Which is hardier? Which survive better in the
long-run? We don't really care about the "softness" of
the grass. We will be "hand-watering" (i.e., no
sprinklers), if that's a consideration.
Thanks,
Debra
Actually, it's something someone won on a local radio
contest and since she can't use it, she offered it to
me. We have our choice of these 2 kinds of sod. Both
are grown locally for our climate, and the company is
reputable (and big-- they supply a lot of the
Nevada-grown plants for the nurseries here).
We only can have a small lawn in front (of grass, that
is) and that's fine with me, since I have a ton of
other things I want to plant.
Debra
--- Deborah Green
Debra,
A few years back a sod company here (in Meridian, I think) started pushing
Dura Turf which is a dwarf, narrow-bladed fescue. They say it puts down
roots to 6' and can be watered deeply and only once a week if you have
clay-ish soils.
I haven't heard how it's working here, but just looked in the phone book
and notice they're still advertising it. Margaret, have you heard anything
about it?
Barb in Idaho
PLEASE check with Extension before you sink time and money into grass...are
these really what people plant there?
Debbie
-----Original Message-----
From: Gardens & Gardening [mailto:GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU] On Behalf Of Debra
Widera
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 6:32 PM
To: GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Fescue vs. Kentucky blue grass
Which is hardier? Which survive better in the
long-run? We don't really care about the "softness" of
the grass. We will be "hand-watering" (i.e., no
sprinklers), if that's a consideration.
Thanks,
Debra
That's what I was going to recommend, as that's how I chose which grass to
plant here in Kentucky. Guess what? It wasn't KY Bluegrass! It's
considered higher maintenance, and the extension agent said it would be
better for a small lawn in town. For our 10 acres out in the country, he
said KY 31 Fescue would compete better with all the weeds. Also, he said it
would do better with our poor clay soil.
Fall's a good time to get a soil test and sow grass in a lot of places, but
I'd check with a local expert (such as the extension agent).
I'll probably be reseeding this fall again. Every time I do it, the bare
patches get a little smaller, and the weeds get crowded out a little more.
Of course, there are quicker, more expensive methods. Someone mentioned
"power seeding" to me. Evidently you rent a machine which cuts slits in the
soil and puts seeds in at the same time. Supposed to get really good
germination that way.
Elizabeth
tiarella@bellsouth.net
Zone 6, KY
Gardens Co-listowner
www. gardenerscorner.com/notes.html
grass...are
Debra
This has information on lawns in Nevada:
http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/SpecPubs/SP9302.htm
Martha
Actually, it's something someone won on a local radio
contest and since she can't use it, she offered it to
me. We have our choice of these 2 kinds of sod. Both
are grown locally for our climate, and the company is
reputable (and big-- they supply a lot of the
Nevada-grown plants for the nurseries here).
We only can have a small lawn in front (of grass, that
is) and that's fine with me, since I have a ton of
other things I want to plant.
Debra
--- Deborah Green
I don't know about your locality but Kentucky Blue Grass is a high
maintenance grass requiring lots of water. I have tall fescue which
requires less water and mowing.
Karen in Pittsburgh, PA (zone 5b/6)
On Tue, 5 Aug 2003 15:46:38 -0700 Debra Widera
writes:
Kentucky Blue has a bad reputation in Boise because it's prone to disease,
insects, etc., and is not as drought tolerant of some of the fescues. Do
you know what kind of fescue it would be? There are some dwarf fescues
that develop deep roots, are very drought tolerant. Were I you, I'd choose
the fescue. You're on the brink of desert too. Margaret L
Yes, it's supposed to be good. It does require normal maintenance such as
raking leaves off periodically or else you get these bare spots such as we
have in our @#$% front lawn. I guess the message is DH is not a
GP. Margaret L
GP .... Good Person? Greens Pro?
Gardening Partner. Margaret L
Thanks, Karen for the suggestion. Actually, Buffalo
grass wouldn't work in our spot: doesn't like sand
(which is what our yards are ;-) But, it's given me
some ideas what to look for. Also, I'm thinking of
using a very popular xeriscape technique for
groundcover in this area: thyme (hardy variety grown
for Nevada). It should smell good, require less water,
etc., than regular grass.
Thanks again for getting my brain to work-- I think
I'm suffering from new-house-overload: at the end of
the work day, I just want to go home and eat ice cream
instead of have to think about much of anything right
now!
Debra (in No. Nevada-- Cold Springs, zone 6b)
--- karen swaine
I'm sorry but I can't rcall - aren't you in Nevada??
If yes, you should be thinking about BUFFALO GRASS -- see the latest catalog
from High Country Gardens.
Recommended for western states, dry areas, etc.
karen in NJ
