It happens that with proper care, the lawn still does not please with its density, in some places it freezes over the winter and requires frequent overseeding. These are all consequences of an incorrectly selected herbal mixture. When buying, we usually pay attention only to the information for which type of lawn the mixture is intended (sports, parterre, etc.). The herbs that make up the composition are of less interest to us, especially since their names will say little to an ordinary buyer. But this information is more important than the rest, because a lot of mixtures are imported into our country from Europe. The climate there is milder, and the criteria for the selection of lawn grasses are not so strict. But in our harsh climate, the European lawn often freezes out, because it does not contain frost-resistant grasses. To avoid such problems, lawn grass must be selected for its climate and soil adaptability. Let’s take a closer look at this.
Any ornamental grass for a lawn must be a perennial, because the lawn is created for more than one year, and it makes no sense to sow the site in a new way every spring. Of all existing plant species, cereals are the most adapted to the conditions of the lawn. But not all, but only those that meet the following requirements:
- Freeze resistant.
- Externally decorative (juicy green flowers, with uniform germination of shoots, with the same cover density, etc.).
- They develop a strong root system that does not collapse as a result of movement, is able to grow on compacted soils, etc.
- After mowing, they quickly build up the cover and respond well to mineral fertilizers.
- The ability to reproduce vegetatively, because seeds on the lawn cannot multiply with the help of seeds.
If we analyze all the plants offered in the mixtures according to the five listed criteria, then from the whole variety there will be only three names of grass for the lawn, ideally meeting the conditions of Russian weather. it slender bent, red fescue и meadow bluegrass… All of them are included in the group of short-rhizome cereals and have similar properties.
These plants are not afraid of temperature contrasts, especially with frosts in early spring or late autumn. Their root system can withstand severe frosts and forms such a dense sod that it is simply unrealistic for weeds to break through it. For 1 sq.m. about 30 thousand shoots develop. Grasses withstand frequent mowing, have a high rate of vegetative propagation, therefore, with proper care, the lawn will serve without overseeding for decades.
Red fescue grows rather slowly, so in the first year of planting the lawn will look sparse, but the next season the plant creates a dense, even cover.
Meadow bluegrass is not worth buying in its pure form, because it slowly builds up the root system. It is better to take a mixture where it is the main component.
The slender bent is famous not only for its winter hardiness and unpretentiousness, but also for its rich dense green color, which gives the lawn a rich look
When studying the composition of mixtures in stores, choose for yourself those that contain the largest percentage of these particular cereals. Sometimes the names of the components are written in Latin on the packaging. Memorize how these three herbs sound in Latin:
- The bent bent is denoted as Agrostis tenuis;
- Meadow bluegrass is Poa pratensis;
- Red fescue translates as Festuca rubra.
In addition to three cereals, other plants can be found in mixtures that are suitable for the climate of our latitudes. All of them will have good frost resistance and ease of maintenance. But there are some disadvantages that do not allow us to consider these grasses the best for the lawn. And if you find their names in the mixture, then remember that they should not be the main component, but can be used as a supplement.
Here are the types of herbs commonly used in lawn mixes:
- Pole grass escaping. The best quality is very fast growth. Minus – gives horizontal shoots, which are distinguished by a light color against the background of a dark green lawn. This gives the lawn an uneven color. This quality is inappropriate on parterre lawns, although it is not so important for a recreation area.
- Other types of bluegrass. In addition to meadow, which we described earlier, there are narrow-leaved, common and flattened bluegrass species in mixtures. They are characterized by poor durability, i.e. after 5-7 years, they require reseeding, and the decorative properties are lower (the blades of grass are too hard and with a gray tint).
The light green color of the horizontal shoots of the common bent grass contrasts with the color of the main lawn grass, so the grass is not suitable for parterre lawns
There are some types of low-growing lawn grasses that are adapted to specific growing conditions. They cannot be called universal, but for certain parts of the site it is recommended to plant them.
So, u oak bluegrass high ability to grow in partial shade. Those. under garden trees and in places near buildings where light rarely enters, this plant will relieve the lawn of bald spots and pale cover. True, you must take into account that the bluegrass cannot form a dense root system, therefore it does not tolerate movement and frequent mowing.
Swamp bluegrass will save the situation on lawns with high humidity, where drainage has not been carried out. It forms a beautiful green cover and develops powerful roots, but does not live long and requires frequent sowing. It can be combined with white bent grass, which also grows well in moist soil. But its decorative properties are lower than that of bluegrass, and the lifespan is about 8 years.
For parterre lawns, on which it is not planned to walk at all, you can use field bent… It is one of the most luxurious herbs in appearance, because it has an emerald color and delicate, thin blades of grass. Such a lawn is also called “velvet”, because from a distance it looks like an expensive fabric. But with all the external advantages, the plant is very capricious. It lives for about 5 years, has weak roots, grows slowly and is absolutely not resistant to trampling.
If it is important for you that the lawn looks aesthetically pleasing in a month or two, then choose a mixture that contains meadow fescue… This is the fastest growing cereal that will close its stems after 2 months. It can be used in its pure form for a temporary lawn, which is destined to grow in one place for 4 years, because the grain does not live longer. In addition, meadow fescue has weak roots that are afraid of trampling. But in the composition of the mixture, this cereal can be very useful as an addition to the main herb. For example, meadow bluegrass grows slowly, and while it is in full force, empty spaces will successfully cover the stems of meadow fescue.
Meadow fescue will save the owners when it is urgent to make the lawn decorative, because after 2 months the blades of grass form a continuous thick carpet
Your lawn will be thick already in the first summer, however, a little bit motley. Meadow fescue has wide stems and a light color, which will look contrasting against the background of narrow dark green blades of bluegrass. The next year, when the main grass begins to grow rapidly, it will simply squeeze out this cereal and take its place.
You can also grow an unpretentious lawn from Irish moss, read about this:
There are herbs in European blends that should be avoided when planting on lawns because they are designed for mild climates. For instance, perennial ryegrass possesses excellent growth, decorative properties and dense cover, but after the first winter your lawn will noticeably “shade”, although in Europe such lawns have been successfully turning green for about 8 years.
Perennial ryegrass (pasture) is capable of surprising only in the first year after planting. The harsh winter is beyond his powers
It is often found as an additional component of a mixture, annual bluegrass… Its feature is unpretentious care and rapid growth. But this cereal multiplies by seeds, so that with constant mowing for the next year, it will in no way be able to give offspring and will free the land for germination of weeds.
Another “two girlfriends” – turf pike and sheep’s fescue – they are good in all properties, except for one thing: they form bumps over time, and gradually your lawn will turn into a field of green mounds.
To make it easier for you to navigate, reading the compositions of lawn mixtures, and to better understand what grass for the lawn the manufacturer offers, we have collected the names of the herbs described in the article in Latin. Remember them and look for them on the packages:
