The Best Type of Grass Seed For Your Minneapolis Lawn

Our lawns get a lot of use over time. We work on them, play on them, relax on them, and enjoy our friends and family on them. But with all that activity, sometimes we overlook the most important component of a great lawn: the grass itself. How do you know what kind of grass you have on your lawn right now, and how do you know if it’s the best type for your yard? 

Start With Cool-Season Grasses

Minnesota is in the cool-season grass zone, meaning the best grass species to grow are ones that are able to tolerate cool fall and spring weather, very cold winters, and moderately warm summers. Cool-season grasses grow best when temperatures are between 65 and 80 degrees, so spring and fall will be the primary growing season for your lawn. The best time to plant new grass in your lawn or to overseed after aeration is during the fall when temperatures are still warm enough for the grass seed to germinate and establish a healthy plant but cool enough that the young seedlings won’t be too stressed by heat. 

Picking The Right Type Of Grass For Your Minneapolis Yard

There are a variety of cool-season grasses you could choose to grow on your lawn, but each has different strengths and weaknesses. Depending on how much foot traffic your lawn experiences, how well it drains after a rainstorm, what color and texture you want your grass to be, and many other factors, you may need a specific type of grass or even a blend of several types to achieve your ideal lawn. The most common types of cool-season grasses are: 

• Tall fescues: Dark green, fine-textured leaves that grow densely and are quite sturdy. Tall fescue grasses love sunny areas and hold up well under hot, dry conditions with proper watering. However, grass growth can become thin over time and takes a while to recover when damaged by foot traffic or other heavy use. 
• Perennial ryegrass: dense, non-spreading, bunchy grass growth that is bright green in color and has a medium leaf texture. Perennial ryegrass grows quickly and can stand up to a lot of foot traffic, but is not the best choice for shady areas or under drought and extreme cold conditions. This species is typically used as part of a mixture with other slower-growing grass types. 
• Kentucky bluegrass: known as the “king of lawn grasses,” with a fine texture, dense growth, and dark green color. Kentucky bluegrass recovers well from heavy traffic damage and tolerates both shade and sun. However, this species doesn’t do well under extreme heat and can struggle under intense winter cold conditions. 
• Fine fescues: fine-textured dark green leaves with a dense growth pattern. While fine fescue varieties can tolerate acidic soil as well as drought and shade very well, they don’t hold up well under a lot of foot traffic, drought conditions, or poor drainage.

Keep Your Minneapolis Yard Looking Great With A Comprehensive Lawn Care Program

After picking out the best grass type or grass seed blend for your yard, the next most important thing to do is invest in a high-quality lawn care program like the one offered by Showcase Lawn Care. While you can do your best to pick a great grass seed that fits the unique conditions of your lawn, problems like disease, weeds, fungus, pests, and weather events can always crop up. The best defense against these kinds of problems is a lawn care program that provides your lawn with all the tools it needs to survive: nourishments from fertilizer, preventative protection against pests and weeds, and as-needed treatment for disease and fungus that can wreck your yard. 

For A Healthy, Beautiful Lawn in Minneapolis, Call, Showcase Lawn Care

Whether you’ve decided on a certain type of grass for your Minneapolis area lawn or you’re sticking with what you’ve got already, it can take a lot of work to make sure your grass stays healthy, and your yard looks full. So call the Showcase Lawn Care experts to ensure your lawn is getting all the attention it needs throughout the year. Our customizable lawn care program in Minneapolis focuses on fertilization, with weed control, aeration and overseeding, grub control, and all-natural options so you can get the best treatment for your unique yard and grass species.

Fill out our contact form, or give us a call at 763-415-7383 to get started today!