Page Index:

• Grass Used in California
• USDA Zone Map
• Best Grasses for California
• Grass Characteristics
• Grass Characteristics Continued
• Grass Seed Calculator
• LazyMan Product Line

Grasses used in California consist of cool season and warm season grasses.

Cool season grasses (Northern Cal - Cool Climate Zones):
The major cool season grasses that are commonly established in cool summer regions include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. These grasses can be seeded alone to a lawn or many times mixes containing Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are used. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are both quite fine textured grasses that have a good year-round green color. The new improved, or elite varieties of bluegrass and ryegrass will make an excellent lawn for many years if properly maintained. Tall fescue, is much coarser textured because of a characteristic broad leaf blade. It does, however, provide a year-round green color and is considered very wear tolerant. Because of its toughness and comparatively low maintenance requirement, tall fescue is frequently used for low maintenance, high traffic lawns. Tall fescue is more heat and drought tolerant the ryegrass or bluegrass and can be be used down into Mid California, but not Southern California unless that area is quite shady. Fine fescue may also be used at high elevations of California where freezing temperatures are common and in shady areas.

Warm season grass (Mid to Southern Cal - Warm Climate Zones):
Bermudagrass is the most commonly used warm season grass in the interior regions of California with high summer temperatures. Bermuda grass has good growth, color, texture and density during the warm spring, summer and early fall; however, they do go dormant during the winter months. Bermuda can be established in the spring or early summer by seed, whereas, hybrid bermuda must be established in root stock in sod, stolons, or plugs, which can be purchased from your local nursery. Lesser used warm season grasses are St. Augustine (vegetative only), zoysia (Southern Cal), and buffalo grass. Buffalo grass is excellent for the adverse conditions found in the lower valley of the desert southwest in California. Because of its drought tolerance, low nutritional requirements and short stature, it is drawing increasing attention for its potential use as a low-maintenance turfgrass for California. Like bermuda grass, all warm season grasses grow best during the spring, summer and early fall and are dormant in winter.

Below is the USDA Zone Map for California so you can determine which zone you reside in. Below that are our picks for your state which will do best in your area. Next on this page are tables which list various grasses and their characteristics so you can compare before you decide on your purchase. Click on the product name (ie. Midnight) for more information about that grass and to make your purchase.

USDA Zone Map For California

QuickAdvanced

USING THE QUICK GRASS SEED CALCULATOR:
Simply select your unit of measurment and enter your area value(s). The total square footage (if appropriate) and seed required to cover your area will be automatically calculated.

USING THE ADVANCED GRASS SEED CALCULATOR:
Enter as many grass areas/lots as you need. If you have lots with areas not needing seed (e.g. buildings, driveways etc.) enter the dimensions of those under 'Voids' to be subtracted from the total area. Clicking the '+' button will add a new area; clicking '-' will remove the associated area.

Coverage Type
Grass Type:
Coverage:

Coverage Area
Units:	Length/Width Square Feet Acres
Length:	ft.
Width:	ft.
Sq. Ft.:
Acres:

Areas / Lots
Click the + button to add a new area
Length: ft. Width: ft.
Voids (buildings, driveways etc.)
Click the + button to add a new 'void'

Total Area:
Seed Rqd.:

To calculate the amount of seed you will need for your project, click one of the links below for the type of grass seed you are interested in. A dialog window will appear listing your selected coverage and providing options for calculating your seed.

If you already know the square feet, length/width or acreage of your yard or lot, you can use the 'Quick Calculator'. If you need to add multiple lots and/or subtract areas that will not require seed, you may use the 'Advanced Calculator.'

The dialog window can be moved by clicking and dragging the top 'title bar'. You may click different types of seed to recalculate without re-entering your data.

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