Re: Types of grasses (sod)


LurfysMa wrote:
We need to replace the back lawn. I have a sod catalog from Delta
Bluegrass (http://www.deltabluegrass.com/) that offers 10-12
varieties. Each one is rated on a scale of 0-10 for tolerance to
drought, disease, wear, shade, and heat.

We live in a temperate climate (San Francisco Bay Area), so heat
tolerance is not an issue. It will get watered so drought tolerance is
not an issue. It gets only moderate to low traffic so that's not an
issue either.

That leaves disease and shade. Most of the lawn (75%) gets at least
2-3 hours of sun each day; somewhat more in the summer. One end gets
maybe half that. I'm not sure if that qualifies as full sun, partial
sun, or what.

The sod company offers both single variety sods as well as blends. I
am thinking the single variety sods would be better because the blends
will tend to turn into single varieties over time. Right?

Here are the ones I am considering:

1. 100% Bolero Dwarf Fescue.
7 drought
6 disease
5 wear
5 shade
9 heat
They claim that it is a new fescue that looks like Kentucky bluegrass.

2. Bluegrass. A 4-way bluegrass blend.
6 drought
8 disease
7 wear
5 shade
1 heat
Said to be best in cooler coastal and mountain climates of California.
We are neither coastal or mountainous. It can get into the 90s for a
few days.

3. 100% Rye.
5 drought
8 disease
4 wear
8 shade
3 heat
Said to be designed for golf courses.

Does anyone have any experience with any of thse grasses?

Thanks

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the actual conditions in your yard will make or break your grass......

east -west exposure? North south? where exactly in bay area

Lawn on the south side of the house or north?

Woodside is much different than Berkeley Hills

I live in Orange County & struggle with a very rare ground cover that
I use as a lawn.

Winters are tough on it because plants (tall south property line
hedge), building (garage on south property line) & fence (south
property line)

so in the winter about 10' of lawn never gets direct sun. Grows
great in the summer & in the front yard

IMO (I'm just guessing) that you would be best served by the most shade
resistant grass. Only 2 or 3 hourrs of sun is pretty skimpy.

I suggest you check with a good local nursery that knows your area &
be prepared to show a plot sketch (w/ North drawn on it) to show your
"micro climate"

cheers
Bob

.

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