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Cool Season Grasses
On average, cool season areas have cold winters (with temperatures that fall below freezing and warm/hot summers.
Usually there are regular intervals of rain throughout the summer months, but grasses will tolerate some extended periods of draught by going dormant, or may require some lawn irrigation to remain green throughout extended periods without rain.
Durable cool-season grasses include the most popular - Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye, tall and fine fescues. New blends of the turf-type tall fescues are also becoming more widespread.
Identifying cool season grasses:
Textures
Look at the grass' texture to tell it from other types. Coarse tall fescue's big blades and bunching characteristics look rougher than bluegrass and rye's narrow, fine leaves. If your grass has thin, needlelike leaves it is probably a fine fescue.
Colors
Kentucky bluegrass is true green like fine fescue, but turns brown easily during hot weather. Look for new cultivars of tall fescues noted for their reliable dark green even in summer, and perennial ryes that sprout bright green, then darken. See an old lawn with dead patches? Think bent grass, now popular only on golf courses because of its high maintenance requirements.
Growth habits
Rye and tall fescue sprout and take over quickly compared with bluegrass and fine fescue. Most fescues are likely to bunch up, however, new varieties of fescue are less likely to do this.
Tall fescue needs little additional irrigation and stands up to regular use as on a playground. Bluegrass needs regular irrigation to survive extended hot-dry periods.
Typical Cool Season Grasses
Kentucky Blue Grass
Turf-Type Tall Fescue
Tall Fescues
Fine Fescues
Rye
Creeping grasses like bluegrass, Bermuda and most warm season grasses spread by above- or below-ground runners. Creeping varieties are more prone to thatch.
Bunch grasses such as fescue and ryegrass spread from the crown of the plant. Mowing high protects the crown and ensures the survival of the grass.
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