CORVALLIS, Ore. — When it’s time to establish a new lawn, one question tops the list: What’s the best grass to plant?
“I rarely give the same answer twice, because the best grass depends on the site, the owner and a dozen other variables,” said Alec Kowalewski, Oregon State University professor and Grover Family Endowed Sustainable Urban Landscapes Specialist.
Below are several grass seed mixtures Kowalewski recommends for lawns across Oregon.
“The percentages of mixture components are not sacred,” he said. “You have to be flexible when shopping because every supplier has a different idea of what they want to sell you. The key is to study the label and go for the contents — not the price or the hype.”
Lawns for sunny sites in Western Oregon
A mix of perennial ryegrass and fine fescue performs well for lawns west of the Cascades. This combination produces a rugged lawn that tolerates some shade, needs medium to high fertility to look its best, and is easy to mow.
“Mixtures like this start fast and quickly give you a functional lawn,” Kowalewski said. “They tend to be hungry for the first year or two since they’re initially dominated by perennial ryegrass. By the third year, the fine fescues begin to dominate, particularly if you haven’t fertilized regularly. This lawn will be susceptible to red thread.”
When lawns like these aren’t regularly fertilized, they often transition to bentgrass over time. Bentgrass isn’t as dark green as perennial ryegrass or fine fescue, but it thrives in low-fertility lawns. If you don’t plan to fertilize every spring and fall, bentgrass may be a good fit.
Lawns for shady sites in Western Oregon
For shaded areas, use a mix dominated by fine fescue with a small amount of perennial ryegrass. This blend grows well with moderate to low fertility, occasional irrigation, and mowing to about 2 inches.
“This mix takes advantage of the natural shade tolerance of the fine fescues and the rapid establishment of the perennial ryegrass,” Kowalewski said. “Fescues perform best in soils that stay fairly dry with good air movement. In wet, shady sites typical of much of Western Oregon, fescues can develop fungal diseases.”
Lawns for Central and Eastern Oregon
In Central and Eastern parts of the state, a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass performs best. This combination requires relatively high fertility to maintain good color and density.
“The mixture will start out dominated by perennial ryegrass, which germinates and establishes quickly,” Kowalewski said. “Kentucky bluegrass establishes slowly but overwinters well under snow cover and fills in over time. Avoid planting Kentucky bluegrass alone — weeds will germinate and establish faster than the grass.”
Learn more
For more detailed information on establishing and maintaining a healthy lawn, visit the following Oregon State University Extension Service resources:
- Fertilizing lawns
- Lawn and Turf-Necrotic Ringspot
- Managing moss in lawns
- Practical lawn establishment and renovation
- Practical Lawn Care for Western Oregon
Previously titled What's the best grass mixture for Oregon lawns?
