Gone are the days when grass was just, well… grass. Today, savvy lawn owners are interested in imported specialty grasses and exotic species from around the world or for their lawn. Despite this unprecedented level of choice, it’s important to remember that not every grass is suitable for every climate. Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting grasses for your particular climate:
Weather Considerations
As you may be aware, Kentucky Bluegrass is enormously popular. However, because of its water requirements, trying to grow this species of grass in a desert area is going to be very difficult. Aside from water requirements, you will need to consider things like the average temperature during the dormant season, as well as the growing season. Depending on the species of grass, you may even find that a winter temperature that is too warm will inhibit the plants from growing in the spring.
Disease Considerations
If you go on vacation to a foreign country, you might catch a cold or other type of infection, just because you haven’t been exposed to it before. In a similar way, grasses that are not accustomed to your local area have little or no natural defenses against local diseases. As a result, grass blades may develop all kinds of unsightly spots and other symptoms as a result of infection by a virus or bacteria.
In some cases, feeding your weakened lawn with fertilizers may also create a situation where the micro-organisms become strong enough and numerous enough to attack surrounding healthier lawns. Therefore, not only will you be causing issues in your own yard, you may create a situation where all of your neighbors will have to try and cope with these infections as well. Unfortunately, this may also spread to fields or other areas that are not as carefully monitored and cultivated as a lawn. So, long story short – make sure you choose a type of grass that’s best suited to the ecology of your area.
Parasitic Considerations
Similar to susceptibility to microbial diseases, grasses that are not natural to an area will be more likely to attract local parasites. Many researchers have noted that insects will actually target lawns and fields that show signs of microbial diseases and avoid fields of natural, healthy grasses. Therefore, choosing grasses from foreign areas means you will have to try and control parasites on top of all the other issues. Save yourself the trouble by choosing a type of grass that works for your climate.
Environmental Hazard
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Although it seems counterintuitive, your lawn may grow too well in some cases. As grass plants produce seeds for the next year, they may be blown to distant fields and wild areas. Without the presence of organisms that eat these seeds or otherwise inhibit grass growth, natural plants can be easily choked out. This, in turn, can create a situation where animals that rely on native grasses and plants will not be able to survive.
If you want to have special grasses as part of your lawn, consider purchasing some special plants for borders or edgings. Not only will this be an attractive way to set off a healthy lawn, it will give you the opportunity to have a few novel grasses in your collection. However, before purchasing these grasses, it’s important to check with the lawn and garden stores in your area, or with the county extension, to find out if the new grass will cause problems for other plants in the area.
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