pathogenic organisms. Some types of grass can survive in poorly drained soil. Grasses that grow well in muddy areas include buffalo grass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and bent grass. Tall fescue has thick, sturdy leaves and deep roots, making it an excellent choice for lawns with high traffic.
Tall fescue is not only durable against high levels of foot traffic, but it also adapts to changes in temperature and the availability of water. It is one of the most drought-resistant varieties of grass. As a cool-season type of grass, tall fescue would do best in northern climates. In summer, tall fescue can benefit from re-seeding with warm-season grass seeds.
It has a wide leaf and its color varies from medium to dark green. Perennial ryegrass is so durable that it's a popular type of grass for golf courses in northern climates. This is another herb with tough leaves and a strong root system. In addition to being able to withstand heavy foot traffic, perennial ryegrass also grows rapidly and is resistant to drought.
This is a great type of low-maintenance grass for active, busy families. Another type of cool-season grass, Kentucky bluegrass, is a very popular choice if you're looking to plant grass seeds that produce beautiful, long-lasting grass. Although it has a more superficial root system compared to tall fescue, the grass grows into a thick, dense grass, which protects it from heavy foot traffic. While not as drought-resistant as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass can withstand a lot of foot traffic from pets and active children.
It requires a little more maintenance, but caring for Kentucky bluegrass will result in a green lawn all year round. Kentucky blue grass is what most people imagine when they imagine the perfect lawn. It has a soft and smooth texture and ranges in color from blue-green to emerald. Bermuda grass is prized for its durability, and this type of grass is commonly used on golf courses and sports fields.
The durability of this type of grass comes from its deep roots and rapid growth rate. Bermuda grass is a warm-season herb, so it would do best in southern climates. During cold weather, the bermuda grass remains dormant and takes on a dull color. In addition to being durable, Bermuda grass is also very drought tolerant.
Its color ranges from blue-green to gray-green to dark green. Zoysiagrass grass is another durable warm-season grass. Zoysiagrass gets its durability from its dense and dense growth pattern. It can thrive in a variety of soil types, but requires more maintenance than other grasses.
It's also more susceptible to disease. Zoysia grass can vary in color and texture, but it generally ranges from light to medium green. This type of grass grows quickly in warm climates, providing thick, durable grass for the spring and summer seasons. Despite growing in poorly draining soils, these grass species also need maintenance and some type of lawn care.
.
Leave a Comment