Almost every property in North America boasts a patch of grass, no matter how large or small. Different species of grass thrive in different climates, and require different levels of care. If you thought grass was simple, think again. This common perennial grows like a weed in fertile soil, but you'll need to keep up with lawn maintenance to ensure your grass remains healthy and full.
Which Season?

You'll find two main categories of grass at the local garden center:

• Warm Season Grass - planted on properties falling within zone 8 to zone 11 on the USDA hardiness map and including popular types like Bermuda grass, Zoysia and St. Augustine.
• Cool Season Grass - planted on properties falling within zone 1 to zone 5 on the USDA hardiness map and including Kentucky Bluegrass and rye grass.

Properties in zone 6 and 7 demand a blend of warm and cool season grasses.

Shady areas of your lawn also present a challenge when choosing the best type of grass. Some grasses grow well in partial shade (fine fescue, for example), while others require full sun to thrive (Kentucky Bluegrass, among others). Blends help to ensure complete coverage on most suburban lawns.

More Than Just a Lawn

Grass provides an attractive, comfortable surface surrounding trees, flowerbeds and various buildings, but grass also protects your property from erosion and helps to redirect water runoff. Your lawn plays an important role in maintaining the condition of your property.
Bermuda grass is commonly planted on sloping yards in warmer climates. Colder areas of North America often use ornamental grasses or xeriscaping (landscaping with reduced irrigation requirements) for optimum erosion control on hilly areas.

You also need to consider traffic patterns when planting grass or laying sod. Some grass types do not recover well from foot traffic, while others stay strong no matter how hard you stomp. Fescues tend to be a good choice for lawns you want to run on, especially blends that also include attractive grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass.
Found around the neighborhood and across your own backyard, grass is a common, yet somewhat complicated plant. Be sure to choose the right type, according to your climate, grade and traffic, in order to enjoy a lush, green lawn at your home.