How to Select Lawn Seed For Your Ottawa Yard
Whenever you look at your neighbour's lawn, do you immediately think, "the grass is always greener on the other side?" If you're turning green with envy over a lush looking lawn, don't despair. The answer to your lawn care conundrum could be as simple as a seed. Selecting the right type of grass seed to use on your Ottawa property is the first step to improve your local landscape.
What Zone Are You In?
One of the overriding factors that the lawn sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn review prior to working on any property is climate conditions. Ottawa falls into the temperate Humid Continental region, which is known for being cool but humid. A second deciding factor depends on the region's plant hardiness rating. The Ottawa region actually falls into two different hardiness areas: Zone 5, which includes the city of Ottawa proper, and Zone 4, which covers a great deal of the Upper Ottawa Valley. As such, grasses that are planted in the Upper Ottawa Valley need to be slightly more weather resistant as they will often be subject to a late frost in the spring (mid-May) and earlier periods of freezing weather in the fall (late September).
Other Factors Worth Considering
The local climate isn't the only thing that will affect your grass seed choice. The inground sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn recommend that you pay close attention to the following as well:
- Snow Cover: Did you know that snow can actually protect your lawn from damage? During the winter, snow acts as an insulator, blanketing your grass and lawn from external forces. As such, less snow cover could actually cause some problems for certain grass seeds.
- Freeze/Thaw Cycle: Unseasonably warm days are a welcome change in the middle of winter, but these fluctuating temperature changes can wreak havoc on your yard. In fact, freeze/thaw cycles are more damaging to your lawn than extended periods of cold weather.
- Road Salt and Other Pollutants: Not all grasses are hardy enough to withstand the rough treatment from Ottawa road maintenance crews. As such, the inground sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn often opt for tougher grass types on boulevards and near driveways.
Ready, Set, Seed!
Based on the above information, the lawn sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn recommend selecting a cool season grass type when tackling any Ottawa yard maintenance. Grasses that fall into this category grow well in the fall and early spring. Cool season grasses also fair well during hot, dry summers and they're capable of withstanding a wide mix of winter weather, including heavy snowfall and periods of wet slush. Cool season grasses include four major varieties: bluegrass, bent grass, fescue grasses, and ryegrass.
While each lawn's needs are unique, the inground sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn highly recommend working with two popular varieties: Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Both of these lawn grass types are extremely hardy: not only can they maintain the heat of an Ottawa summer, but they don't mind the cold of our local winters. Furthermore, both types are recommended for use in heavy traffic areas. The following is a quick overview of each grass type:
- Tall Fescue
Tall fescue grass grows well in sun and shade. It is relatively low maintenance and is capable of tolerating infrequent mowings. While it can survive with minimal water, the lawn sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn recommend applying adequate water and fertilizer to achieve optimal results. - Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass flourishes in the spring and fall when the temperatures are cool. It grows well in most soil types, and is a good general-purpose turf. Because of its shallow root system, the lawn sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn recommend watering this type of grass regularly during the hot summer months.
Make your lawn the envy of the neighbourhood with professional maintenance services from Nutri-Lawn. Contact one of our professional lawn care technicians today for a personal consultation.