The best composition for lawn grass. Types and characteristics of lawn grasses

The functional “responsibilities” of a lawn can be compared to the purpose of a living room in a house. In addition to decorative purposes, this part suburban area Can serve as a place for children's games or picnics. In this article we will talk about the correct selection and planting of lawn grass.

It should immediately be noted that green lawn has the ability to improve the microclimate of a suburban area thanks to:

effective fight against airborne bacteria;
excellent absorption of dust and vibrations;
reducing the costs of eliminating weeds.

But creating a beautiful, healthy lawn takes a little effort and time. At the initial stage, you will need some knowledge about the types lawn grass. After all, they are the basis for creating a high-quality lawn.

Depending on the timing of growth, there are three main types of herbs:

annuals;
two-year-olds;
perennial

Annual plants live only one year. After the seeds ripen, all above-ground and underground organs die off. These include annual ryegrass and bluegrass.

Biennial grasses (multifloral ryegrass, hop alfalfa) are characterized by the formation of stems, leaves and roots in the first year of life, and fruit-bearing shoots (fruits, seeds and flowers) in the second year.

Concerning perennial herbs, then their development phase includes:

death of shoots in the first year;
the appearance of buds at the roots of plants;
shoots growing from these buds next year;
annual vegetative renewal of the root system.

Most a good decision will be sowing perennial grasses in the area. Their most important characteristic is life cycle. It depends on the speed of flowering of grasses. Maximum term have plants that are characterized by slow development from germination to flowering. These include:

bentgrass;
red fescue;
meadow bluegrass.

Grows quite quickly:

pasture wheatgrass;
rootless wheatgrass;
multicolor ryegrass;
comb

Very important criterion for lawn grass is the degree of development of the root system. Based on this characteristic, plants are divided into:

loose bush;
rhizomatous;
rhizomatous-loose bushes;
taproot;
dense bush.

In loose-bush grasses (meadow fescue, wild grass, rhizomatous wheatgrass, most types of ryegrass), the root system is located near the earth's surface. They have one tillering node and an aboveground spreading bush that produces many shoots.

Rhizomatous plants (white bentgrass, bluegrass, meadow foxtail and several types of red fescue) are characterized by close proximity root shoot to the surface of the earth. Underground shoots have several nodes at once. Due to the rapid growth of the new root system, stems appear and the constant presence of herbage occurs during long period time.

Rhizome-loose-bush grasses such as red fescue, meadow bluegrass and bentgrass have long and short roots. This leads to a dense and uniform settlement of the soil. In most cases, these plants are the basis for creating a high-quality lawn.

Taproot herbs include red and white clover, blue alfalfa, horned butterfly and sainfoin. Their distinctive feature is the presence of a dominant shoot, which is located near the surface of the earth. The growth of young shoots occurs on a large tap root, which becomes thicker every year and penetrates the soil to its maximum depth. These plants are attractive lush bush, not requiring special care.

The tillering point of dense bush grasses (furrowed fescue, sheep fescue, white fescue) is located above the ground surface. New shoots are attached to old shoots. When grass grows, hummocks appear. For this reason, sowing and caring for densely bushy plants is done very carefully.

There is another classification of lawn grasses, which depends on the height of the shoots. Plants are distinguished:

upper tier;
middle link;
lower tier.

The upper tier consists of light-loving herbs. They have thick stems reaching up to 1 m in height. These lawn grasses include:

sainfoin;
creeping wheatgrass;
a boneless fire;
narrow-haired wheatgrass.

Mid-tier plants (yellow alfalfa, hybrid clover, perennial ryegrass, meadow timothy, meadow fescue) reach a height of up to 0.6-1 m. The main advantage of their use is that after cutting they begin to bush well. And this makes the lawn more attractive.

When creating the lower tier, grasses are used that have thin stems and grow up to 0.7 m. These include:

meadow bluegrass;
red fescue;
white clover;
horned frog;
bentgrass

After mowing them, a dense, squat covering is formed.

Particularly popular is planting lawn grass, which is a mixture of plants. Moreover, mixtures of herbs are produced for different climatic and soil characteristics of the area.

The most universal of them is lawn composition"Lilliputian". It consists of seven components that are highly resistant to many environmental factors:

3 types of red fescue (Reverent, Olive, Independence) – 55%;
Brooklawn meadow bluegrass – 20%;
Helena red hairy fescue – 10%;
fine Highland bentgrass – 10%;
bentgrass Kato – 5%.

The variety of lawns and the distinctive features of proper coverage

There are two main types of lawns:

special;
decorative.

The former are also called sports surfaces. They are designed for sports and children's games. Sports turf is resistant to increased loads. It can host friendly matches in football, tennis, field hockey and badminton.

The main goal of a decorative lawn is to create a stylish and harmonious landscape design. Moral satisfaction and attractive aesthetic properties are the main advantages of decorative coatings for humans.

It is these two qualities that make the second type of lawn more in demand. Moreover, there is plenty to choose from. Decorative lawns are divided into:

parterres;
Moorish;
roll;
meadow

Parterre flat lawn coverings have an excellent landscape. They will look great around flower beds and along long alleys. It is not advisable to walk on the parterre lawns. Therefore, they act only as original decorative elements.

Moorish lawns are non-standard and elegant coverings. They consist of flowering summer plants no more than 0.5 m high. This type the lawn does not require close attention. The main thing is timely watering of the site. Coverage renewal occurs once a year.

Rolled lawn coverings are suitable for those owners of a country plot who are interested in quickly creating a picturesque green lawn. They are distinguished by simple installation technology. Load-resistant rolled lawn need to:

deliver to the installation site;
spread out correctly;
compact and water.

The main purpose of meadow lawns is to plant grass in areas with huge area. Moreover, not only grass is planted in the ground, but also various garden flowers. The presence of backlight will create favorable conditions in winter.

Regardless of the type of lawn covering, it must meet a number of requirements. The main criteria for installing a proper lawn are:

effective weed control;
normal growth after applying mineral fertilizers;
resistance to freezing and disease;
the fastest possible process of plant rooting;
the presence of a powerful branched root system;
ability for vegetative propagation and growth on depleted soils;
slow growth rates and preservation of bright colors after cutting.

Installation of a Moorish lawn

One of the most common decorative coverings is Moorish lawn. This is not surprising, since it has many advantages. The main ones:

probability of growth on any type of soil;
minimal maintenance requirements;
affordable price of lawn grass;
low costs for arranging the coating.

The Moorish lawn is similar to a bright green meadow, on which a variety of flowers grow. Conventionally, its creation consists of the following stages:

selection of grass and flower seeds;
determination of landscape configuration;
soil preparation;
sowing seed material;
plant care.

When choosing grass seeds, you must meet a number of requirements that are typical for a Moorish lawn. These include:

the presence of low-growing plants;
the number of flowers in the lawn should not exceed 20%;
mixing seeds with sand in a ratio of 1:3 before sowing.

The main grasses for lawns are:

annual ryegrass;
common bentgrass;
thin bentgrass;
red fescue.

As for flower seeds, preference is given to those that will bloom in different terms. The main condition is the low height of the plants. The following are suitable for decorating a Moorish lawn:

carnations;
hyacinths;
calendula;
terry tulips;
primrose;
dwarf zinnias;
daisies.

When determining the shape of the area to be planted with lawn grass, it is based on personal preference. Although in most cases rectangular shape is the most common.

You need to start preparing the soil for the Moorish lawn in the fall. The area is dug up and organic fertilizers. Further work will be carried out in the spring. They provide:

digging the soil to a depth of 10 cm;
removal of weed roots;
adding ammonium nitrate (10-15 g/1 m²);
watering the site;
leveling and compacting the earth's surface.

The need to compact the earth is due to the fact that if there is a load on the lawn:

the soil will go down;
Contact with shoes will leave footprints on the lawn.

This will lead to loss of attractiveness of the coating and will complicate its care.

Sowing work is carried out in the following order:

loosening the top layer of soil (2-3 cm);
scattering seeds throughout the territory (10 g of seeds mixed with sand per 1 m²);
covering the seeds with soil;
watering the area (water from the sprinkler should flow as if it were raining lightly);
covering the planted area with plastic film for several days.

Care Moorish lawn involves the implementation of timely:

glaze;
removal of weeds;
treatment of herbal diseases.

If rot (fusarium) is present, part of the lawn covering is removed along with the fertile soil. If appeared powdery mildew, then the plants should be treated with a fungicide and the amount of watering reduced.

Additional plant care includes spring cleaning of the lawn surface from dry grass, debris and leaves. 2-3 years after sowing, the lawn becomes heavily compacted. To ensure that air access to the root system of herbs does not stop, it is necessary to carefully pierce the ground with a pitchfork 1-2 times a year.

Features of creating a sports lawn

A distinctive feature of a sports lawn is the need for drainage system. The surface should not be covered with puddles or mud, and you should move on the grass without slipping.

The process of creating a drainage system involves performing the following work:

the top soil layer is removed to a depth of 0.5-1 m (depending on the groundwater level);
a slope is created from the lower part of the drainage towards the outer parts (per 1 m of length - 5-10 mm of slope);
plastic or asbestos-cement pipes are laid at the very bottom of the trench at intervals of 5 m;
holes are made in the pipes every 25-30 cm and covered with fibrous material;
laying geotextile material;
collector device (pipes are used whose diameter exceeds the diameter of the drainage pipes by 2 times);
the slope of the collector pipes towards the water intake is provided;
filling the trench with crushed stone.

Collector and drainage pipes no need to connect. Their ends are brought to the surface of the filled crushed stone. You also need to think about the design of the well. It should have a diameter within 1.5 m and a depth of up to 2 m (located below the collector).

After laying the pipes, a subsoil cushion is created. It consists of crushed stone, gravel and sand. It is better when sand and gravel have different grain sizes. Creating a pillow involves sequential laying of materials, starting with the coarse fraction and ending with the fine fraction.

Conventionally, filling the trench from bottom to top will occur as follows:

large granite crushed stone;
small crushed stone;
large gravel;
fine gravel;
sand.

The technology for constructing a subsoil cushion involves covering all communication elements of the drainage system with gravel and crushed stone. Sand is used to level the surface.

The size of the subsoil cushion can be completely different. The main thing is that she top part was at a level of 25-30 cm from the subsequently laid lawn. All layers are compacted and then watered. A bias must be made towards the drainage collectors.

For sowing sports turf the following are used:

red fescue (the main grass that makes up the lawn within 40-60%);
meadow fescue;
creeping bentgrass;
white bentgrass;
common bentgrass;
meadow bluegrass;
perennial ryegrass;
common comb.

The technology for planting grass for sports turf is identical to the construction of Moorish turf. The only difference is the seeding rate, which is 45-50 g/m². The seedlings roll away when they reach a height of up to 5 cm. When the grass grows to a height of 16-18 cm, the first cutting is performed.

Video on installing a lawn:

To have a beautiful green carpet in the middle of the garden, it is necessary not only to properly prepare the soil for the lawn, but also to optimal choice seeds Lawn grasses vary widely and not all are suitable for a particular type of lawn. Plants vary in height, resistance to drought, damage, diseases and pests, many of them prefer sunny places, but there are also shade-loving ones. The best herb for a lawn, the one that best suits your lawn, and to ensure it meets your expectations, below are the characteristics of grasses and recommendations for each type of your lawn.

Grasses and lawn type

Lawn grass and its choice are the main thing in creating a “green carpet”. What grass to sow the lawn when the choice is large enough? Let's pay attention to the herbs that are significant in this matter.

On the market you can find both ready-made seed mixtures and individual grass seeds for lawns. Seeds are divided into mixtures according to the functionality of the lawn. For sports lawns, sports and regenerative mixtures are chosen; they are resistant to trampling and quickly recover from damage and cutting. Mixtures for decorative lawns include beautiful green herbs and meadow flowers. For shady places there are mixtures with shade-loving plants.

Universal seed mixtures are suitable for any type of lawn, including shady ones. Often one type of grass is sown on lawns, but you need to have an idea of the characteristics of the grass; for this purpose, descriptions of the most used grasses for lawns have been added at the end of the article.

Lawn for sports and recreation

This type of lawn is often found in parks and is ideal place for playing with a ball or relaxing. Sports lawn grass is mowed 10 to 20 times per season to a height of 5-8 cm. On the lawn for sports games preferably mowing and mulching, the shredded grass blades are returned to the lawn as fertilizer, providing it with the proper nutrients.

Leaves that fall on the lawn are collected and later used as a component of compost. Sports turf grass mixtures include grasses that can withstand heavy use.

A good seed mix is about 60% perennial ryegrass, 10-30% red fescue and 10-20% meadow grass.

Decorative lawn

A decorative lawn requires careful care, since its grasses are less resistant to damage. The soil for the lawn should be ideal - cleared of weeds, fertilized with peat or compost, drainage channels are welcome in wet areas, and an irrigation system should be provided in dry areas. After winter, an aeration procedure is carried out to regenerate the grasses.

The first mowing of a decorative lawn is done when the grass reaches 8-10 cm. The grass is mowed to a length of 4-6 cm. Do not cut the lawn by more than one third of its length, this reduces resistance to damage. Decorative lawn is different lush greenery, dense and elegant. To achieve this effect, choose plants that grow slowly and do not require frequent mowing.

Most often, such grasses are quite fragile and do not tolerate trampling. The best mixtures for lawn grass they contain fescue (60-70%), perennial ryegrass (10-20%), bluegrass and fescue (5-10%).

Blooming lawn

It is impossible not to mention a lawn in the form of a flowering meadow; this is a very original solution for nature lovers and simply busy people, because a flowering meadow does not require special care, and most flowering plants are perennials.

A lawn of flowering variegated grasses pleases and calms; when meadow grasses bloom, the natural aroma fills the entire area... What is the name of the grass for the lawn? Mixtures of flowering meadow grasses for lawns can include up to 10 species:

Yarrow
Veronica
Daisies
Dandelions

Thyme and other plants.

Lawn in a shady area

Caring for a lawn in a shady area is quite problematic and is further complicated by the appearance of moss. In shady, damp areas, gardeners often fight the growth of moss using fertilizers with a high iron content ("anti-moss"), and moss-destroying preparations are also available on the market, for example "Mogeton 25 HR". Also, a lawn in the shade needs to have good drainage and regular aeration.

Seed mixtures for shady lawns include grasses such as red fescue (40%), fescue (25-40%), ryegrass (15-20%) and bluegrass (10-15%).

How to properly grow a lawn. video

Types of grass, base for lawn

The main grasses for lawns are the following types: red fescue, perennial ryegrass, meadow bluegrass and fescue (a type of fescue). Below are the characteristics of these plants.

red fescue

Low, slow-growing grass. Tolerates dry soil, frost and partial shade. The plant is resistant to damage, and therefore is used to create decorative and sports lawns.

perennial ryegrass

Ryegrass grows quickly and recovers easily if damaged. Loves the sun's rays and is tolerant of any soil. The grass does not tolerate drought and is not resistant to frost. It is an important component of sports turf seed mixtures.

meadow bluegrass

Bluegrass needs sunlight and moderately moist soil, does not tolerate limestone and waterlogging in the soil. It germinates after sowing three weeks later and grows slowly thereafter. Tolerates damage, frost and drought well. Component of all seed mixtures.

fescue (Valis fescue)

Seeds germinate 2 weeks after planting. Prefers sunny areas, grows well in dry, sandy and acidic soil. Has average resistance to trampling. Very resistant to unfavorable conditions such as a shady and dry area.

Lawn grass that destroys weeds: photos, how to choose and plant. Lawn grass that destroys weeds. Experienced owners know that there is lawn grass that destroys weeds. She is an excellent assistant in the fight against weeds on his own personal plot. In addition, lawns serve as an excellent decorative decoration for any landscape, including personal summer cottages.

Lawn grass sown on the site

Lawn grass that kills weeds

Weeds are the strongest plants, able to survive in any, even the most extreme conditions. No one can get rid of them once and for all. However, there are methods that can significantly simplify the fight. One such method is to grow lawn grass, which kills weeds. It will not be possible to completely get rid of them, but if proper care you can reduce their number to a minimum.

Smooth grass carpet without weeds

Lawn grass is a mixture of perennial herbaceous plants, forming a continuous grass cover. Lawns have different purposes: sports, decorative and shade-tolerant. For all of them, their own herbs have been selected, having necessary qualities. For a sports lawn – resistance to trampling, for a decorative lawn – beauty, for a shade-tolerant lawn – resistance to lack of light.

There are several types of lawn grasses that destroy weeds better than others:

bentgrass. This grass constantly requires watering and is afraid of heat. At the same time, it kills weeds very well. She has good ones decorative properties;

Bentgrass

red fescue. This plant is frost resistant;

Red fescue

meadow bluegrass is a plant that is not afraid even of frost. Its seeds can easily overwinter on the surface of the earth;

Meadow bluegrass

microclover is not susceptible to heat and drought. He doesn't need frequent watering and fertilizing. Where it is, weeds are very uncomfortable.

Microclover

Sowing a lawn by itself will not solve the weed problem, so it is necessary to take a set of additional measures to achieve the goal:

High-quality pre-sowing soil treatment by digging and applying herbicides will destroy most weeds.
Applying fertilizers to autumn-spring period. In spring - nitrogen, in autumn - potassium and phosphorus.
Periodic lawn mowing. Weeds do not like constant pruning and die over time.

Lawn grass cutting

Helpful advice! Lawn grasses that destroy weeds require special attention in the first year after sowing. They need to be weeded, trimmed, thoroughly watered and fed. In the future, their root system will become stronger, and the grass will not need such care. Gradually, the lawn will crowd out weeds.

If you decide to sow a lawn and come to the store to buy seeds, you will be surprised at the amount various types mixtures. , To obtain greatest effect

? When to sow lawn grass? You need to get the answer to these questions before going to the store.

Lawn grass in a suburban area

Lawn mowing The main procedure on which the beauty of the lawn depends is regular mowing. Depending on its size, you can use different lawn mowers. Electric lawn mowers are suitable for small lawns, and diesel ones for large ones. For people who have little time but have money, good decision are self-propelled lawn mowers powered by solar panels

or batteries.

To keep your lawn looking neat, you need to use edging and trimming blades (manual and cordless) to cut stems in places that lawn mowers cannot reach, such as under bushes, perennials, or near tree trunks.

How to choose lawn grass that kills weeds There are not many types of grass suitable for forming lawns. Unlike wild herbs

, lawn ones are softer, bush well and form dense turf that does not allow weeds to break through. All lawn mixtures consist of bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass. This is the base of the mixture, to which other types of herbs are sometimes added. The properties of the lawn depend on the percentage of seeds. If bluegrass predominates, the lawn will be dark in color. A large number of

ryegrass produces good turf, which allows you to reseed it in trampled areas of the lawn. Before as choose lawn grass that kills weeds

, you need to carefully read the description that is on the packaging of any mixture. In this case, it is necessary to take into account not only the decorative component, but also the requirements for the soil, climatic conditions of the area, illumination of the site, as well as the purpose of the lawn.

Lawn grass seeds

The information on the grass mixture packaging must contain the following information:
Species composition of cereals.
The year in which the seeds were produced.
Sowing rate, that is, the amount of mixture per 1 m2 of area.

Country and address of the manufacturer. Even knowing how to choose lawn grass, you need to check the packaging itself. There should be no holes or tears in it. The seeds themselves must have international and national product quality certificates and be fully adapted to the climate of the region in which you live.

Packages with seeds

After the choice is made, you need to wait for sowing time and begin to form the lawn. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with how to plant lawn grass. This also has its own nuances and wisdom.

Helpful advice! When purchasing seeds not in a ready-made grass mixture, but separately, it is necessary to take into account all the properties of certain cereals. If two or three cereals are mixed, then you need to select seeds from same shade and growth rate.

Various types of lawn grass

How to plant lawn grass

Before planting weed-killing lawn grass, it is necessary to prepare the area for planting. To do this, it is marked and cleared of weed roots. It is better to do this a couple of times with an interval of 2 weeks. After this, the marked area is leveled so that it is horizontal. If it is necessary to divide the territory into flower beds with straight boundaries, then use twine with pegs, along which marking lines are drawn.

Then they are treated with herbicides. When purchasing them, you should pay attention to what weeds they are intended for. Spring weed seedlings are much more amenable to treatment than autumn ones, since the latter are able to shed seeds that will still germinate in the spring. In an area treated with herbicides, the grass will quickly turn yellow and die. After this, you need to collect it all and pull out small bushes, if any. Processing is carried out at 2-week intervals.

Weeding in a prepared area

Helpful advice! To completely get rid of weeds, it is recommended to cover the area with a geotextile cloth. This measure will not only kill the remaining weed roots, but will also prevent their seeds from germinating.

The second stage of work includes preparing the soil itself. To do this you need:

decide on chemical composition soil. Find out its moisture content and structural features. Add chalk or lime to acidic soil. Heavy clay soil should be diluted with humus or vermicompost;
contribute mineral fertilizers according to the recommendations from the grass mixture packaging. It should be taken into account that in the spring nitrogen compounds are added, which stimulate plant growth, and in the fall, potassium and phosphorus are added, which allow them to safely overwinter;
loosen the fertilized soil, level it and moderately moisten it;
after that, take a heavy roller, up to 100 kg, and carefully roll the entire area with it. If flaws are found, smooth them out and additionally roll the area;
after completion, you need to wait a week for the soil to shrink and remove any weeds that may still appear during this time.

The soil is compacted before and after planting seeds.

The duration of the second stage is 1 week. Only after this can you begin to plant lawn grass. How to do this correctly will be discussed further.

First, you need to mentally divide the entire area into several equal parts. Divide all seeds into equal amount for each part. In this case, the flow will be uniform.

Secondly, the soil is watered with a hose equipped with a shower head to prevent unevenness from appearing. This should only be done when it is dry.

Thirdly, the seeds are scattered crosswise over the site in calm weather. This will ensure an even fit.

Sowing lawn grass

Fourthly, the soil is loosened with a rake and rolled with the same heavy roller so that the seeds are underground.

Fifthly, the entire area is watered moderately with a hose with a nozzle, being careful not to damage the soil surface.

Helpful advice! Don't skimp on seeds. Bald spots on the lawn will very quickly be overgrown with weeds and everything will have to be repeated again.

Watering the lawn

Another important question - when to sow lawn grass that kills weeds? The answer to this requires a detailed description of the principles of plant vegetation. However, some general rules can be identified.

When to sow lawn grass

Sowing of any lawn is carried out during the growing season of plants, that is, from May to September. The best time considered spring or autumn. The main thing is that the seedlings appear before the first frost. The full cycle from sowing to strengthening the seedlings is 4–6 weeks. This is what we need to proceed from in order to make it before the frosts.

Mowing with a lawnmower

Knowing when to sow lawn grass and basic agricultural techniques, you can create a beautiful lawn on your site that will delight the eye for a long time and save you from overgrowing with weeds.

Video: how to sow lawn grass

Similar materials

There is a lot of hassle with your lawn: does the grass look less decorative than on the package of seeds, does it freeze in places, turns yellow, thins out and is overgrown with weeds? Perhaps you have chosen the wrong varieties for our climatic conditions. We will tell you today which grass for the lawn is best for you, and which varieties are best to choose.

Rules for choosing seeds for a lawn

The grass on the lawn should be perennial, frost-resistant and fast-growing. This important conditions an ideal lawn, but not the most important ones. We list the main factors for purchasing seeds for sowing on the lawn, which are best chosen in the store:

Adaptation to certain climate conditions;
Good development root system;
Saturation of greenery and uniformity of seedlings;
Ability for vegetative propagation;
Good haircut tolerance.

Don't neglect general rules choosing lawn grass: shelf life of the material, pre-treatment seeds, manufacturer's guarantees, etc.

A short video about lawn grass

Types of grasses and lawn mixtures

It is best to use grasses for the lawn. They have good system roots, produce uniform green shoots, help remove weeds and have an excellent decorative appearance after cutting. The most commonly sown varieties of grass are meadow bluegrass, bentgrass, ryegrass, fescue and others. Various grass mixtures are also popular.

Ryegrass is one of the elite varieties of grass. It looks very beautiful in any place free from planting. This variety is sensitive to watering and loves mineral supplements

Herbal mixtures

Universal mixture. The herbs in this mixture have rapid germination and resistance to external conditions, remove weeds and are inexpensive. The only negative is that such a lawn requires frequent mowing.
Sports varieties. This is a type of cereal mixture for playgrounds, stadiums and places for active recreation.
Mixtures for specific climates. It is important to choose grass varieties for the lawn not only by appearance, but also by climatic characteristics. Eat special mixtures for areas that are under scorching sun. If you want to sow shady areas, you should pay attention to shade-tolerant varieties of grass.
Mixtures of flowers and herbs. Such compositions are sown to create a meadow-type lawn. You can choose ready-made mixtures of forbs or create a mix of flowers and grasses that can bloom in turns throughout the summer. For a neat, bright meadow lawn, low-growing greenery is suitable, and decorating the area in rural style possible with the help of tall grasses and flowers.
Elite composition for lawn. Although the mixture of elite herbs is capricious and sensitive to external conditions, it appearance justifies all means. Such herbs look very decorative and can decorate any unplanted areas.

The best varieties of lawn grasses for the Russian climate

1. Meadow bluegrass. This perennial variety- one of the earliest cereals. IN pure form it is practically not sown, since the roots of this grass take root slowly. Bluegrass is an excellent base for a grass mixture. It produces soft and juicy greens, crowds out weeds and grows well with other grains.

Bluegrass is the best base for a lawn grass mixture. The variety is unpretentious, produces vigorous shoots and can grow on poor soils

Meadow bluegrass - fast growing grass, the shoots of which you will see earlier than other crops. It looks bright and very decorative

2. Polevitsa. The dark, rich green of fine bentgrass looks good in any lawn. This grass can withstand frequent mowing, cold winters, and will remove weeds over time.

Thin bentgrass grows densely, without bald spots. It withstands frequent haircuts, practically does not freeze and has a rich green color.

3. Ryegrass. This grass can be found in grass mixtures for lawns. She has excellent decorative qualities, but does not tolerate Russian winters well. Therefore, in its pure form it can be sown only in the southern regions of our country, or used as an annual lawn.

Ryegrass has leaves of medium width. This variety grows very quickly, so some gardeners prefer not to cut it. You can often find ryegrass as part of elite grass mixtures

4. Fescue. Fescue - perfect grass for the lawn, which does not require special care, both in mono form and as part of a herb. Within a month, the fescue sprouts thickly and is ready for shearing.

Fescue is an excellent grass for the lawn, both in its pure form and as part of a forb. Its succulent shoots appear quickly and fill the lawn with thick greenery

The most common questions about lawn grasses

Our specialists will answer the most frequently asked questions of novice gardeners:

1. Why is ordinary grass not suitable for a lawn?

Lawn grass does not deplete the soil, as ordinary weeds do, has small roots and looks much more decorative. The sown grass will grow evenly and improve its decorative appearance after each new cutting.

2. How long does lawn grass take to grow?

Lawn grasses are perennial. Decorative look The seedlings will appear within 1-2 months after sowing. If you properly care for your green lawn, mow it on time, feed it and water it regularly, your lawn will delight you for many years.

Green ryegrass shoots will decorate any lawn. This grass is very thermophilic, so a lawn made of pure ryegrass can only be annual

3. What is the difference between a grass mixture and a single variety of seed?

You can choose a monoculture (one variety of grass) or a mixture of several species. Sowing of one variety is carried out for elite plots, playgrounds and decorative lawns. Such grass, although it produces a lush decorative carpet of greenery, is more expensive and sensitive to care and external conditions. Herb mixtures are more stable, produce uniform greens and require less maintenance.

4. How to get uniform shoots?

It is necessary to prepare the soil well, level it, removing debris and weeds. It will help to sow cereal seeds evenly on the lawn. hand seeder. If you don’t have one, mix the seeds in half with sand and sow them in the ground. After the first year of life, the grass may develop bald patches that need to be sown with new seeds in the spring.

Fescue does not require special care and tolerates sun, partial shade and harsh Russian winters.

Ready-made grass in a roll is very convenient option fast lawn. You just need to lay the rolls correctly, and the lawn is ready. The only disadvantage of such a lawn is the high price

A seeded lawn is a great way to remove weeds and decorate your yard profitably. A green lawn refreshes the yard and pleases the eye. Now all that remains is to decide what kind of lawn grass will grow on your site.

It happens that, with proper care, the lawn is still not pleasing with its density, in some places it freezes over the winter and requires frequent reseeding. All these are the consequences of an incorrectly chosen herbal mixture. When purchasing, we usually pay attention only to the information for what type of lawn the mixture is intended for (sports, parterre, etc.). The herbs included in the composition are of less interest to us, especially since their names will mean little to the average buyer. But this information is more important than the rest, because many mixtures are imported into our country from Europe. The climate there is milder, and the criteria for selecting lawn grasses are not so strict. But in our harsh climate, the European lawn often freezes because it does not contain frost-resistant grasses. To avoid such problems, lawn grass should be selected for its suitability to the climate and soils of your area. Let's look at this in more detail.

Any ornamental grass for a lawn it should be a perennial, because a lawn is created for more than one year, and it makes no sense to sow the area in a new way every spring. Of all existing species The plants most adapted to lawn conditions are cereals. But not all, but only those that meet the following requirements:

Resistant to freezing.
Decorative in appearance (lush green flowers, with uniform germination of shoots, with the same thickness of cover, etc.).
Develop strong root system, which is not destroyed as a result of movement, is capable of growing on compacted soils, etc.
After mowing, the cover quickly increases and responds well to mineral fertilizers.
The ability to reproduce vegetatively, because seeds cannot be used to reproduce on a lawn.

The most adapted herbs to the Russian climate

If we analyze all the plants offered in mixtures according to the five listed criteria, then out of the entire variety there will only be three names of grass for the lawn that ideally meet the conditions of Russian weather. This thin bentgrass,red fescue And meadow bluegrass. All of them belong to the group of short-rhizome cereals and have similar properties.

These plants are not afraid of temperature contrasts, especially during frosts. in early spring or late autumn. Their root system withstands severe frosts and forms so dense turf that it is simply impossible for weeds to break through it. For 1 sq.m. about 30 thousand shoots develop. Grasses withstand frequent mowing and have high speed vegetative propagation, therefore, with proper care, the lawn will last for decades without reseeding.

Red fescue grows quite slowly, so in the first year of planting the lawn will look sparse, but the next season the plant creates a thick, even cover

Meadow bluegrass should not be purchased in its pure form, because it slowly grows its root system. It is better to take a mixture where it is the main component

Thin bentgrass is famous not only for its winter hardiness and unpretentiousness, but also for its rich, dense green color, which gives the lawn a rich look

When studying the compositions of mixtures in stores, choose those that contain the highest percentage of these particular cereals. Sometimes the names of the components are written on the packaging in Latin. Remember what these three herbs sound like in Latin:

Thin bentgrass is designated as Agrostis tenuis;
Meadow bluegrass is Poa pratensis;
Red fescue is translated as Festuca rubra.

Additional components in mixtures

In addition to the three cereals, mixtures may also contain other plants suitable for the climate of our latitudes. All of them will have good frost resistance and low maintenance requirements. But there are certain disadvantages that do not allow these grasses to be considered the best for the lawn. And if you find their names in the mixture, then remember that they should not be the main component, but can be used as an addition.

We list the types of grasses often used in lawn mixtures:

Best quality - very fast growth. Minus - it produces horizontal shoots that stand out in light color against the background of a dark green lawn. This causes the lawn to become uneven in color. This quality is inappropriate on parterre lawns, although it is not so important for a recreation area.
Other types of bluegrass. In addition to meadow, which we described earlier, mixtures include narrow-leaved, common and oblate types of bluegrass. They are characterized by poor durability, i.e. after 5-7 years they require reseeding, and the decorative properties are lower (the blades of grass are too hard and have a bluish tint).

The light green color of the horizontal shoots of bentgrass contrasts with the color of the main lawn grass, so the grass is not suitable for parterre lawns

Herbs with specific properties

Meet individual species low growing grasses for lawns that are adapted to specific growing conditions. They cannot be called universal, but for certain areas of the site it is recommended to plant them.

Yes, y bluegrass high ability to grow in partial shade. Those. under garden trees and in places near buildings where light rarely reaches, this plant will rid the lawn of bald spots and pale cover. However, you must take into account that the bluegrass cannot form a dense root system, and therefore does not tolerate movement and frequent mowing.

Swamp Bluegrass will save the situation on lawns with high humidity where drainage was not carried out. It forms a beautiful green cover and develops powerful roots, but does not live long and requires frequent sowing. It can be combined with white bentgrass, which also grows well in moist soil. But its decorative properties are lower than those of bluegrass, and its lifespan is about 8 years.

For parterre lawns on which you do not plan to walk at all, you can use bentgrass. This is one of the most luxurious grasses in appearance, because it has an emerald color and delicate, thin blades of grass. This kind of lawn is also called “velvet” because from a distance it looks like expensive fabric. But with all its external advantages, the plant is very capricious. It lives for about 5 years, has weak roots, grows slowly and is absolutely not resistant to trampling.

If it is important for you that the lawn looks aesthetically pleasing within a month or two, then select a mixture that contains meadow fescue. This is the fastest growing cereal, which will close its stems within 2 months. It can be used in its pure form for a temporary lawn, which is destined to grow in one place for 4 years, because the grass does not live longer. In addition, meadow fescue has weak roots that are afraid of trampling. But as part of a mixture, this cereal can be very useful as an addition to the main herb. For example, meadow bluegrass grows slowly, and until it reaches full strength, empty seats will successfully cover the stems of meadow fescue.

Meadow fescue will save owners when they urgently need to make the lawn decorative, because after 2 months the blades of grass form a continuous thick carpet

Your lawn will be thick in the first summer, although a little patchy. Meadow fescue has wide stems and light coloring, which will look contrasting against the background of narrow dark green blades of bluegrass. Next year, when the main grass begins to grow vigorously, it will simply squeeze out this grass and take its place.

Herbs unsuitable for the Russian climate

There are grasses in European mixtures that should be avoided when planting in lawns because they are designed for mild climates. Eg, perennial ryegrass has excellent growth, decorativeness and dense cover, but after the first winter your lawn will noticeably go bald, although in Europe such lawns successfully turn green for about 8 years.

Perennial ryegrass (pasture) can surprise only in the first year after planting. The harsh winter is beyond his strength

Often found as an additional component of the mixture, annual bluegrass. Its peculiarity is its ease of care and rapid growth. But this grass reproduces by seeds, so with constant mowing next year it will not be able to produce offspring and will free up the ground for the germination of weeds.

“Two more girlfriends” - soddy pike and sheep fescue- are good in all properties, except for one thing: over time they form hummocks, and gradually your lawn will turn into a field of green mounds.