Grasses used in Rhode Island generally consist of bluegrass, ryegrass, fine fescue, or mixtures of these grasses. Turf type fescue is also used where drought tolerance is the primary focus and colonial bentgrass is often used in coastal environments.

Cool-Season Grasses:
Kentucky bluegrass is a high quality, sod forming, cool season, shallow-rooted grass with excellent appearance and recuperative potential. It may require frequent irrigation, tends to form thatch and is somewhat disease and insect prone. However, it is extremely cold tolerant and one of the most beautiful grasses there is. It also spreads by rhizomes which helps to repair itself and makes it fairly wear tolerant. Kentucky bluegrass is not the only cool season grass used in Rhode Island. Fescue and ryegrass are two other commonly used cool season grasses.

Perennial ryegrasses are bunching cool season grasses that are compatible in appearance with bluegrass, do not form thatch, have good heat tolerance and may be drought resistant. They tend to be disease prone and offer poor freezing tolerance if flooded or exposed to wind. Perennial ryegrasses is designed for full sun areas, but will tolerate some shade. Ryegrass is bred to give a pleasing dark green color, with a fine texture and excellent mowing qualities. Is also a very good choice for blends with Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue.

Fine fescues are divided into Chewing fescues, Hard fescues, Red fescues and Sheep fescues. For our purposes they are all grouped together. They are bunching cool season grasses, have a fine leaf texture, offer good shade and cold tolerance, and will adapt to poor soil conditions and fertility.

Tall Fescue - The new turf-type tall fescues are excellent for full sun areas where little maintenance is desired. While they take a little while to establish or recuperate since they are a clump-type grass, they are extremely wear resistant, drought, heat, and salt-tolerant; and moderately shade tolerant. Tall fescues have few disease problems and require less maintenance that other grasses. Kentucky bluegrass is the first grass to brown out in the summer and tall fescue is the last.

Click Name To View Grass Seed Choice		Type	Applications
Cool Season Mix - Showtime		Cool Season	Lawns - Moderate Shade Rye, Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue Mix
Cool Season Mix - Garland		Cool Season	Lawns - Moderate Shade Rye, Fine Fescue Mix
Fescue/Bluegrass Mix - Combat Extreme North		Cool Season	Lawns - Wear Tolerant
Fescue Blend - Combat Extreme Transition		Cool Season	Lawns - Wear Tolerant
Fine Fescue Blend - Legacy		Cool Season	Lawns - Moderate to Dense Shade
Kentucky Bluegrass - Bluegrass Supreme		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Gourses - Full Sun
Kentucky Bluegrass - Midnight		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Courses - Full Sun
OSP Ryegrass		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Courses

Legacy Fine Fescue

Fescue Blend

 

Over the centuries, fine fescues have been renowned for their survival under extreme conditions. They grow in infertile and dry soils, tolerate close mowing heights, deep shade and grow in places where turf is neglected, tortured and forgotten. In these areas, fescues endure. Fine fescues produce an attractive, uniform stand with a medium-green to dark-green color. These grasses are extremely fine-textured

• Close-Mowing
• Lawns
• Resilient

Combat Extreme Northern

Cold Weather Tolerant

 

Combat Extreme™ Northern Zone grass seed has improved germination which allows it to establish more quickly than other varieties and its lower growth habit significantly reduces the amount of top growth. It does extremely well in full sun or partial shade in USDA Zones 4 - 5. Combat Extreme™ Northern Zone grass has the addition of Kentucky Bluegrass for extra cold tolerance and turf density. Combat Extreme™ Northern Zone grass seed an excellent choice for professional or home use.

• Excellent Color
• Withstands Cold Weather
• Cost Effective

Below is the USDA Zone Map for Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island