There are blends of these grasses and other strains of grasses. If you do not like what you see here; consult a quality nursery in your community.

BLUEGRASS. Picture a map of the United States.

Draw a line across the states from about Los Angeles through the upper part of New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, the upper half of Illinois, down through eastern Tennessee and up through the center of the Carolinas to about Virginia Beach, Va. This area has the right climate and soil for growing bluegrass as well as fine fescue, bentgrass, tall fescue, and ryegrass.

There are about 200 species of this grass. It is dark green in color and has medium-textured blades (see drawing). The popular strains of bluegrass include Merion, Newport. Vantage, Victa, Windsor, Bristol, Merit, and common Kentucky bluegrass requires moderate amounts of water. It may turn brownish in hot weather, but a little watering will restore its rich color.

Keep bluegrass cut at 1-1/2- to 2-inches high. You may even prefer to leave it at 2-1/2 inches for a carpet effect and that cushiony feeling when you walk over it.

Feed the grass during the growing season or during the fall and winter. Bluegrass loves soil that is slightly acid--6.7 pH (see charts). If you run a soil test, you may find that the soil needs a ground limestone treatment every 3 to 5 years. The amount of limestone usually required is 25 pounds for each 1000 sq. ft.

RED FESCUE. This is an eastern grass that likes well-drained sandy soil. Other types of red fescue are creeping red and chewing fescue. Ranier, Pennlawn, and Ilahee are varieties.

As a rule, red fescue is blended with Kentucky bluegrass to make a mixture with greater resistance to wear. It should be watered moderately, maintained at a 2-inch height, and fertilized in the early spring and early fall. The soil should have a pH of about 6.0 to maintain it, apply about 25 pounds of lime for 1000 sq. ft., annually.

TALL FESCUE. This is similar to red fescue. It likes cool weather. It can handle lots of work and play activities without damage.

If the soil is rich, you can keep a 1-inch height. If the soil is average, a 2-1/2 to 3-inch cutting height produces more body in the turf. Fertilize twice annually-in the spring and fall. The grass likes 6.0 to 6.5 pH. The best time to seed is late summer; use about 1 pound of seed for each 1000 sq. ft.

FINE FESCUE

• This is used in seed blends to make the blends adaptable to both hot sun and cool shade.
• Keep the height from about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches. Fescue tends to get brown when it's hot and dry.
• Keep it watered with plenty of water.
• The best planting time is in the fall, and the turf should be fertilized in the spring, summer, and fall.
• Best seed rates for planting are 3 pounds for 1000 sq. ft.

BERMUDA GRASS. If you live in the South and Southwest, this is the grass that grows, best in your warm climate. Bermuda grass creates a very tight turf. It is cut at 3/4- to 1-inch to provide a carpet effect.

Planting time is early summer. You can use common seed at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds for 1000 sq. ft. Improved Bermuda grass can be sodded or planted with sprigs using from 5 to 10 bushels of sprigs per 1000 sq. ft. At the time of planting, sow ryegrass until the lawn is established. Keep the ryegrass at 1-inch height so it does not overpower its weaker cousin. You can overseed an established Bermuda grass lawn with ryegrass when the Bermuda grass becomes dormant and brown.

The pH for Bermuda is 6.0 to 7.0. The soil must be fertilized three times annually: spring, mid-summer, and early fall. Water the turf moderately and don't become alarmed if the grass remains dormant in the spring. The temperature has to get to 60 degrees before the grass starts to turn green.

BENTGRASS. If you want a golf putting green type lawn and live in the Pacific Northwest or the northeastern United States, plant your lawn in bentgrass. It takes a lot of work, however.

It needs fertilizer every four weeks during the growing season and it needs frequent applications of fungicides and insecticides to protect the grass from disease/bugs. Height of cut is 114- to 1-inch.

Bentgrass needs lots of moisture. Because the turf is so tight, it will have to be sliced open with a verticutting tool that can be rented. All thatch (dead grass) must be removed regularly as it accumulates. Bentgrass usually is mixed with fine fescue. It takes about 1 pound of seed for every 1000 sq. ft. It can be grown by sprigs or plants.

BAHIA GRASS. This tough grass grows well in the Gulf Coast area. It likes warm moist weather, but turns brown in the winter months.

Keep it at 2 to 3 inches high, and cut it at least once a week-more during growing season. Fertilizer should be applied four times annually: winter, spring, summer, and fall. If the lawn is subjected to salt air from the ocean or gulf, pick another grass. Bahia grass does not like salt with its greens.

DICHONDRA. This grass is for Southern California and Arizona. It has dicot or kidney-shaped leaves.

Dichondra can be grown via plugs or from seed. Plant it during the early summer months and use plenty of water to get it started. This cover should be cut from 3/4 to 1-11/4 inches; fertilize it every other month.

ST. AUGUSTINE GRASS. This is a warm weather grass and it does best in Florida, around the Gulf Coast, and in California. It is easy to grow from stolons (runners) and sod.

Best mowing height is from 1-1/2 to 3 inches. It must not be cut any lower than 1-1/2 inches.

Fertilize St. Augustine grass four times annually; since it grows in ample rainfall areas, you may not have to water it frequently. However, if the weather turns dry, see that the grass gets plenty of water.

ZOYSIA. Zoysia grows best in the upper half of the nation. There are several varieties: Korean, Japanese, Manila, and Meyer are examples. The grass has a fine to medium texture. It grows and greens from a dormant state when the temperatures rise above 60 degrees.

Keep zoysia cut from 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches high. Fertilize it four times yearly-spring, summer, fall, and winter-and give it plenty of water to drink. This grass likes a 6.0 to 6.5 pH.