Conduct a landscape water quality assessment
How much do you care about your lawn?
 How good does it have to look?
(Perfect or just okay)- How much time will you invest? (Just mow or make applications as well.)
- How much money are you willing to invest?
- What are your limitations, including equipment? (Does your mower have height adjustment?)
- Will you use fertilizer? (Poorly fertilized turf increases runoff.)
- Will you water your lawn? (Well-designed, in-ground systems are best.)
- Will you use pesticides? (You will use more if you don’t grow healthy plants.)
How much wear do you expect? (Will you be running, walking, or working in your yard?)
Areas to note and take care of
- Streams, creeks, rivers, ponds, or lakes
- Shady areas
- Areas of direct sunlight (southwestern exposure)
- Bare surface areas
- Locations of weeds
- Compacted areas (try to put a knife in the ground)
- Exposed tree roots
- Areas of poor drainage or standing water
- Areas of wear
- Steep slopes
- Impervious surfaces
- Storm drains
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Know how your property and choosing the right grass can protect water quality:
- Selecting a grass appropriate to your site will lead to rapid establishment, preventing runoff and erosion from bare areas.
- Appropriate grasses will form a dense stand of turf better able to fight off disease and weed encroachment.
- A vigorous lawn will require less pesticide input, reducing the potential for polluted runoff, leaching into groundwater, and accidental spills.
Learn about Lawn Grasses
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Kentucky Bluegrass |
Perennial Ryegrasses |
Tall Fescue |
Fine Fescue |
| Growth habit |
Rhizotamous |
Bunch |
Bunch |
Bunch |
| Leaf texture (blade width) |
Medium–Fine |
Medium |
Coarse |
Very Fine |
| Establishment from seed |
Slow (approx. 30–90 days) |
Fast (approx. 14–21 days) |
Fast to Average (21–30 days) |
Average (21–50 days) |
| Seeding rate |
1 to 2 lb./1,000
ft.2 |
5 to 9 lb./1,000
ft.2 |
5 to 9 lb. /1,000
ft.2 |
3 to 5 lb./1,000
ft.2 |
| Annual nitrogen fertilizer |
3 to 4 lb./1,000
ft.2 |
2 to 6 lb./1,000
ft.2 |
2 to 4 lb./1,000
ft.2 |
1 to 2 lb./1,000
ft.2 |
| Drought tolerance |
Poor |
Poor |
Some |
Some |
Shade tolerance
(min. 4 hr. of direct sun) |
Poor |
Poor |
Good |
Excellent |
| Wear tolerance (traffic) |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Poor |
General Seed Recommendations
Use the landscape water quality assessment described above to identify unique conditions
on your property. More varied conditions require blends or mixtures to optimize stand diversity.
Many improved cultivars are available.
See Cornell Cooperative Extension turfgrass species and cultivar guidelines. (More info on choosing lawn grasses.)
March is a good time for
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Spring cleaning: Rake leaves and winter debris (which are loaded with
phosphorus) away from paved surfaces and storm sewers.
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Soil sampling: Sample soil every three years to determine the availability
of nutrients to the plants. Take approximately 1/2 cup of soil from several locations, mix together, and contact your local Cooperative Extension office
for information on where to send the sample. Use this information as a basis for fertilizing.
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Investigating seed sources: Be sure to review the seed label for best cultivars.
“Variety Not Stated” = buyer beware!
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