How Much Grass Is There

The tell-tale signs of summer are booming all effectually us – flowers are growing, leaves are sprouting on bushes and trees, and the grass is in one case again turning a luscious green.

Grass. Information technology'due south something we accept for granted a lot of the time. Every person has experienced rolling downwardly a grassy loma, or opening a window to bask in the scent of a freshly cut backyard. For many people, grass plays a vital function in summer days but how much do we really know nigh it? Aside from the feeling of it equally y'all've played barefoot or stretched out to read on the backyard – have yous ever really thought about what information technology really is?

What Makes Grass Grass

"Grass" is a species of institute that has a number of specific characteristics including long, narrow leaves and roots that abound close together over a big space. The actual definition is, "vegetation consisting of typically short plants with long, narrow leaves, growing wild or cultivated on lawns and pastures, and equally provender crop".

Prarie Grass

This ways that what y'all think of every bit beingness grass is actually just i variety in the grass family. The lawn at your house has grass every bit much every bit the prairie fields of long tall grasses are also grass. Information technology's like calling a blossom a flower, without noting that there are really thousands of unlike varieties out there. The aforementioned is true for grass.

Varieties of Grass

There are over 12,000 different grass species spread across all the different regions and climates of the earth. In North America lonely, at that place is the northeast, midwest, southeast, deep south and gulf declension, southwest, pacific northwest, and transition region for grasses. Many of the grasses institute in the U.s.a. actually came from other parts of the world.

Native Grasses to North America

Of the thousands of species out there, there are a few hundred species that are native to North America . Grasses grow predominantly in the prairie lands in the form of tall grasses. However, other species such equally reeds, junegrass and beach grass are popular and native to North America.

What is the difference between a lawn, turf and grass?

Grass refers to the found itself while a lawn is used to refer to the surface area at the front or back of a house, or grass that is grown on any other commercial or residential land. Turf is some other term used in association to grass. Turf, even so, is used to describe a sports field or golf course. Turf is ordinarily maintained by horticulturalists with a much higher standard of maintenance and care in heed.

Turf

Changing the Grass in Your Lawn

There are a number of reasons to change the grass on your property. The colour could be as well green or too blue for your liking or the texture isn't fluffy enough. Maybe information technology requires too much water or brows too easily in the estrus. Whatever the reason, the grass you take doesn't have to be the grass you're stuck with.

It can be a lot of work but it is possible to alter the grass in your yard. The first step is to clear your yard of the existing grass. Roundup or another form of grass killer or but digging it upwardly can work depending on your capabilities and preference. This should be done a few weeks before you programme to plant your new grass. Use this time to research what kind of grass you desire and to get the proper seeds.

Grass by dirt — Image borrowed fromPennington.

Handling of the soil afterwards this process can assistance your new grass thrive. Aerating the soil, adding some new lawn soil, raking information technology apartment, and filling in any dips or depression spots will help ensure that your new backyard is to your liking. And so, sew together your seeds and h2o and fertilize information technology as needed. Proper care of the seed while information technology grows will brand all the difference.

Popular Lawn Grass for Northward American Lawns

Within Due north America, there are thousands of grass varieties only a select few rise to the top as popular choices for home lawns and customs spaces. Interestingly, none of these popular varieties actually originated in the Usa. While large fields don't really have much say on what kind of grass grows at that place, new home builds or those looking to refurbish their lawns could very well choose a specific kind of grass.

Here are some of the nearlypopular grasses in North America.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky Bluegrass is really not native to North America despite it being one of the most popular grasses for golf courses and campsites. Native to Europe and northern Asia, this grass type was adopted as a pop pasture grass in Kentucky. In fact, the country of Kentucky is nicknamed the Bluegrass Land.

When properly maintained this grass develops a very thick and lush backyard which is what makes it and then popular as a turfgrass for golf game courses and sports fields for northern states. It does it's best in libation climates and nigh of its growth happens in the jump and fall.

Bahiagrass

Existence found in the southeastern region of the US, bahiagrass is extremely drought and heat resistant. This resistance comes from its deep root system that does not rely solely on surface-area moisture to grow. This grass type is valued in regions where lawns and grasses don't normally thrive. It's pop in agriculture, conservation and erosion control efforts because of its deep roots.

Bahiagrass

Thriving in full sun, this grass will grow a thick carpet, much like Kentucky bluegrass. Information technology's stiff plenty for foot traffic, tolerates poor soil conditions and doesn't need much fertilizer. It is known to spread into gardens so exist prepared to do some weeding if you like your flowerbeds.

Carpeting Grass

Also known equally flat grass, carpet grass is a warm-season grass found in lawns, pastures, along roads and in woods. Information technology was brought to the states in the 1800s from the West Indies and tin now exist establish from Texas to Florida and up to Virginia and Arkansas.

Rug grass is popular since it grows well in wet and poorly drained soil. That existence said, information technology requires water and doesn't do well in dry soil or cold temperatures. Information technology'south low maintenance and tin can just be left to grow.

Bermudagrass

Much similar bahiagrass, bermudagrass does well in high heat and droughts. It is a hearty grass that withstands foot traffic and repetitive utilise. If information technology does endure any kind of damage, it recuperates quickly. Safe to say, information technology'south a pretty solid type of grass which makes it 1 of the about pop in the USA for lawns as well as sports fields and turfs.

Found in over 100 countries effectually the world bermudagrass extends in the US from New Jersey and Maryland southward to Florida and west to Kansas and Texas. It can also be found in New United mexican states, Arizona and California.

Careers in Grass

Grass is evidently non a simple affair. From the varieties to intendance and maintenance, taking care of the earth'due south blanket is more circuitous than ane might call back. This is especially true when information technology comes to specific care for sports fields, golf courses and other high-profile lawns. It'due south no surprise that turf and lawn care is a specific kind of career with specific preparation.

Horticulturalists, turf direction, gardeners and landscaping are just a few examples of careers that deal with grass and lawn management. At that place are specific courses, degrees and diplomas that teach turf management, landscaping and lawn intendance.

Person Trimming Bush in a Landscape Career

To learn more virtually careers in landscaping and how to get started, check out the DirtStories podcast with Brent Giles.

Grass is a Bigger Topic Than You Think

Virtually 71% of the planet is h2o . Of the 29% left, xx% of it is grass. For something that takes upwardly so much of the world, many of us know very lilliputian almost it. From the specific types to the different climates each is all-time suited for, in that location'due south much more to grass than you may originally recollect.

Grass

Do yous know what kind of grass is growing in your yard? Try to figure it out! At that place's a handy guide from Pennington that can help you get started.

Tim Forestell

Tim Forestell is one of DOZR's co-founders and CCO. Tim got started in the manufacture as VP Operations for Forestell Landscaping earlier founding DOZR with Kevin and Erin. Aside from the astonishing squad at DOZR, his favourite thing about DOZR are the customers. Working with DOZR renters every day gives him a peek at the evolution of different projects and hearing stories about projects being developed from commencement to stop.