- Seed cool weather grass seeds in late summer to early fall. This gives these grasses the best chance of survival. ...
- Seed warm weather grass seeds in early spring and into the summer. Wait until temperatures get above 65°F during the day and then seed. ...
- Plant in regards to the grass seed and not the area you live in. ...
What is the best type of grass to plant in San Diego?
Tall Fescue. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass with good heat tolerance. It’s also shade, disease, and drought tolerant, so for San Diego yards with a lot of shade, this option of grass type may be a good fit. Its self-repair is limited, so if it thins out you may need to seed again. It establishes easily and germinates quickly, so,...
What is the best time to plant in San Diego?
Best Time to Plant in San Diego The months leading up to the rainy season, September through December, are the ideal time to begin planting in San Diego. New plants require constant watering to establish during their first year, and the rain provides the ideal environment for them to thrive in naturally.
When is the best time to plant grass seed?
Plant in regards to the grass seed and not the area you live in. For example, if you decide to plant warm weather grass in a cooler climate then sow the seeds in the spring when temperatures have risen and not in fall.
What planting zone is San Diego CA?
San Diego, California is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 8, Zone 9 and Zone 10. Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important for getting the most out of your garden. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time.
What is the grass that goes dormant in the winter?
There’s a square of St. Augustine grass, coarse with thick-stemmed runners, native to the southern United States, a grass that becomes dormant in the winter. There’s a checkerboard plot of more than a dozen varieties of buffalo grass, one of the grasses of the Plains states (“Buffaloes lived on it,” Gibeault says), another winter-dormant strain that uses water efficiently, a “low input” species being tested for use in Southern California (the buffalo grass varieties have romantic names such as “Cody,” “Tatanka,” “Stampede,” and “BAM-100”). There are plots of Tifgreen, a hybrid Bermuda grass used on athletic fields and golf courses, a dense, low-growing, and finely textured grass that spreads by runners and also goes dormant in the winter. There are plots of Sahara Bermuda, New Mexico Bermuda, seashore paspalum, and El Toro zoysia grass. There are turf plots undergoing irrigation studies, soil and management studies, and mowing studies. There are plots of Kentucky bluegrass, an evergreen or cold-weather variety, and several plots of tall fescue, the cold-weather variety that was developed in the 1970s and that is now the most popular grass type used in Southern California. At one plot here, UCR is participating in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, sponsored by the USDA, and looking at 128 varieties of tall fescue (among them such cultivars as “Aztec,” “Twilight,” “Arid,” “Micro DD,” and “Rebel, Jr.” — perhaps an offspring of the original “Rebel,” the first tall fescue grass, released from New Jersey in 1978).
How much do we spend on grass?
Gibeault says that people have been growing grass for more than ten centuries, that in the United States we spend more than $50 billion a year maintaining lawns and turf. We have a need for grass, he says—cities without green turfgrass can become dismal places where people, lacking “visual encounters” with outdoor landscapes, suffer loss of productivity, increased anxiety, and greater susceptibility to mental disease. On the other hand, cities with generous views of green landscapes benefit from the therapeutic effects of grass, the sense of community and cohesion green landscapes create, and the increased economic results in the workplace.
Where is Am Sod located?
Though perhaps a half-dozen sod companies market turf in San Diego County, there is only one major commercial producer — Am-Sod, located in the San Pasqual Valley. Am-Sod is run by Floyd Wirthlin Jr., or “J.R.” as everyone calls him. Born in 1958, J.R. describes himself as a “child of the ’70s,” the son of a military man. He traveled a bit, living in Hawaii and attending college in Idaho before returning to San Diego to help his father with the sod farm in 1979, after a flood. At that time Am-Sod was located in South Bay.
When did the Am Sod farm get out of production?
J.R. Wirthlin (left) and Dave Shaw at Am-Sod in San Pasqual Valley. “The flood in 1979 took the South Bay farm out of production. Floods in 1982 and 1983 took half the farm. In 1986, a flood took a third of the farm, and in 1990 another flood wiped out a third."
Who would speak of the wonder of grass?
Of course, someone who’s had an epiphany about turf, who has worked with it throughout his adult life, would certainly speak of the wonder of grass:
Is turf grass intellectual property?
Here at the Turfgrass Field Station at UCR there’s lots to get excited about, for those who see something special in grass. At this place, grass is intellectual property, subject to patenting, licensing, and, in some cases, royalty payments. Vic Gibeault has been working with turf at UCR since 1969, breeding and developing strains of grasses best suited for Southern California, grasses that stand up to heat and need little water — an essential trait for a place such as San Diego County, which imports 90 percent of its water and uses from 40 to 60 percent of it to irrigate lawns and landscapes.
How long is the growing season in Southern California?
With the right plants and timing, you can truly have a 12-month growing season.” explains Josh Rosenthal, Principal of Eco Minded Solutions. Due to very low rainfall, Southern California is categorized as a desert, yet the ocean nearby influences mild winters and warm summers producing a tropical environment.
When does hairawn grass grow?
Commonly known as a hairawn muhly, this hedge-like grass grows tall with feathery, pinkish-purple flowers emerging in the late summer and early autumn. Tall grasses add texture and height to your landscape, and since these plants survive well in drought conditions, they are the perfect addition to any San Diego landscape.
What is the best shrub to grow in San Diego?
Leucophyllum species (shrubs) Silver Leaf, a type of Leucophyllum shrub. These shrubs are known for their ability to forecast rain, blooming a couple of days before rainstorms in response to humidity. Since they require minimal water to thrive, this species is the perfect plant to grow in San Diego.
What is drought tolerant landscaping?
Drought tolerant landscaping includes low-water, low-maintenance xeriscaping or “zero-scaping” and is a popular solution for arid climates prone to dry spells. These gardens feature beautiful- yet hardy- plants and require minimal maintenance while conserving water. Other options to reduce your water consumption include hardscapes and pavers installation.
What is the best grass to grow in Southern California?
St. Augustine is a great pick for warm areas. This grass does not do well with cold temperatures, but it is very drought tolerant, so the Southern California climate is a perfect fit. It’s a quick growing grass that does well in moderately shady areas. It spreads via above-ground stolons, so it can appear very thick and lush. As a high maintenance turfgrass, you should expect to mow it regularly and apply a monthly application of fertilizer. Don’t cut too much when you mow, as you risk thinning it out due to the stolons.
What type of soil is used in California?
The southern part of California is mostly comprised of clay soil. Being close to the coastline, clay soil helps retain important nutrients due to poor drainage but can contain high amounts of sea salt that can be harmful to plants.
Is there more to San Diego than the beach?
But residents of the area know that there is more to San Diego than just the beach. Besides the sun and sand, homeowners have lawns, trees, and gardens they love to spend time in. There are many different types of grass out there to choose from when seeding your lawn.
Is tall fescue grass good for San Diego?
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass with good heat tolerance. It’s also shade, disease, and drought tolerant, so for San Diego yards with a lot of shade, this option of grass type may be a good fit. Its self-repair is limited, so if it thins out you may need to seed again.
What type of grass is best for a lawn in San Diego?
These are our four top grass choices for lawns in San Diego: Bermudagrass. St. Augustine. Zoysiagrass. Tall Fescue. 1. Bermudagrass. Out of all turfgrasses, bermudagrass is one of the most water-wise options. It is drought-, heat, and salt-tolerant.
What grass grows best in San Diego?
There are many factors to consider when choosing which grass best suits your yard. While bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and tall fescue can all thrive in San Diego, keep the following things in mind when making your decision:
What is the best grass for a lawn?
Zoysiagrass. Zoysiagrass is a quick-growing warm-season grass, creating a durable and dense lawn, so it’s great for households with active kids and pets. It has a fine to medium texture, with colors ranging from light to medium green. Zoysiagrass thrives in a variety of soil types.
Is tall fescue grass drought resistant?
Tall fescue is the only cool-season grass type to make the list, being one of the most drought-resistant turf grasses available. It requires very little maintenance and can handle plenty of activity from kids and pets. It also stays green year-round. No wonder it’s the most popular turfgrass in California.
Is turf grass good for San Diego?
While some people are moving away from grassy lawns, turfgrass is still a popular choice for most homeowners. It’s important to be mindful of water usage when planning which grass type to plant.
Is tall fescue drought tolerant?
While it is moderately drought-tolerant, keep in mind that tall fescue still requires more water than the other grasses listed above. Tall fescue is a great option for busy homeowners who don’t mind a lawn with a more coarse texture. Classification: Cool-season grass. Spreads by: Bunch-type.
How long does it take for vegetables to grow in California?
California has a wonderful climate for growing vegetables, with a whopping 270 days between the last and first frost dates in the season. Some areas of California, like San Diego and Sacramento, have no frost dates and vegetables can be in the ground year-round.
What zone is San Diego in?
San Diego, California is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 8, Zone 9 and Zone 10. Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important for getting the most out of your garden. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time.
What is the first frost date in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino’s first frost date is 12/15 and its last frost date is 2/1.
What is the most important thing to consider when planting grass seed?
I have found that the most important factor when planting grass seed is water. So, when you plant seeds be sure to irrigate the grass frequently and make sure you irrigate well. The dirt should remain moist during germination; just make sure that you don't create a lake in your yard as you water.
How to grow grass in the rain?
While grass can grow at almost any time within the growing season, there are a couple of local weather considerations to make. First, look for any storms that may be coming up. You’ll be more successful if you sow the seeds just prior to a rain shower. However, it you plant the seeds just prior to a down pour or thunderstorm you may literally be washing your seeds down the drain. Some rain will help your seeds germinate. Too much rain will cause the seeds to runoff towards storm drains, especially on virgin or prepared soil. On the other hand, if you plant seeds during a drought it will be very difficult to keep them irrigated enough to help them establish roots. If you have an opportunity to select the time you plant wait until the day before or the day of a rain shower to sow your seeds. Secondly, do not plant during an extreme cold snap or heat wave. These abnormal temperatures will make it difficult for the seeds to germinate.
How to grow grass seed faster?
Stepping on the soil could make it difficult for grass seed to take. Secondly, make sure there is plenty of water during the first few weeks of growing. Finally, to help the grass seed take quicker and grow stronger, faster amend your soil.
What are the two categories of grasses?
In general, there are two categories of grasses, cool weather and warm weather grasses . These two categories can then be divided into types.
How many climate zones are there for grass seed?
US Grass Climates. To complicate grass selection further, the United States National Arboretum has divided the US into four different climate zones for turf grass. These four zones and a large transitional zone in the central and eastern part of the country can help make the process of selecting grass seed easier.
Can you grow cool weather grass in warmer climates?
This does not mean that a cool weather grass cannot grow in a warmer climate or vice versa. However, it does mean that if you plant cool weather grass in warmer climates you will have to do extra work to maintain it. This extra work may include reseeding in the fall, especially if the summer is very hot, as the cool weather grass will likely die ...
Is buffalo grass good for irrigated areas?
According the National Arboretum, warmer grasses such as Buffalograss is a good choice for areas that are not irrigated since they are more drought tolerant than cool weather grasses. Similarly, Buffalograss is a popular choice for warm/arid locations because of its drought tolerant characteristics.
What is Zoysia grass?
Zoysia grass produces a thick, cushiony turf filled with fine to medium textured leaves. Zoysia is very popular around San Diego, largely because of how hardy it is. Zoysia grass is low maintenance because it grows laterally. It also grows quickly, so that same lateral growth makes the turf resistant to wear and able to quickly repair itself. The only downside is that zoysia grass is known for being very persistent. Once planted, it can be hard to remove, and can grow into nearby flower beds if not stopped.
Is San Diego hot or cold?
San Diego is known for its warm weather, but that doesn’t mean it’s a hot climate. Even during the heart of summer, the average high doesn’t get above the mid 70s. At the same time, the average winter lows don’t drop below the high 40s. While this mild weather is great for people, it can be rough on grasses. Many cool season grasses can’t survive the dry, warm summers, while several of the warm season grasses that will survive in more humid environment have trouble. Fortunately, there are some that flourish around San Diego.
Is Bermuda grass cold or warm?
Bermuda has a wide growing region that stretches across the lower half of the US. It’s a warm season grass, but has a good cold tolerance that expands its growing range, especially some of the more recent varieties.
Does San Diego need more water?
In general, cool season grasses will require more water than warm season grasses, especially during warm summers. This isn’t a problem in more northern areas, but San Diego can be light on the rain, especially during drought periods. Many San Diego residents are moving away from the fescues and ryegrasses that used to be so popular, since the grasses will turn brown or die during the warm summers.