The five grasses in collar-county lawns
Mow height, water, what to overseed with, and how to tell them apart with a blade in your hand.
The classic carpet lawn of the northern suburbs. Spreads by underground rhizomes, so it heals its own thin spots and gives that dense, striped, golf-fairway look.
The fast starter. Germinates in 5 to 7 days and is in nearly every bag of mix sold at the big box stores, so most lawns have some.
The low-input choice. Deep roots make it the most drought and heat tolerant cool-season grass, so it stays green in August when bluegrass goes dormant.
The shade grass. Needle-thin blades, tolerates dry shade under maples and oaks where nothing else survives, and needs the least mowing and feeding of all.
Most bags labelled Sun & Shade are a blend of ryegrass, fine fescue, and a little bluegrass. Lawns seeded from them end up a patchwork, with each species winning where it is happiest.