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6 Types of Grass in Virginia (With Pictures)

garden with mown lawn

Maintaining a healthy lawn is not that difficult if you keep it watered and cut. Most people that struggle with this task are trying to grow a type of grass that isn’t ideal for their area. If you live in Virginia and would like to how to improve your lawn, keep reading as we present you with several types of grass that will grow well in the state.

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The 6 Top Choices for Your Lawn in Virginia

1. Combat Extreme Northern Zone Grass

Hardiness Zone: 4–5
Characteristics: Tall, slow growing

There are three types of combat extreme grass, but in Virginia, the type that you want is combat extreme north. The seeds start to grow quickly when soil temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has a dark-green color even when temperatures are low. It quickly fills in damaged areas with new grass, helping it be more durable, so it’s a great choice if you have children or pets. It also has deep roots, enabling it to withstand drought or extreme temperatures.


2. Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass

Hardiness Zone: 4–6
Characteristics: Dark blue-green color

Midnight Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular grasses in America. It’s a compact variety that enables you to cut it short, and its characteristic dark-blue-green color makes it a favorite among anyone who spends time in their yard. It can survive drought and grows slowly, so you don’t need to cut it as frequently.


3. Showtime Blend Grass

Hardiness Zone: 4–7
Characteristics: Soft

The showtime blend is durable, soft grass that makes a great lawn to play volleyball, Wiffle ball, or other outdoor spots. It contains 50% ryegrass, 30% fine fescue, and 20% Kentucky bluegrass to create a variety that’s easy to maintain, colorful, and comfortable enough to walk barefoot. (Outside Pride)


4. Blackjack Bermuda Grass

Hardiness Zone: 4–7
Characteristics: Carpet-like density

Blackjack Bermuda grass is a sun-loving variety that is resistant to cold weather, so it’s a great choice for Virginia, especially the southern area, which tends to be a little warmer than the rest of the state. It’s a rich green color that isn’t as dark as some other varieties, but it still looks attractive, and it doesn’t grow fast, so you won’t need to mow it as often as other grasses.


Shady Areas

5. Legacy Fescue Blend Grass

Hardiness Zone: 4–6
Characteristics: Extremely durable

Legacy fine fescue grass seed uses three different fescue varieties for the best possible grass. It’s a low-cost variety that’s extremely durable and can survive extreme weather conditions that would kill other grasses. You can mow it close to the ground, and it grows well in extremely dry soil with plenty of shade.


6. Poa Supina Grass

Hardiness Zone: 4–5
Characteristics: Extremely durable

Poa supina is a great choice for people who live in the cooler parts of Virginia and have a shady lawn. This type of grass is native to Germany and the Austrian Alps, so it’s well adapted to cold temperatures, and it can hold its color throughout the winter.

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Tips to Keep Your Lawn Looking Great

Feed It

Most people feed their lawn fertilizer once per year. However, you should up the number of fertilizations to four times per year to get the best results from your yard.

Mow It at the Right Height

Most northern grasses need mowing when they reach a height of 2.5–3.5 inches, but we recommend checking your grass seed package for the recommended height. Allowing it to grow to the recommended size will let the roots get deeper, which helps the grass be more resistant to drought or sudden cold temperatures.

cropped black and blue lawn mower on grass
Image By: Skitterphoto, Pixabay

Water Correctly

We recommend giving your lawn a good soaking when it needs water instead of watering it a little every day. You can tell when your property needs watering because the grass will start to lose some of its color, and it will stop bouncing back when you step on it.

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Summary

There are several kinds of grass that you can choose for your Virginian yard, and the best option depends on what type of yard you have. If your yard gets plenty of sunlight, the combat extreme northern zone or midnight Kentucky bluegrass will grow quickly and provide you with an attractive lawn with cold- and drought-resistant properties. If there are many trees or buildings around your home and you don’t get much sunlight, we recommend choosing legacy fescue blend or the poa supina. Both varieties are extremely durable and will maintain their color and strength even if they don’t get much sunlight.


Featured Image Credit: 1000 Words, Shutterstock

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