The Grass Doctor

Desert Turf or Kentucky Bluegrass?

I live in Utah and am having all of my lawn replaced. Do any of you have any experience with Desert Turf or should I just go with the Kentucky Bluegrass which seems to be the "turf du jour" of most landscapers?

Public Comments

1. The area of central Kentucky surrounding Lexington is often referred to as the "Kentucky bluegrass area". I live in this area and have a fair amount of experience with this grass. FYI ... Kentucky bluegrass is not really blue in color. If a field of bluegrass is allowed to grow to maturity, in other words, go to seed, the seed heads take on a blue color. The color is very short lived and is really a rare sight. I have only seen it a few times when the light was just right and a gentle wind caused the grass to move with the breeze. Even in my area, it is unusual to see lawns composed entirely of kentucky bluegrass. It is usually mixed with other grass types. If disease attacks the lawn, and bluegrass is susceptible to many problems, only one species of grass in the lawn is usually affected. There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting the right mix of grasses for you lawn and you don't provide any specific information. Among them are the USDA growing zone in which you live, special local conditions, soil composition, average rainfall, and frequency of rainfall. Budget may also be an issue since a lawn composed entirely of kentucky bluegrass will cost more to maintain over the years. My best advice is to visit the best plant nursery in your area and get their advice as to which grasses grow best in your area. They are very knowlegable and are usually willing to give you plenty of free advice. Your county extension office will also be able to give you the same advice and will also test your soil for a small fee. Armed with that information, you can amend your soil as needed, plant the appropriate grass for your area, and enjoy the results. Keep in mind that a lot of lawn care companies tout kentucky bluegrass very highly. They do so because it requires a lot of care and it profits them to recommend it. In the meantime, here is a link you can use for more information. I use the "Jerry Baker, America's Master Gardener" website quite a lot. There is a zone finder where you enter your zipcode to find your planting zone. http://www.jerrybaker.com/ Good luck with your new lawn.