What types of grass are suitable for the lawn? Travosmes for different types of lawns. What lawn grass is better to plant in the country - the properties of herbs in mixtures

Meadow grass meadow - a perennial plant of the cereal family 20-80 cm high. It is often found in natural growing conditions on soils rich in minerals and humus, both in the northern and in southern hemispheres. Narrow-leaved varieties with excellent lawn qualities have been bred. Meadowgrass meadow is a variety of lawn grasses with strong underground shoots and upright leafy shoots. Grow starts in early spring. Grows into a leafy mass suitable for mowing and clean cut. Meadow grass meadow tolerates trampling well and, thanks to underground shoots, it can recover from large damage. Newer lawn varieties are characterized by a greater density of standing than the old ones. It tolerates heat well, which makes bluegrass suitable partner in mixtures of lawn grasses with cane fescue. In the phase of germination and initial development, meadow bluegrass manifests itself slowly, and therefore its presence in the herbage, corresponding to the percentage of content in the mixture, becomes noticeable only on next year after sowing.

Common bluegrass (Poa trivialis)

Common bluegrass is used in mixtures for dark areas with high humidity, also suitable for reseeding on golf courses during hot seasons. In this case, the choice of this variety is of great importance.

Meadow timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.)

Meadow timothy grass is a loose, bushy perennial grass 30-100 cm tall, with short creeping rhizomes. One of the most common top grasses, which is used in the hay and pasture direction, and recently in budgetary lawns, simplifying and reducing the cost of lawn grass mixtures. Widely distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Grows in pastures, meadows, roadsides, rarely grows in forests.

Timothy grass (Phleum bertolonii DC)

Small-leaved timothy is grown in cold, humid regions. The endurance of such conditions in small-leaved timothy is much higher than in other types of lawn grasses. This is especially important where lawn surfaces are flooded in winter.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Perennial perennial ryegrass, or, as it is also called, lawn ryegrass, is a low-lying, loose, bushy, fast-rooting perennial grass, a herbaceous flowering plant of the grass family, from 15 to 60cm Prefers a mild climate, but can tolerate temperatures down to -15°C without snow cover. In the presence of snow cover, perennial ryegrass tolerates even more low temperatures. It can be grown on all types of soil except for very wet ones. Perennial ryegrass is, given the emergence of the tube and growth in the spring, early, middle or late. Late varieties are preferred as they produce fewer stems in mid-summer. This makes it possible to have a beautiful lawn with less labor costs. With one exception, when all lawn grasses are diploid. characteristic feature perennial ryegrass is a very high resistance to wear due to the rapid growth of shoots and leaves. This makes this turf grass an important component of sports turf mixtures. The decisive factor for development, along with the choice of location, is the application of sufficient fertilizer and abundant watering.

Red fescue (Festuca rubra L.)

Red fescue is a rhizomatous and loose-grass perennial grass, a species of herbaceous plants of the family cereals up to 60cm high. Grows in many natural meadows with all types of soil and various conditions humidity. Red fescue grows relatively slowly in the year of sowing. It has very thin and narrow leaves and a high density of shoots. Grows well with different conditions, but is especially noted for its drought tolerance and fairly poor soils. It is very frost and drought resistant, which gives it an advantage over other varieties. Can carry some water on the surface in winter. Tolerates shade better than most other varieties.

There are three types of red fescue for lawns:

Red red fescue (Festuca rubra rubra)

It spreads through underground shoots (rhizomes) and therefore is able to cover bald spots well, develops well in cool areas at high altitude, as well as on light soils, the leaves have a rather dark color

Red hairy fescue (Festuca rubra trichophylla)

This is an intermediate form between hard red fescue and red red fescue, forms short underground shoots, leaves are thin and dark, the most resistant and hardy look fescue, therefore relatively salt tolerant, used mainly in ornamental turf and golf mixes

Hard red fescue (Festuca rubra commutata)

Forms low dense bushes with small leaves, which form a dense, excellent herbage, is not demanding on the presence of nutrients and can withstand fairly long droughts without loss, is used in all lawns, except for sports

Cane fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.)

Reed fescue is one of the most drought- and heat-resistant grasses with high endurance to trampling, forms perennial strong bushes, partly with underground shoots. Thanks to its large and deeply penetrating root system, it can supply itself with moisture at a time when other grasses stop growing. This means that cane fescue remains green during dry summers and tolerates high temperatures, and the lawn does not lose its color when there is a lack of moisture. The structure of the leaves of cane fescue is quite rough compared to other lawn grasses. However, the new cultivars have been significantly improved in terms of narrower leaves and planting density. The leaves of cane fescue are usually dark green in color. Winter hardiness depends on the variety. There are varieties with less winter hardiness for regions around mediterranean sea and varieties with high winter hardiness for more continental climates. Cane fescue takes root quite quickly, although not as quickly as English ryegrass. Disease resistance is generally high.

Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.)

Sheep fescue is a type of grass with the least requirements for growth. Grows on all types of soil, also found in many regions in natural meadows with light dry soils. Harsh fescue species, close to the original ones, have a bluish color. Varieties are selected for their very high drought tolerance, heat tolerance and winter hardiness. These grades are excellent in low wear turf mixes: roadsides, embankments, dunes, etc. Also plays important role in creating home lawns. New improved varieties are selected according to the color and characteristics of red fescue leaves. It has a dense standing density. The lawn tolerates shading well - at the same level as red fescue.

Shooting bent grass (Agrostis stolonifera L.)

Bentgrass is shoot-forming, shoot-bearing, spreads by means of more or less long above-ground creeping shoots that take root at the nodes, forming daughter plants. Forms a dense, uniform herbage, tolerates low cutting very well. Mainly used on golf courses due to its very high resilience and density of shoots on turf surfaces and very fine ornamental turfs. This variety can also be used in very dense home lawn mixes due to its soft leaves and dense standing.

Thin bent grass (Agrostis capillaris L.)

The bent grass thin forms dense or loose bushes with short above- and underground shoots. This is perennial species with thin leaves, growing on poor, acidic soils, in meadows, but also on high ground and in semi-shaded places. Forms a stable uniform herbage, tolerates low cutting very well with sufficient nutrition and watering. It is widely used on golf courses in mixtures with red fescue, as well as in ornamental lawns. Does not require high costs. This grass easily adapts to changes in growing conditions.

Team hedgehog (Dactylis glomerata L.)

It is undemanding to soils, prefers connected, moderately moist, humus clay and loamy soils. Grows poorly on light sandy soils. Quite drought-resistant, but does not tolerate long droughts. Shade-tolerant. Suffering from excessive wetting of the lawn. Not resistant to late spring frosts. Does not tolerate early autumn frosts and severe snowless winters. Tolerates salinity.

The full development of the lawn reaches 2-3 years. In the spring it starts growing early, grows quickly. In herbage remains 6-8 years. On the surface of the lawn forms a sparse turf cover with separate loose bushes. It is used as a monoculture, since in the process of life it releases toxins into the soil that depress plants of other species, which leads to their loss from the herbage, while the hedgehog bush is transformed into a tussock.

A lawn sown with this type of grass does not tolerate trampling relatively well.

It is used as a turf in the forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones and especially for shaded areas.

Festulolium (Festulolium)

It was bred by the method of distant hybridization and experimental polyploidy with the participation of annual ryegrass and cane fescue and subsequent multiple family-mass selection of elite plants in a synthetic population. The bush is slightly sprawling, loose, the number of stems is 34 pcs.

The regrowth and evenness of the herbage in spring and after mowing is excellent.

Festulolium is different a high degree bushiness. The optimal seeding rate for grassed hayfields is from 22-30 kg/ha. When creating long-term cultivated pastures or reusable grass stands, the seeding rate is increased by 30-35%. It is the most important turf former when creating rough lawns, slopes on highways, is used to create wet meadows, for land reclamation.

It develops normally and gives high productivity in lowland habitats with soil moisture content of 60-80% of full capacity. Thanks to a powerful root system, the culture is able to use moisture from the deep layers of the soil, which ensures its high drought resistance in all years of use.

Grows well on different types soils, but develops better on fertile, moisture-rich, loamy and clayey soils with permeable subsoil. The least suitable are sod-strongly podzolic and illuvial-humus sandy soils.

It adapts well to the reaction of the soil environment, it can grow both on strongly acidic soil with a pH of 4.5, and on soils with a pH of 6.5. Liming of acidic soils increases yield and improves quality.

White clover (Trifolium repens L.)

White clover in mixtures with fine grasses makes the lawn greener and healthier without the addition of nitrogen. Common forage varieties white clover not suitable for these purposes. They do not tolerate repeated mowing. The new kind clover - Microclover, with very small leaves, is a breakthrough in creating lawns that are friendly to environment and tolerant of low mowing.

Many people who have summer cottages do not want to bother planting trees there, plowing a garden, etc. Therefore, most often country cottage area simply sown with grass, and after a while appears green lawn.

But not always the grassy lawn in front of the house is even and green. And so you want perfection.

In this article, we will consider the main criteria for choosing seeds for a high-quality, good lawn, as well as the types of lawn grasses and the possibility of planting one or another type.

Variety of lawn coverings

If you still decide to sow your plot with grass, then first you need to figure out which herbs are most often used on the lawn.

Usually, grasses that are unpretentious to weather conditions are used as sowing crops - bluegrass, fescue, bent grass and other meadow grasses.

Also in herbal blends major manufacturers ryegrass can be seen, as well as hybrid grass varieties that give the lawn a green look.

Consider the most popular sowing crops

Meadow bluegrass is the leader among sowing grasses. Moreover, bluegrass is also found in nature - in meadows, in fields and in parks.

During flowering, bluegrass reaches a height of 1 m. Bluegrass has several advantages over other lawn crops:

• powerful root system;
• resistance to heat;
• early reproduction;
• fast recovery after mowing.

In addition, this seed grass is not at all afraid of walking on it. But bluegrass is quite picky: it is sown only in soil rich in nutrients.

By the way, a lawn based on this grass begins to turn green only a year after sowing.

Various types of fescue, like bluegrass, are quite unpretentious. But unlike bluegrass, fescue can grow on soils without proper nutrition. Despite this, fescue is not very fast growing.

Meadow timothy also does not require special care. It is typical for regions of the northern hemisphere. It grows quite quickly, reaching a height of 30-80 cm. It looks very attractive, so it is often chosen as a sowing crop.

The shoot-bearing bent grass gets along well with other sowing herbs, tolerates any weather and has a rich green color.

Pasture ryegrass is rarely chosen as a lawn grass. This is explained by the fact that this grass does not tolerate the Russian winter very well: at temperatures below -13 and without sufficient snow cover, the grass will simply die, and next season there will no longer be such a lush grass cover as when sowing.

Very often, the annual bluegrass is confused with meadow bluegrass. In the first season, this grass actively grows and turns green, but if it is cut regularly, then there will be no reproduction of the culture, and the once green lawn will wither.

Quality mark

Not all herbs are suitable for lawn cover. Some - like ryegrass - show their best properties only in their homeland. And not all herbs can survive the harsh Russian winters.

Best of all, meadow grasses are purchased for lawn coverage. unpretentious cultures. But still there are a number of requirements for lawn crops:

• Fast recovery. After manual mowing or mowing with a cultivator, the lawn should return to its original fresh appearance relatively quickly.
• Extensive root system. With such a system, the lawn will not require much maintenance; it will grow on its own. In addition, weeds simply cannot grow on such a lawn.
• Decorative qualities: softness, long-term preservation of brightness and freshness.
• Frost resistance is a particularly important quality in Russian frosts.

Even with the direct purchase of seeds, such moments as the purpose of the lawn, soil features, planting area, groundwater, etc. are taken into account.

Grass mix is ​​the best solution

Yes, most often when forming a lawn, a grass mixture is used, because. All plants have strengths and weaknesses.

The creators of grass mixtures combine the most strengths plants and complementing the weak. Therefore, grass mixtures can be conditionally divided into three types:

• fast-rising, allowing you to get new lawn in a short time, or restore the old one;
• drought-resistant, remaining fresh even in bright sun;
• shade tolerant, shade tolerant.

It should also be remembered that any lawn must be mowed regularly, otherwise, no matter how high-quality the grass mixture is, without proper care it will become untidy, and the lawn will look unattractive.

Photo of lawn grass

A well-arranged lawn lasts for more than one year, but in order to please you as long as possible, when planting a green carpet, the grass for the lawn is selected based on its functions.

Criteria for choosing lawn grasses

To create a lawn, perennial grasses with a rhizome-bush type of tillering are used, which ensures the formation of a large mass of green shoots. Each type of grass used to create a lawn has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, most often, not one species is used to create lawns, but a grass mixture in which the disadvantages of one plant are compensated by the advantages of another.

The choice of grass for the lawn is made according to the following criteria:

1. Appointment (sports and games, decorative, special);
2. Climatic conditions;
3. Soil conditions (acidity, type and texture);
4. Hydrological conditions (level ground water);
5. Solar illumination of the territory (light, partial shade, shadow);
6. Operating conditions;
7. Frequency of care.

But still, the decisive moment when choosing a grass or grass mixture for a lawn is the main purpose of the lawn and the climate in which it is created.

There are three main types of lawns depending on the purpose: sports, decorative and special.

Grass for lawn sports type

Sports-type lawns are created on football fields, tennis courts, golf courses and other types of games, on playgrounds in schools, kindergartens and other childcare facilities. The operation of such lawns predetermines an intense load, mechanical damage, trampling, breaks.
Grass for a sports-type lawn should be characterized by a very high resistance to loads at any time of the year, a quick recovery of the turf and durability.

The composition of grass mixtures for creating lawns for sports includes such cereals:

• Bluegrass meadow;
• Ryegrass perennial or English;
• Meadow fescue;
• Fescue is red.

The seeding rate for a sports-type lawn is 40 - 50 g per 1 sq. m. In areas where it is required to create a coating that is most resistant to intense loads (for example, near the goal on a football field), the seeding rate is doubled - 80 - 100 g per 1 sq.m.

The optimal period for overseeding grasses on a sports-type lawn is the end of October - the beginning of November. For a colder climate - the average daily air temperature should be at least 5 - 8 degrees above zero. At this time of the year, the load on the lawn is minimal, and the grass has time to get stronger by winter period. Also sowing in autumn time guarantees an early spring start of development and timely green cover by the beginning of the playing season.

Lawn grass on the playground

Grass for the lawn on the playground should be durable and be soft and pleasant to the touch. For strength lawn cover in this case, the main cereals are sown, as on a sports lawn, and for softness, various types of clover are added. Juicy green clover increases air humidity and improves the microclimate very well. children's corner in the garden or in the yard.

The composition of grass mixtures for creating lawns for children's games includes the following plants:

• Meadow fescue;
• Timothy grass;
• Cocksfoot;
• Ryegrass perennial;

The seeding rate for creating a lawn on a playground is 30-40 g per 1 sq. m.

For sowing lawn grass seeds on the playground, the optimal period is from mid-May to mid-September. Such a lawn should be mowed once every two weeks, leaving a height of 6 - 8 cm. Repair work oversowing of seeds can be performed from early spring until the end of October.

Choosing the Right Grass Mix for Lawns increased load does not fully guarantee the wear resistance of the grass. In addition, the durability of turf for sports lawns and playgrounds depends on the composition of the soil and the quality of drainage system.

Grass for seed lawn decorative type

Lawns of decorative type include parterre, landscape gardening and meadow. The decorative type of lawn implies the creation of the brightest and most elegant cover with a minimum load on it.
Ornamental turf grass mixtures contain exquisite herbs that have the most decorative effect. Namely, they form a bright, rich, dense green carpet. And when creating moorish lawn have a soft effect carpet with various color accents.
To create a parterre lawn, one or two types of grasses are sown. Such a grass stand requires frequent mowing. At the same time, the grass does not grow above 2 - 3 cm.

Assortment of herbs for decorative type lawn:

• Meadow fescue;
• Sheep fescue;
• Ryegrass annual;
• Ryegrass perennial;
• Shoot-forming bent grass;
• The bent field is gigantic;
• Rump is awnless;
• Bluegrass meadow;
• Clover red, meadow, hybrid pink and white creeping.

The sowing rate of grass seeds for a decorative lawn is from 15 to 40 g per 1 sq. m depending on the grass mixture.

The best time to create such a lawn is spring and autumn. In the summer, repairs can be made to damaged areas. The height of the grass after mowing can be from 5 to 7 cm.

Flowering herbs and wild flowers for the Mauritanian lawn

Absolutely special kind lawn is Moorish lawn. It is not a background landscape design, but constitutes a special decorative composition.
The composition of grass mixtures for Moorish lawn is the most extensive list and can be selected according to the tastes and preferences of the designer.

Assortment of plants for the Mauritanian lawn:

Cereal grasses, clover, alfalfa, sainfoin, various bulbous plants, delphinium, poppy, calendula, gypsophila, cornflowers, daisies, saxifrage, sweet pea, bluebells, flax, various daisies, levkoy and many other flowers.

Seeding rate flower crops in the composition of the grass mixture for the Mauritanian lawn can vary from 20 to 200 pcs. per 1 sq. m. Flower seeds are added to cereals, mixed and evenly distributed over the area.

The optimal period for creating a Moorish lawn is March and April, some flower seeds can be sown in May. Such a lawn does not require frequent mowing.

Lawn grass in the shade

A separate point should be the choice of grass to create a lawn in the shade. In the shade of trees and buildings, where it practically does not fall sunlight, the only grass for the lawn can only serve as shoot-forming bent grass. The bent grass forms a delicate emerald coating, the only condition for the operation of which is that you cannot walk on it a lot.

Special Purpose Lawn Grass

Lawns for special purposes are created on various industrial enterprises, on slopes of roads, airfields, in resort areas and so on. Such lawns should maximally clean the air from dust and gases, moisten it and absorb noise.
Grass for lawns for special purposes must be undemanding to growth conditions, withstand gas pollution and be resistant to burning.

Grass range for special purpose lawns:

• Ryegrass perennial;
• Shoot-forming bent grass;
• Rump is awnless;
• Bluegrass meadow.

seeding rate, percentage and the type of grass in the grass mixture for creating a lawn is determined by the climatic conditions of the area. Therefore, the choice of grass for the lawn must be carried out according to the purpose, as well as natural and soil conditions.

A qualified choice of grass for lawn installation guarantees the creation of a high-quality and stable coating that will serve and bring pleasure for many years.

The best herb is a vague concept, because. the best grass will be different for different conditions.

Everyone who thinks about arranging a lawn sooner or later begins to look for answers to the question of how the grass will be the best for the lawn, what varieties to choose for plots in our climate, and most importantly, which grass will be the most reliable, not requiring serious care .

Before we talk about the most suitable varieties lawn grasses, we will determine by what criteria it is possible to distinguish really high-quality grass.

What are the requirements for good lawn grass?

The most important requirement is that the lawn grass must be perennial plant, but which one is better of all the representatives of perennials? Of course, perennial cereals should be especially highlighted. They will not need to be sown with the onset of each new season. It will be enough to spend time and effort on laying a grass lawn once in order to subsequently maintain it in order, providing minimal maintenance. Below are the main criteria by which high-quality lawn grass should be selected.

First, the plants must cope well with the tests of frost and temperature changes. Secondly, it is important that they grow well in the Russian climate. Thirdly, they had an aesthetic appearance. Fourthly, they were distinguished by a strong root system capable of developing even on compacted soils.

Among other things, grasses should recover quickly after mowing, respond well to top dressing mineral fertilizers, have the ability to vegetative reproduction.

What lawn grass is the most suitable for arranging a lawn in the country's climate?

Given the requirements listed above, there are only three types of herbs that meet them on all counts. These plants will perfectly cope with the vagaries of the weather in Russia, they will be able to grow and develop, requiring minimum care. We are talking about thin bent grass, meadow bluegrass and red fescue. All these are samples of short-rhizomatous cereal plants.

Fescue, bluegrass and bentgrass respond really well to temperature changes and unexpected spring frosts. Their rhizomes withstand the most severe frosts with the formation of a dense turf through which weeds will not break through. Grasses recover quickly after mowing, propagate vegetatively, and can grow without requiring overseeding for many years.

When studying grass mixtures in stores, opt for those that contain the highest percentage of the above-mentioned cereals. Please note that often the composition of mixtures can be placed on the packaging in Latin. So, for example, the usual thin floorboard is called Agrostis tenuis, fescue - Festuca rubra, meadow bluegrass - Poa pratensis. Memorize these names so that you can determine the presence of the plants you need in your lawn grass mixtures.

What else is in a good lawn mix?

Lawn grass mixture can contain different types of grasses.

In fact, not only lawn grass mixture, including cereals, can be used to create a beautiful green canvas, feedback from site owners and landscape designers confirm that there are other plants that are excellent for growing in the climate of the country. All of them also tolerate frost well, do not need special complex care. The only thing that is important to understand is that we are talking about additional components. This means that they should not form the bulk of the mixture.

Below are the main types of herbs used as additional components.

The shoot-bearing bent has one main advantage - it grows rapidly. Minus - not the most beautiful reddish shoots, which introduce an imbalance in the overall uniform color of the canvas.

Other types of bluegrass besides the previously mentioned meadow grass, for example, ordinary or narrow-leaved. These plants are not as "tenacious" as their meadow counterpart, they need to be sown every 5 years. Not up to par and decorative properties. However, as an additional component of the grass mixture, bluegrass of one and the second species would be quite appropriate.

Herbs for certain climates

For certain conditions climate on the site, you can select certain types of herbs. Yes, they do not belong to the category of universal ones, but in some areas it will be appropriate to plant them.

For example, oak bluegrass grows well and develops in partial shade. This means that this is the best variety for arranging lawn grass in the shade. garden trees, buildings. With it, it will be possible to achieve the formation of a uniform green canvas throughout the site, regardless of how intensely they are illuminated by the sun. An important point is that oak bluegrass does not tolerate regular mowing at all, since it does not have a reliable root system. This must be taken into account.

Another option is marsh bluegrass, which can decorate a site with a high degree of humidity, where it is not possible to arrange drainage layer. The plant forms a beautiful saturated green cover with a powerful root system, but, unfortunately, quickly dies, so it often needs to be sown. Great option- a mix of their white bentgrass and marsh bluegrass, which can grow on swampy soils. The bent grass is not as spectacular as the bluegrass, but it can grow without needing to be sown for 8 years.

For the arrangement of parterre lawns that do not provide for mechanical stress, you can plant a bent grass. The plant is surprisingly beautiful and allows you to create the effect of velvet fabric on the lawn due to thin and delicate blades of grass shimmering in emerald color. The problem is that such a bent variety is not long-lived (lives no more than 5 years), is not able to form a reliable root system and does not tolerate trampling.

If the main goal is to pick up a fast-growing grass to form a lawn within a few months, then you can opt for a mixture that includes meadow fescue. It will cover the area with a thick cover of grass in 7-8 weeks, and can be used in its pure form. The minus of cereal is a short lifespan, only 4 years and a weak root system.

What to look for when choosing seeds for a lawn device?

Usually, grass mixtures contain information on what type of lawn they are suitable for and in what conditions they will grow best. Read this information before making a choice. Also pay attention to the date of production of the seeds, the producing company, the country and the seeding rate.

Quality seeds for a beautiful lawn must be sold with a country certificate, meanwhile, they must be adapted to the climate in your area. When choosing herbs, take into account the composition of the soil on the site, the degree of illumination and the level of groundwater. All these indicators have an impact on the growth and development of the lawn.

It is important that the seeds match the type of lawn. For a sports turf, for example, this is one mixture of grass seeds that are resistant to trampling, and for parterre turf, these are other grass seeds that are as beautiful as possible, but not at all intended for loads. This is important points to think about when choosing the best grass for the site.