The natural grass is a good choice to decorate a garden, protect the soil and even produce oxygen, although we must not forget that it requires a series of care. Which one best suits your garden? Next we give you all the keys.
The keys
The climate, the land and the use to be made to the lawn determine the type of seed that can be planted in the garden.
There are different varieties to plant depending on the area and the needs or use that will be made of the lawn and if the area is going to be very stepped or little stepped on.
The possible mixtures of seeds are counted by tens. The indications of the manufacturer regarding the selection and care of planting are key for
best grass seed to look at its best.
LAWN SPECIES
The most common species are the following.
- English Ray grass: It is the most used (it is in almost all seed mixtures) for its high resistance to footsteps, high temperatures (although the shade does not favor it) and its rapid growth (after 7 days you can see results) and easy installation. It needs constant irrigation, mowing and fertilizers to maintain its greenness. It is used in all areas, that is, sports fields, public and private gardens.
- Festuca: It is a dense lawn, very resistant to trampling, adverse conditions and diseases. It has more than 200 different species and its seed is not planted alone but in combination with others such as English Ray grass. Ideal for rustic lawns, slopes (inclined terrains) and requires little maintenance. Hold up high temperatures well.
- Poa: It is present in most of the seeds for lawns. It originates a blue-green lawn, it is very resistant to wear, to drought, but slow in its implantation. Designed for cold climates, it does not need much light.
- Gram or bermuda (cynodon): It is a lawn of fine and dense leaves, warm type (in winter it is yellow), ideal for dry land, Mediterranean and southern areas. It needs the sun, it is resistant to extreme temperatures and footsteps. They need less water than any other (it only needs to be watered in dry seasons). Its advantage is its easy maintenance, since it resists drought well. Their disadvantages, they do not tolerate the shade and its slow growth; that is why it is mixed with another faster seed.
- Dichondra repens: These are leaves similar to clover, without much height. Ideal for areas where little is stepped on. It is used in temperate zones, sheltered and, above all, humid (it resists well the shade although with the cold it turns brown). It is usually combined with other species that resist the cold to avoid areas with clearings in winter.
- Japanese: It is also an alternative to common grass, composed of mixed grass seeds and flowers. Suitable for sowing in dry areas and slopes (inclined terrain). It spends less water and is very resistant to trampling, high temperatures, shade and diseases. It requires the same preparation as dichondra and it is not advisable to mow it.
- Dwarf clover: It is also an alternative to common grass; It adapts to any floor and it can measure 20 cm. His life is long and easy to maintain. It does not resist frosts or droughts. Ideal for low fertility and fairly humid soils.
THE CLIMATE, KEY TO THE LAWN
At the time of choosing the lawn that you are going to plant it is advisable to be guided by the recommendations of the producer regarding the recommended area and climate. It is the best guarantee of success to achieve a green and healthy meadow. The area and climate determine the type of lawn to be planted. There are seeds for warm and cold weather conditions; seeds that require little water or that can withstand the shade well.
- For warm areas, we recommend the rustic lawn, the dichondra repens, the grass, the dry land.
- For wet areas, the poa is the most recommended. The mix to choose from can be the shade lawn.
- For all types of climates they serve the species English Ray grass, fescue and poa. The mixtures that are classified in this section are the universal, the repoblador, the ornamental, the grass of green area, the sports one, the dwarf clover, the one of economy, the English turf and the Japanese.
LAWN USES
As we have seen in the classification, depending on whether you want a decorative lawn, flower, rustic, repoblador or sports will choose a combination of seeds or another.
- Use as a sports area: Requires that it be resistant to footfalls. The English Ray-grass is ideal.
- Everyday use, but does not require excessive maintenance. It has to be resistant, dense and does not get up quickly.
- Exclusively decorative use: It is what is known as ornamental, thinner and denser.
WHEN TO SOW THE GRASS?
It can be done all year round, except during very cold, hot and dry seasons. March, April and September are the most recommended months because temperatures are moderate. Once planted it is necessary to wait between 7 and 10 days to be able to step on the ground.