Grass Seed Types – Which Lawn Is Right for You?

The Key Factors When Choosing the Right Type of Grass

Although it may seem straightforward at first glance to decide which type of grass to use, in practice it is often more complicated. Many lawns are used in a variety of ways, and it is not always immediately clear which type of grass copes best with multiple competing demands. In principle it is also possible to mix several grass types — after all, the seed mixtures available in garden centres are themselves blends of different grasses. For a truly tailored mixture, it is best to consult a local landscape gardener or garden centre. They will be well acquainted with the conditions in your area and, based on your information about soil type, intended use, location, and how much maintenance you are prepared to do, will be able to put together an individually suited seed blend.

Location and Soil Conditions

Grasses love sunshine and thrive best when they receive plenty of light and warmth. Some varieties, however, also do well in increasing shade. If parts or all of your garden are heavily shaded by house walls, trees, or shrubs, you should definitely look for a shade-tolerant lawn mix. This is specially adapted to low-light conditions and will grow where other grass types struggle. If you choose the wrong variety for a shady spot, weeds will quickly take hold, as they cope better with the difficult conditions than most grass species.

Another important factor for your lawn is soil type. Depending on how much sand, clay, or organic matter the soil contains, it can retain more or less water. Because grasses generally do not root very deeply, they depend on a good water supply in the upper layers of the soil. You can of course achieve this through irrigation — but the better the soil retains moisture, the less frequently you will need to water. Sandy soils retain very little water. In this case you will either need to improve the soil with topsoil, or, if that is not possible, choose a drought-tolerant grass variety. Very clay-heavy soils, particularly in shady spots, do not suit all grass types equally. During heavy rainfall, water can become waterlogged in clay soil, which causes the roots of some grass species to rot and the plants to die off.

Equally important are the correct soil pH and nutrient levels for a successful lawn. Grasses prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of around 6. If the pH drops too far below this, it is time to apply lime. However, if the pH is too high, this encourages the growth of certain weeds. In that case you should enrich the soil with compost or organic matter to bring the pH back down. You can quickly and easily determine the pH of your garden soil using test strips available from any garden centre or DIY store.
In terms of nutrients, grass primarily needs nitrogen for healthy growth. How much depends on how fast the grass grows and how frequently it is mown. The more biomass lost as grass clippings, the more nitrogen needs to be returned to the plants through fertiliser. A particularly gentle and labour-saving approach is to return the clippings using a mulching mower.

Use and Wear Tolerance

The more hard-wearing a grass type needs to be, the faster and more vigorously it tends to grow — after all, it must quickly fill in any gaps or bare patches caused by heavy use. This, however, often leads to a higher maintenance requirement, as you will need to mow and fertilise more frequently. The different grass types also vary considerably in their resilience underfoot. While some grass varieties handle foot traffic with ease, even light pressure can be fatal for the delicate flowers of a wildflower lawn, for example.

Particularly sensitive to wear are wildflower and ornamental lawns, which should therefore only be planted in areas of the garden where people will not spend prolonged periods of time. The especially fine grasses may even object to having a sun lounger placed on them. They look wonderful but are better suited to front gardens and decorative planting areas. If you want to actively use your lawn — for example as a play area for children and pets or for garden parties — you should opt for a utility lawn or a hardwearing lawn. Hardwearing turf has been specifically bred for use on sports pitches and heavily trafficked surfaces and is virtually indestructible. At the same time, it requires intensive maintenance to fully realise its potential. Utility lawn, which is better suited to gardens and public open spaces, offers moderate durability. It is not quite as robust as sports turf, but considerably easier to maintain.

Maintenance Requirements and Options

If the appearance of your lawn is not your top priority and you would rather not spend more time on lawn care than is strictly necessary, then a utility lawn is exactly the right choice for you. These seed mixtures are formulated to be as robust as possible while at the same time not being too demanding. Depending on the blend, a utility lawn need only be mown every one to two weeks and fertilised just once or twice a year. Even lower maintenance is the wildflower lawn. From the second year onwards, it is generally sufficient to cut it once a year in September and otherwise leave it to its own devices. Fertilising is rarely, if ever, needed.
However, if you place great importance on how your lawn looks and do not mind investing a little more time to achieve this, you should choose an ornamental lawn or a hardwearing lawn. Both look very elegant with their dense sward and fine grass blades and come closest to the ideal of a pristine green carpet. Which of the two types is right for your garden ultimately depends on how you intend to use the lawn. The very fine grass varieties in ornamental lawn are generally sensitive to foot traffic, whereas hardwearing turf is robust against all kinds of wear and tear.

The Differences Between Ornamental, Sports, and Play Turf

For a quick overview, here is a comparison of the main types: