| Fescue- (Festuca) is a genus of about 300 species of tufted grasses, belonging to the grass family Poaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, although the majority of the species are found in cool temperate areas. The genus is closely related to ryegrass (Lolium) and is incorporated within that genus by some botanists. Fescues range from small grasses only 100 mm tall or less with very fine thread-like leaves less than 1 mm wide, to tall grasses up to 2 m tall with large leaves up to 600 mm long and 20 mm broad. Fescue pollen is a significant contributor to hay fever. The fescues contain some species which are important grasses for both lawns (particularly the fine-leaved species, highly valued for bowling greens) and as pasture and hay for livestock, being a highly nutritious stock feed. They are also used in soil erosion control programs. Some Varieties are: Tall Fescue, Hard Fescues, Sheep Fescue, Hard Red Fescue, Meadow Fescue, Alpine Fescue |
| Rye Gass - is a genus of nine species of tufted grasses, family Poaceae. Also called tares, these plants are native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, but are widely cultivated and naturalised elsewhere. Ryegrasses are naturally diploid, with 2n = 14, and are closely related to the fescues Festuca. Ryegrass should not be confused with Rye, which is a grain crop. Annual rye grass germinates and establishes quickly but does not survive the winter, although some seeding takes place if let go to seed in the fall. Ryegrasses contain some species which are important grasses for both lawns, notably at The Championships, Wimbledon, and as pasture and hay for livestock, being a highly nutritious stock feed. They are also used in soil erosion control programs which is why you find so much of it in conservation mix. The primary species found worldwide and utilized for both lawns and as a forage crop is perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Like many cool-season grasses, it is often infected by a clandestine, fungal endophyte which lives symbiotically within its leaves. Edophyte rye Grass is not suitable for grazing livestock. |
| Bluegrass and/or Kentucky bluegrass is native to practically all of Europe, northern Asia and the mountains of Algeria and Morocco. Although the species is spread over all of the cool, humid parts of the U.S., it is not native to North America.
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) grows 18 to 24 inches tall and is readily identified by its boat-shaped leaf tip. It spreads by rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense sod making it desireable as a turf grass. New shoots (rhizomes and tillers) are produced primarily in the spring and late summer. Most shoots produced in the spring remain vegetative. Shoots produced in late summer often terminate in an infloresence the following spring. The lifetime of a Kentucky bluegrass shoot that terminates in an infloresence ends soon after the seeds mature. During late spring and summer, the shoots of Kentucky bluegrass grow in an erect, or upright, position; whereas, in early spring and fall they become more decumbent. This pattern of growth is a response to day length rather than temperature. During long days shoots grow upright; during short days they become decumbent. Daylength also influences the number of shoots that develop. Significantly more shoots are produced during the short days of early spring than during long summer days. The length of time between the appearance of new leaves on Kentucky bluegrass ranges from about 10 days in the spring to 22 days in the summer and fall. During winter months few new leaves are produced on Kentucky bluegrass in northern climates. In the transition zone, new leaves and shoots are produced year round. Over 100 cultivars (varieties) of Kentucky bluegrass have been developed during the past 25 years. Some varieties tolerate southern climates better than others (Adelphi, Baron, Fylking, Glade, Midnight, Ram I, Vantage, Victa and Warrens A-34), some have moderate shade tolerance (Bristol, Glade, Nugget and Touchdown), and some tolerate closer mowing (Adelphi, Bristol, Ram I and Touchdown). Select a blend of about 3 varieties for planting in the transition zone to increase your opportunity for success. Many of these grasses differ in their degree of susceptibility to leaf spot diseases and Fusarium blight, both being troublesome in the transition zone. A blend of several varieties will usually appear superior to a single variety since all varieties are usually not affected by adverse conditions at the same time or to the same degree. Some varieties of Bluegrass are suitable for grazing but not all. |
| BENT GRASS - Creeping bent grass is a native of Europe and parts of Asia. It is a cool season grass requiring cool, humid environments. This grass forms a dense mat by creeping stolons and has a shallow root system and has long slender leaves. Often used for golf putting greens, it is a very high maintainance grass and not recommended for lawns unless you really like spending oodles of time manicuring, fertilizing and aerating your lawn everyday. |
| Clover adds nitrogen to the soil. I highly recommend seed mixtures with clover, because, using them cuts down on your need for nitrogen fertilizers. If you find that Clover is taking over your lawn, cut back on your nitrogen inputs, especially the water soluble variety. |
| An endophyte is an organism that lives within a plant for at least part of its life without causing apparent disease. Endophytes are ubiquitous and have been found in nearly all plants studied to date.
Endophytes are added to turf grass to make them hardier, more reistant to disease, cold and more resilient to wear and tear, Endophytes, when added to grass seed usually makes them unsuitable for grazing animals. |