Kentucky Bluegrass vs. Turf Type Tall Fescue
According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Kansas City falls into zone 6, just below zone 5. This is known as the transition zone. While our climate can technically tolerate both warm season grasses (such as zoysia, bermudagrass, & centipede grass), we most commonly see cool season grasses (such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, & rye grass) in residential lawns. This is mainly due to the fact that warm season grasses go dormant during our winter weather.
In residential lawns, it typically comes down to a discussion between Kentucky bluegrass & turf type tall fescue.
In our lawn renovations, we most often recommend our endophytically enhanced 95%/5% Turf Type Tall Fescue/Kentucky Bluegrass. See the comparison & visuals below to see how the grasses compare. While both options can provide a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing lawn, Kentucky bluegrass is significantly more “needy” & requires much more maintenance to achieve the outcomes most homeowners are striving for. Turf type tall fescue allows for deeper root systems, increased competition against weeds, reduced need for irrigation & displays a beautiful shade of emerald green. This mix has proven to provide the highest performing, lowest maintenance & need for irrigation, pest & pathogen resistance & drought tolerance of any mix we can recommend, ultimately giving homeowners the closest thing they can get to a beautiful, green lawn with minimal maintenance upon maturity (36 months).
What is endophyte? An endophyte is a beneficial microorganism naturally present in turf type tall fescue grass seeds. It forms a partnership with the grass, offering three key benefits for your lawn:
Natural Pest Protection: Endophytes help deter harmful insects, reducing the need for pesticides.
Stress Resilience: They enhance the grass's ability to withstand drought and disease, ensuring a healthy lawn.
Improved Growth: Endophytes contribute to the grass's overall vigor, resulting in a lush and attractive turf.
**NOTE: Endophyte can be toxic to animals who eat the grass in large quantities on a daily basis. It is not appropriate for those with grazing animals. This is typically not an issue in residential lawns.
