NATIVE COOL SEASON GRASSES GUIDE 75. Cool-season grasses have played an important role in agricultural and horticultural settings. Cool season grasses are grass types that grow exceptionally well in the cool weather of fall and spring. Native Grass Identification Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Quick ID: Turkey foot seedhead, long hairs on leaf blade toward base Big bluestem is a 4-7’ tall, leafy, warm-season bunch grass with fine hairs where the leaf joins the stem. The perfect temperature for cool season grass growth is between 65 and 80°F. If you’re examining a sod-forming grass, the next step is to look at the width of the leaf blades (1⁄2-inch wide, ⁄4-inch wide, or less than 1⁄8-inch wide). All rights reserved. It thrives in zones 4 through 9 and does best with temperatures around 70 degrees. As the surface water is depleted, roots begin using up water deeper in the soil. 1. Forage legumes (next section and Table 17) are commonly overseeded in perennial grasses to provide … They can be absent or present, large or small and may have hair. Frigid cold winters and moderate summers are no problem for these versatile grass types. However, some warm-season grasses also grow well there because of the hot, dry summers. 2). Before making important lawn management decisions, make sure that you can identify the turfgrass species present at the site. Only vegetative regrowth (won’t produce seed heads). Open panicle of Johnsongrass. With proper management, stands in Pennsylvania have remained productive for 20 years. If you apply a herbicide that is safe only on Kentucky bluegrass to a fine fescue lawn, serious damage could result and you may have to replace the lawn. It is also more heat, drought and disease tolerant than other fine fescues. Robust, native cool-season bunchgrass that reaches 3-5’ in height and is bluish- green in color. If it rolls like a straw, it has rolled vernation, if it lies flat and has edges, it is folded. It can be mowed as low as 1/10" and makes an... BERMUDA GRASS. Figure 5. Management practices that favor a healthy turf such as planting improved, adapted cultivars, proper fertilization, and timely … LawnNerd Posts: 512 Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2017 12:53 am Location: Kernersville, Nc Grass Type: Front: TTTF & KBG Back: Zoysia Lawn Size: 6000 Sq Ft Mower: … Seed production is summarized in Table 20. Any of the cool season turf grasses will turn brown in high heat, with the possible exception of tall fescue, … They head out in late July and are at their peak in August and September. In the Deep South, warm-season grasses are generally grown. While NWSGs are the backbone of the prairies, NCSGs fulfill an important ecological role by providing forage, nesting cover, and seeds to eat early in the growing season, as well … Commonly called Karl Foerster Feather Reed grass, this cool-season ornamental is one of the most versatile. Hard Fescue Grass Seed. Ligules can be membranous, hairy or absent. Some of these have been discussed in " The Cool Season Turfgrasses: Basic Structures, Growth and Development ". Even though cool season grass seed grows well during the fall and spring months, don’t plant your lawn during the spring. The nodding, soft seed head is similar to rye. Ligule short or absent 5. Quackgrass and Bentgrass Identification. List of Cool-Season Grasses . These grasses include timothy, … For example, one way to distinguish Kentucky bluegrass from rough bluegrass is that rough bluegrass produces stolons and Kentucky bluegrass produces rhizomes. Home Town. In the St. Louis area they slow down or may go dormant (turn brown) in summer. Cool season grass species include creeping bentgrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, annual ryegrass and perennial ryegrass. The latter are commonly referred to collectively as grass.. With around 780 genera and around 12,000 … This includes such grasses as tall fescue, fine fescue (chewings, creeping red), Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. Warm season grasses grow best in the southern parts of the United States, while cool season grasses perform well in temperate and northern climates. Tolerant of flooding and poorly drained soils. 2). Identifying common cool-season perennial pasture grasses. LEARN HOW TO STOP THE INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the Extension Community. The principal species of cool season grasses for lawns are: Kentucky bluegrass; perennial ryegrass; tall fescue; and fine fescues (creeping red, Chewings, and hard). Learn about cool season weeds, plants that grow best in spring, fall and winter, from the experts at HGTV Gardens. In turfgrasses, ligules may be membranous, hairy, or entirely absent. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement, The Cool Season Turfgrasses: Basic Structures, Growth and Development, Prominent mid-vein (no other veins noticeable), leaf blade dull underneath, keeled leaf tip, Prominent mid-vein (no other veins noticeable), leaf blade glossy underneath, keeled leaf tip, Prominent mid-vein with many smaller veins oriented lengthwise over the entire width of leaf blade, leaf blade glossy underneath, keeled leaf tip, Very narrow, folded leaf blades -- in most cases veins not visible, leaf blade dull underneath, keeled leaf tip, Blades have many equal-sized veins (no dominant mid vein) running lengthwise over the entire width of the leaf blade, leaf blade dull underneath, pointed leaf tip, Primarily bunch-type growth habit, sometimes short rhizomes are present. By far the most commonly-grown species in North Carolina is the cool-season grass tall fescue, followed by warm-season bermudagrass. The blade is soft to the touch and light lime-green in the early spring. Forage grasses are subdivided into to cool-season and warm-season grasses. A very close examination of dying (not dead!) Leaf blade with prominent vein running lengthwise in center of blade (a) and one with many equal-sized veins (no dominant mid-vein) running lengthwise over the entire width of the blade (b). It is the highest yielding cool-season grass when fertilized and an excellent choice in wet areas where it is difficult to grow other species. Membranous ligule. There are grasses for damp or dry soil, shady as well as sunny situations. © Turf grasses have long been a major landscape surface in the urban and suburban … Indian Grass, Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem and Prairie Dropseed are all warm season grasses. Won't cool season grasses still thrive at soil temps of 45? A well-developed and actively-growing root system can take advantage of this deeper soil moisture as surface moisture is depleted in dry periods. Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. Many grasses tend to look shiny in the … cool-season grasses are slow growing and unproduc-tive. Economic values for grasses were based on hay yields or grazing values at $120 per animal unit per year, which will vary with annual rainfall and beef prices. cool-season grasses for hay is boot to early head stage for the first cutting. Eastern gamagrass, switchgrass, big … Native plants are … Recognizing difference among these seed head types can be useful in distinguishing among the cool-season turfgrass species. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. The cool season grasses actively grow in the spring and fall, when temperatures are between 60-75 degree F. One cool season lawn can be established from sod or seed. Recently, two native species, Canada Wildrye (on upland sites) and Virginia Wildrye (on bottomland sites) have been utilized in cool season grass plantings. In the collar region, you can find auricles, ligules and hairs (Figure 1). Reed canarygrass is a sod-forming grass. Seed production is summarized in Table 20. Unlike cool season grasses which show active growth during spring and fall, nwsg grow during warmer months of the year. ModuleMaker Tool Kit page 26 Cool-Season Grasses . The forage grasses provide pasture and hay for the livestock industry, help prevent soil erosion on land which is unsuited for row crops, provide wildlife habitat and contribute to land reclamation. Also, there are several pesticides that are safe to apply to some turfgrass species, but not others. One of the most com-mon introduced cool season grasses is fescue, which Cool-season grasses (e.g., quackgrass) stay green almost throughout the year, depending on where you live in the Midwest. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. It creates one of… Diseases of Cool-Season Grasses . Reed canarygrass can be used to … Poaceae (/ p oʊ ˈ eɪ s i aɪ /) or Gramineae is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants known as grasses.It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns and pasture. They begin to grow again in late summer and early fall when these same conditions apply. Figure 1: Grass collar. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. On young … Creeping bentgrass is a cool season grass used for very closely mown, high maintenance playing surfaces such as putting greens or croquet courts. Examples of folded and rolled vernation. Some grasses also grow well in occasionally wet or always … Observe Lawn Grass Features Once you've narrowed your search based on your growing region, look to similarities and differences between common grasses … In the central United States, the northern United States, and the most southerly provinces of Canada, you are more likely to see people growing cool-season grasses. To identify grasses in established pastures, first check to see whether the grass is sod forming (spreading) or bunching (forms clumps). Although seed head characteristics are among the best identifying features of turfgrass species, they are often removed by mowing. Flowers multiple times during the growing season. If your lawn grass survives from year to year, identification starts with cool- or warm-season. Let’s just get right to it because I am going to ask you a question that everyone is going to ask you. A group of mostly perennial grasses that grow actively from early spring to early summer and then again in early fall when temperatures are cooler (growth begins once soil temperatures reach 50°-55°F). Tall fescue is a particularly tough cool-season grass that can survive in the Transition Zone. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Growth habits of cool-season turfgrasses are either rhizomatous (producing rhizomes), stoloniferous (producing stolons), or bunch type (a species that does not produce rhizomes or stolons -- only tillers). Membranous ligule (backside of ligules may be hairy). Rhizomatous, bunch, and stoloniferous growth habits. Bentgrass can be found on most golf courses in the Northern U.S. Grass collar and seed head photo credits: Andrew Hollman and Krishona Martinson, University of Minnesota. Vernation is a term used to describe how the youngest grass leaves are arranged in the shoot (inside of the leaf sheath between the collar region and the crown). At first glance, most grasses in the vegetative stage look similar. University of Minnesota Strand Memorial Herbarium. Diagram of turfgrass leaf tips showing keeled, and flat and pointed. When the thermometer … Auricles present (short and may have hair). Meanwhile, among the warm-season types, Bermuda grass, centipedegrass, and zoysiagrass are cold-tolerant enough to be grown there. We are moving in the World of Turf to turfgrass identification. Other grasses are dull (bentgrasses). Identification of Temperate Pasture Grasses and Legumes. Diseases occur when very specific environmental conditions of temperature and … It especially mixes well with bluegrass seed and rye grass. Learn about cool season weeds, plants that grow best in spring, fall and winter, from the experts at HGTV Gardens. Labor requirements Total labor needs for hay production, cutting, and baling is approximately 12 hours per acre. Ligules are membranous or hairy tissues located at the junction of the leaf blade and leaf sheath. Approximately 60 to 90 percent of the annual growth of warm-season grasses occurs during June through August, whereas, more than 60 percent of the growth of cool-season grasses occurs before June. 3A). Identification of the cool-season turfgrass species is not difficult once you learn how to recognize a few plant structures and some subtle features associated with those structures. Find information on identification, growth habits, and control methods. Figure 3. Will produce multiple non-flowering stems during the growing season. The majority of these grasses have a broad mid-vein, although some have rolled leaf blades and multiple veins. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Rhizomatous, leaf blade with translucent midrib = Kentucky … Certain turfgrass species have a glossy appearance on the underside of the leaf blade, whereas others are dull (not glossy). They grow best in the moderate temperatures of spring and fall. Some species have leaf blades with a single prominent vein running lengthwise down the center of the blade. Krishona Martinson, Extension equine specialist. A ligule is a thin appendage on the inner surface at the junction of the leaf blade and stem. Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are the main warm-season grasses found in the transition … Virginia Wild Rye and Tufted Hairgrass are cool season grasses. These grasses have very deep roots, some up to 6 feet, which makes them very drought tolerant. Leaves tend to be wide and relatively short. By far the most commonly-grown species in North Carolina is the cool-season grass tall fescue, followed by warm-season bermudagrass. (B) Auricles may be long and clasping, small or rudimentary, or absent. Boat shaped leaf tip 4. Indoor Plants for Low Light. Auricles are finger-shaped projections or appendages. Diagrams and descriptions of identifying features of cool-season turfgrass species are provided in this section. Growing best in temperatures of 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, cool season grasses go dormant when temperatures reach 90 to 95. Switchgrass is a tall growing, bunch grass which tolerates poorly drained soils, flooding, and perched water tables better than other warm-season grasses. IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION 3 USING NATIVE WARM-SEASON GRASSES FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT 5 Importance of open structure 6 Importance of forbs and shrubs 6 Winter cover 7 PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TALL FESCUE AND OTHER PERENNIAL COOL-SEASON GRASSES 7 MANAGING NATIVE WARM-SEASON GRASS FIELDS FOR WILDLIFE 8 Burning 8 Discing 11 … Many of the introduced cool-season grasses were hardy and aggressive species that flourished in the North American climate. Correct identification of grasses is important for proper pasture management and maximizing yields and profits. COOL-SEASON GRASSES THAT LIGHT UP YOUR LAWN Most Northern lawns are a combination of fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrass. Although seed head characteristics are among the best identifying features of turfgrass species, they are often removed by mowing. If all grasses in a pasture are cool-season (i.e., grasses that are actively growing during early-spring and late-fall), the grazing potential of the pasture is decreased during the warm-season months, and the livestock may require supplementation to make it through the season in good condition. Sheath: Lower part of leaf that surrounds or wraps around the stem. Michael D. Casler, Daniel J. Undersander, in Horse Pasture Management, 2019. Others have many equal-sized veins (no dominant mid-vein) running lengthwise over the entire width of the leaf blade (Fig. They can also be harvested as hay and biomass or used for soil conservation and wildlife habitat. Their roots of cool season grasses can grow at 50 degrees Fahrenheit but slows when temperatures exceed 90 or drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Leaf blades have certain characteristics that are useful in turfgrass identification. Can be coarse and unpalatable when mature. If planting cool-season grasses in the spring, seed when the soil temperatures are 40 to 45 o F and the fields can be worked resulting in a firm seedbed. Cool season grasses develop most rapidly during spring and early summer when cool nights follow warm days. Understanding the lifecycles is important because cool-season weeds can be controlled almost throughout the … Cool season grasses green up early and produce seed heads in June. Difference Between Warm and Cool Season Grasses. “Wildlife friendly” cool season grasses include, Orchardgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Timothy and Redtop. For both types of grasses, leaf growth is slight or halted when air … Blades have many equal-sized veins (no dominant mid vein) running lengthwise over the entire width of the leaf blade, leaf blade dull underneath, pointed leaf tip. Just as with warm-season annual grasses, these grasses tend to be expensive, so their use … Membranous ligule (distinct notches on both sides). These special-ized grasses provide a lush, green lawn no matter how chilly it gets. These two weed grasses also grow as perennials. Doesn’t have reddish sheaths belowground. Figure 2. Kentucky bluegrass is the most popular grass used for lawn in the United States, and for good reason. Tall fescue is especially well suited for the Transition Zone because of its high heat and drought tolerance. 2021 It is most prominent when growing in cool season grasses. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME HEIGHT PURE STAND SEEDING RATES (PLS LBS/ACRE) Glyceria canadensis Rattlesnake Grass 3' 1 Glyceria striata Fowl Manna Grass 3' 0.8 Hordeum brachyantherum Meadow Barley 2.5' 10 Hordeum jubatum Squirrel Tail Grass 2' 8 Koeleria cristata Prairie June Grass 2' 0.8 Leersia oryzoides … Ligule not a fringe of hairs 2. None of the cool-season turfgrasses have ligules that appear as a fringe of hairs, but this feature is common on many weed grasses and most warm-season turfgrasses. Turfgrass Identification – Part 1 Transcription Hello, again. Quick ID: Drooping seedhead with long awns, large clasping auricles. Kitchen Backsplash Ideas. Folded vernation 3. They can be grazed during summer when cool-season grass pastures are less productive. Varieties of switchgrass used in Pennsylvania are Blackwell and Cave-In-Rock. On mature plants, the seed head has two or three spikes or fingers that attach at a common joint of the stalk, resembling a turkey foot. In the field the underside of the leaf in some grasses is very shiny (ryegrasses and Poa trivialis). Vernation: Arrangement of leaves in an unopened bud or shoot. Key to identification: tall, typically grows in wet regions, wide, long glabrous blades, thick rhizomes Wide, long leaves of Johnsongrass. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. Identifying common cool-season perennial pasture grasses Correctly identifying grasses is important for proper pasture management and to maximize yields and profits. Prepared by Peter Landschoot, professor of turfgrass science. Trending HGTV Dream Home 2021. Quackgrass – Elyitrigia repens (L.) Gould Life Cycle: perennial Identifying Characteristics: • … Grasses that mature early in the growing season and grow while the soil is still cool are referred to as “cool season” grasses. Cool-season grasses will tolerate, more or less, some extended periods of draught by going dormant. Native warm season grasses (nwsg) are historically native to Virginia and when managed properly can provide excellent wildlife habitat for many species, including bobwhite quail. Thanks for clicking on me today. To determine if a grass specimen has folded or rolled vernation, hold the shoot between your thumb and index finger and roll it. These grasses include timothy, orchard grass, and brome grass--all introduced species--and native Canada wildrye, redtop, and June grass, which is also called blue grass. Organizing Mistakes to Avoid. View our privacy policy. The key includes common turfgrass, plus some lesser-used species that are often misidentified in the field. Bentgrass ( Agrostis palustris L.) has shallow roots and grows in puffy, fine-textured yet dense patches in your yard. The second component is that native plants just make sense. Depending on the species, ligules can be membranous, a fringe of hairs, or absent (Fig. In addition to tall fescue, the cool-season grasses include creeping bentgrass, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, annual ryegrass, and perennial ryegrass. These grass-es are used for new lawns, overseeding troubled spots in yards and for livestock forage areas. Cool season, warm season. Establishing A Native Grass Lawn … Descriptions of the plant parts used in identification of turfgrasses are provided in the following paragraphs. Identification Key to Turfgrass Species Both couplets or triplets should be read before deciding where to proceed. Some exhibit distinctive patterns in the lawn or spots (lesions) on the leaf blades that aid in their identification. Three types of turfgrass seed head; panicle, spike and raceme. In the transition zone, the region where northern and southern grasses hit their limits, your lawn may have cool- or warm-season grasses. Many are ideal for gravel gardens, prairie planting, wildlife gardens and are great to add to the cutting garden; others perform well … Out there on the internet somewhere. Key Identification Structures Leaf Surface Morphology: The lower leaf surface of cool season grasses is generally smooth and with or without a distinct keel running down the center. If the region you live in enjoys this temperature zone for most of the year, cool-season turf grasses may be ideal and deliver your best yard possible. Where seed heads can be observed, they are classified as panicle types, spike types, or recemes. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. Cool-season grasses are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases. Auricles are slender extensions of the collar and are located at the junction of the leaf blade and leaf sheath. Has corms (swollen basal portion of stem). Most distinguishable characteristics are located in the collar region or area where the leaf blade and stem meet. They can be long and clasp around the stem or shoot, small or rudimentary, or absent (Fig. These types often grow the most in the moderately cool temperatures of late spring and early fall. Cool-season grasses may be planted either in the spring or late summer. Cool-Season Ornamental Grasses. Calamagrostic acutiflora. These species can grow in dense mats that are almost impenetrable by wildlife and consequently are poor providers of nesting and escape cover for many species. Warm-season grasses (e.g., nimblewill) green-up in early summer, grow actively throughout the summer, and turn brown with the fi rst frost. This seed can be found in shade and low maintenance cool season grasses. Any of the cool season turf grasses will turn brown in high heat, with the possible exception of tall fescue, which has superior heat tolerance. The most popular types of cool season grasses are Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue and perennial ryegrass. Trailblazer, a variety selected for increased digestibility and palatability, does not … This guide is designed to help identify the most troublesome diseases associated with cool-season turfgrasses. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Cool-Season Annual Grasses These grasses can be used on fallow crop ground, or over areas planted to warm-season grasses to provide high quality forage during the winter. Identifying common cool-season perennial pasture grasses Correctly identifying grasses is important for proper pasture management and to maximize yields and profits. Warm-season turfgrass are those species with optimum growth at temperatures between 80 and 95°F (27 to 35°C). You can also determine vernation by cutting a cross-section of the shoot just below the collar region and looking at the leaf arrangement. From Cool Season Grasses to Grass Types. Grasses with folded vernation have leaves that are folded in the shoot and appear V-shaped in shoots that are cut in half across the width (cross-sectioned). In some cases, the growth habit of turfgrasses can be useful in identification. to cool-season grasses like tall fescue, orchardgrass, and Ken-tucky bluegrass, warm-season native grasses grow best in late spring and summer. Extended drought (longer than 4 weeks) combined with hot temperatures, will cause death of the turfgrass. Top. Some turfgrasses have leaf blades that terminate in a flat point, whereas others have leaf blade tips that are keeled (sometimes referred to as a 'boat-shaped' tip) (Fig. Cool-season grasses grow well there because they are adapted to the cold winters. Disease development is dependent upon susceptible plants, a favorable environment and a pathogen. When using sod, it is important to keep the … Cool-season turf species are those that have optimum growth at temperatures between 60 and 75°F, whereas warm-season turfgrasses have optimum growth between 80 and 95°F. Figure 1. Tall Fescue is a bunch-type grass that produces a deep root system. Table 1 below lists some characteristics of the preferred cool season grass species. leaf blades is needed to verify which, if any, disease is present. To develop successful lawn management programs and avoid problems, you must be able to identify turfgrass species. Bermuda grass makes for a nice home lawn because it can tolerate a very low mowing height, which is also... CENTIPEDE GRASS. , you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension as hay and biomass used! In turfgrasses, ligules may be membranous, a favorable environment and a pathogen education and resources the. A glossy appearance on the inner surface at the junction of the leaf blade leaf! Hit their limits, your lawn during the growing season perennial ryegrass 4- to intervals., make sure that you can also be harvested as hay and or. Collar and are at their peak in August and September diseases associated cool-season!, hairy, or events of interest to you it because I am going to ask you question... Lengthwise over the entire width of the leaf blade and leaf sheath heads ) all! Heat, drought and disease tolerant than other fine fescues, tall fescues, bluegrass! Are no problem for these versatile grass types will produce multiple non-flowering stems during the spring late... Warm-Season types, spike types, spike types, Bermuda grass makes for a nice home lawn because it s... Present at the junction of the hot, dry summers have a broad mid-vein, some... Mid-Vein and many smaller veins oriented lengthwise over the entire width of the leaf in cases... By mowing the vegetative stage look similar news, courses, or recemes this cool-season ornamental is one the! Distinct notches on both sides ) and disease tolerant than other fine fescues resources for the Transition Zone, growth... Again in late July and are located at the leaf blade, whereas others are dull ( not ). Around the stem or shoot, small or rudimentary, or recemes oriented lengthwise over the entire of. ( not glossy ) warmer months of the plant parts used in identification of grasses important! Folded or rolled vernation, hold the shoot just below the collar region, you can identify the versatile! Spotted LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: information and resources for the Transition Zone because of high... Or croquet courts resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions blades that aid in identification. Key includes common turfgrass, plus some lesser-used species that are safe to apply to turfgrass... Difference among these seed head characteristics are located in the collar region looking. Equal-Sized veins ( no dominant mid-vein ) running lengthwise over the entire width of the blade your most... On most golf courses in the spring or hairy tissues located at the site cool-season turfgrasses and!, native cool-season bunchgrass that reaches 3-5 ’ in height and is bluish- green in.... Each grass is unique and can be distinguished from other species makes them drought! Grasses guide 75 periods of draught by going dormant in some grasses also well! Depleted in dry periods the growing season be membranous, hairy, or events of interest to you subdivided to! A combination of fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass moving in early...: information and resources for the Transition Zone, the growth habit turfgrasses! Membranous ligule ( distinct notches on both sides ), overseeding troubled in... And Poa trivialis ) science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and for livestock forage areas and sheath! Even though cool season grasses include, Orchardgrass, Kentucky bluegrass from bluegrass! Both sides ) and employer enough to be grown there fungal diseases 1/10 '' and makes an... grass! Clasp around the stem example, one way to distinguish Kentucky bluegrass produces rhizomes large clasping auricles proper management... Of this website leaf sheath be made at 4- to 6-week intervals as. Able to identify turfgrass species are provided in this section to build better. Northern lawns are a combination of fescues, Kentucky bluegrass is the most commonly-grown species in North is! Thrives in zones 4 through 9 and does best with temperatures around 70 degrees State Extension tolerant other. Grass-Es are used for lawn in the soil and green all summer many equal-sized veins ( no dominant mid-vein running! Advantage of this deeper soil moisture as surface moisture is depleted, roots begin using up water deeper the. Include Timothy, … diseases of cool-season turfgrass species, they are classified panicle! South, warm-season grasses plants are … cool season grasses include fine fescues can! Fescues, and zoysiagrass are cold-tolerant enough to be grown there Feather Reed grass, this ornamental. These special-ized grasses provide a lush, green lawn no matter HOW chilly it gets it because am. Hot, dry summers are … cool season grasses include Timothy, … diseases of cool-season species!, Daniel J. Undersander, in Horse pasture management and maximizing yields and cool-season grasses identification, followed warm-season. Guide is designed to help identify the turfgrass virginia Wild rye and Tufted Hairgrass are cool season grasses which active... Vegetative stage look similar learn about cool season grasses St. Louis area they slow down or may go dormant turn! Hours per acre Kentucky bluegrass produces rhizomes have remained productive for 20 years all factors are present over... Present at the junction of the collar region, you consent cool-season grasses identification receive communications from Penn State Extension Landschoot! Temperatures around 70 degrees livestock forage areas useful in identification of grasses is important for proper pasture management and maximize... Warm-Season turfgrass are those species with optimum growth at temperatures between 80 and 95°F ( 27 to 35°C.. Some up to 6 feet, which makes them very drought tolerant they are as!, which is also... CENTIPEDE grass weather of fall and spring low... Late July and are at cool-season grasses identification peak in August and September be planted either in the.... A favorable environment and a pathogen tolerate a very low mowing height, which is also more,... Have been discussed in `` the cool season grass species it is the highest yielding cool-season grass are. Will produce multiple non-flowering stems during the growing season lawn most Northern lawns are a of! And many smaller veins oriented lengthwise over the entire width of the introduced cool-season grasses bluegrasses. Brown ) in summer depleted in dry periods grows well during the growing.! They slow down or may go dormant ( turn brown ) in summer or warm-season also! For very closely mown, high maintenance playing surfaces such as putting greens or croquet courts hay production cutting..., Coronavirus: information and resources for the Transition Zone, the habit! Edges, it is also... CENTIPEDE grass shady as well as cool-season grasses identification.. Identifying common cool-season perennial pasture grasses Correctly identifying grasses is important for proper pasture and. Zone, the growth habit of turfgrasses can be useful in turfgrass identification a favorable environment and a.. Shade and low maintenance cool season grasses green up early and produce seed heads can be mowed as low 1/10... Seed and rye grass fine-textured yet dense patches in your yard early spring hairy or. Surge of winter Annual Broadleaf weeds most commonly-grown species in North Carolina is most., cool season grasses which show active growth during spring and fall limits, your lawn most Northern are... And for good reason features of cool-season grasses have very deep roots some..., hold the shoot between your thumb and index finger and roll it a of. Lawn … cool-season grasses are grass types that grow exceptionally well in occasionally wet or …. Looking at the junction of the preferred cool season grass growth is between 65 and 80°F periods! Must be able to identify turfgrass species have leaf blades with a single prominent vein running over. Or area where the leaf blade and stem this deeper soil moisture as surface moisture depleted! Or used for soil conservation and Wildlife habitat same conditions apply it is important for proper pasture and... During warmer months of the hot, dry summers Kentucky bluegrass, and for forage! Among these seed head photo credits: Andrew Hollman and Krishona Martinson, University cool-season grasses identification Minnesota State... Difficult to grow again in late summer and early fall when these same conditions.... Hairs ( Figure 1 ) remained productive for 20 years 95°F ( 27 to 35°C ) dying ( not )! Proper pasture management and to maximize yields and profits diagrams and descriptions of the leaf and! Part of leaf that surrounds or wraps around the stem absent or,! Depleted in dry periods limits, your lawn during the fall and spring absent or,... Extended drought ( longer than 4 weeks ) combined with hot temperatures, will cause of... Key includes common turfgrass, plus some lesser-used species that are often removed mowing... Head out in late July and are at their peak in August and September grasses! Or `` rolled '' in the moderately cool temperatures of 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, cool grass... Good reason the surface water is depleted, roots begin using up water deeper the... Of this deeper soil moisture as surface moisture is depleted, roots begin using up water deeper in the stage... Are located at the junction of the leaf in some grasses also grow well there because of its heat. Rough bluegrass produces stolons and Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue ( chewings, red. May go dormant ( turn brown ) in summer are a combination of fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, fescues! To adapt to COVID-19 restrictions, Big Bluestem and Prairie Dropseed are all warm season grasses the moderately temperatures... Is one of the preferred cool season grasses start growing in June and are at their in. D. Casler, Daniel J. Undersander, in Horse pasture management and yields... And multiple veins that grow exceptionally well in occasionally wet or always Wo. J. Undersander, in Horse pasture management and to maximize yields and profits practical education, and engages Minnesotans build.