The Grass Doctor

What is the best type of grass for Northern VA?

I need to seed my lawn. I am not really sure what type of grass I have now but I know that it is more than 1 type. I am looking for grass that is easy to maintain and best for my area, Northern VA.

Public Comments

1. You can use either a fescue blend or a kentucky bluegrass. I personally prefer fescue, (I live in Richmond, just slightly south of you,) because it isn't as invasive. Bluegrass will take over a vegetable garden, flower bed, even your concrete walkways and sidewalks unless you fuss over it frequently. On the other hand, you can rest assured that a bluegrass will lay a thick, green grassy layer over even less-than-perfect soil, and if you just want a yard, and no beds, I'd go with the bluegrass. In Virginia, you really can go with either one.
2. If the area has low foor traffic, I would use Titan fescue or maybe Souther Belle fescue - both are mixes. I think the dark green color on the Titan is more appealing. If there is a lot of activity on the lawn or a lot of sun, you might be better off with Bermuda grass - it is vigorous and it does go dormant in winter, but it requires very little care other than maintaining the edges. If you want something low maintenance and you are not intending to hang out on it - I would recommend lyriope. Lyriope takes a while to fill in and it is expensive to "plug" but sometimes you can get it free from Landscapers who are removing it from inside garden beds. It only grows about 3" tall, it a lovely dark green color, gets mowed for appearance in winter, and blooms with small purple spikes in spring and fall. It is not super dense, but it has a wide blade and looks great installed - needs almost no fertilzer or water once established, too! Very, very trouble-free and very earth-friendly for the "look but don't touch" lawn.