The Grass Doctor

Can you help me with my grass (lawn grass :}?

I live in the transition zone near St. Louis MO. I have a blend of TTTF with areas of bermuda. I have several bare spots. My yard is some open and some dense share. I am wanting a grass that is similar to bluegrass that will fill in bare sports. Is there a hybrid blue grass that is resistant to drought? or is there a TTTF that will spread with rhizomes like kentucky bluegrass? And finally seeing how I have some bermuda mixed in do you think it would be a good idea to throw some bermuda in when I over seed to get it to grow where it can? If you have any recommendations, I would appreciate it. I am not a fan of scotts or pennington, but if you have any specific cultivars or brand names you recommend I would really appreciate it? I am not doing this until fall, but I am getting my game plan together and already working on getting the yard and soil ready.

Public Comments

1. Lime and starter fertilizer seems to be the cure all for bare spots however, it is probably best to have the soil analyzed to see if its lacking some nutrients. I would send soil samples to local agricultural school for analysis. While i'm waiting for results, I'd add lime on the patches and 1 foot into the healthy grass,and oversees it to see what that does.
2. Warm season grasses are more suited to drought conditions. Grasses like Bahiagrass and Zoysiagrass are of the warm season kind. Bahiagrass can grow fairly aggressively and has a very efficient root system, which can withstand drought conditions and thrives in a good amount of rainfall. There is also a grass called the Common Bermuda grass that shows good drought resistance. In fact, it prefers the open, sunny vicinity for its growth. The Zoysiagrass proves to be a hardy grass and has quite low watering and feeding requirements. The Centipede grass is a low-maintenance warm season grass but cannot withstand physical damage. Centipede grass can survive even in poor quality soils and is known to be a poor performer in drought conditions. Hot climate grass is the one that is suited mostly for the drought conditions. They do not need much water and yet they grow well. The three famous names in warm season grasses are Bermuda grass, Centipede grass and Zoysia grass. These three are the ones that are considered the hot favorite. Zoysia Grass Bermuda grass is the one that grows at a fast rate and it can multiply at a fascinating rate, if not controlled. It requires very little maintenance, as it is hard and tough. It can stand the normal wear and tear of the different conditions. You do need to water it on daily basis; it does not demand much water. It is basically for hot climates only and that is why it cannot survive in shady areas. It should be sown in an open place to get maximum sunlight. The icing on the cake is that it is available at cheap rates. Centipede grass is another of the low maintenance grasses. You do not need to mow or use fertilizers for this grass. However, the difference in Centipede and Bermuda grass is that this one does not grow at a quick speed. But the positive aspect is that it can withstand even a heavy traffic. If you have an acidic soil in your lawn, this type of grass is best suitable. The best time to sow Centipede grass is the springtime. Although, it does need good sunlight, still it can survive in little sunlight too. Zoysia is the most attractive hot climate grass. Your soil should have a pH level of 6-7 for its ideal growth. You can either choose Zoysia seeds or rolls of sod to enjoy this grass in your lawn. However, it is advisable to choose the rolls of sod because the seeds are time consuming. You should use this grass in such an area where the direct sunlight is available. Also remember that you need to water this grass at short intervals of time, especially if the drought lasts for long. Therefore, whenever you plan to own a lawn, do find out the type of grass that is suitable for your area and weather. If you use the right kind of grass at the right place and at the right time, it is probable that you will have better results and of course, a much more beautiful lawn! Certain types of grasses are more adapted to particular climates and to specific uses. There are a large number of grasses existing today,