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The 3 Most Common Types of Grass in Calgary
When it comes to seeding your lawn, it can be tempting to choose a grass type that will give you the lushest, greenest, and healthiest turf. After all, who wouldn’t want a lawn so vibrant that it becomes the envy of the neighbourhood? But did you know that the “best” type of grass depends on the climate, maintenance needs, and unique growing conditions?
Knowing the common types of grass in Calgary can save you a lot of extra work. Some grasses look amazing but need constant attention to stay healthy. Picking the right type means your lawn will stay green and strong with regular care—without feeling like a full-time job!
In Calgary’s cold and dry climate, some of the most popular types of grass include:
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Perennial Rye Grass
- Creeping Red Fescue
These grass types are resilient to extreme temperature changes, including hot and dry summers. Keep reading to learn more about each grass type and why they’re the most ideal for lawn maintenance in Calgary.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Common types of grass in Calgary include Kentucky Bluegrass, also known as Poa pratensis. It’s the most popular seed type in the city and across Canada because it handles cooler temperatures well. You’ll find Kentucky Bluegrass in most grass seed mixes in Canada for these benefits:
- Forms a thick sod ideal for high-traffic areas
- Excellent tolerance to cold and winter survival
- Recovers well from damage
- Germinates in the spring, right after the snow melts
- Nice texture, colour, and density compared to other grass types
- Known to capture contaminants because of its thick sod
- Resistant to disease
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Rye grows quickly but doesn’t spread as well as Kentucky Bluegrass. This grass type is dark green and has a shiny appearance, making it an excellent choice for aesthetic appeal. Some of the benefits of Perennial Ryegrass:
- Ideal for overseeding high-traffic areas
- Fast germination rate, making it ideal for filling damaged lawns
- Rapid seedling growth provides quick colour and stability
- Excellent cold tolerance
- Can be cut short
Creeping Red Fescue
Creeping Red Fescue is ideal for areas that are hard to mow, such as slopes and roadsides, because of its low maintenance quality. Creeping Red Fescue is typically used in a mixture of grass seeds for the following benefits:
- Ability to cover a large area in almost any climate
- A low-cost seed that requires very little work
- Shade tolerant
- Good drought resistance
- Narrow blades lose less moisture in hot weather
- Thrives in poor, sandy soils
- Germinates and spreads quickly
Additional Grass Varieties for Calgary Lawns
Beyond the commonly used Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Creeping Red Fescue, Calgary lawns can benefit from other grass types that offer unique advantages, such as:
- Fine Fescue – Includes varieties such as chewings and hard fescue; it grows well in shaded areas and adds a fine, soft texture.
- Tall Fescue – Heat and drought-resistant; strong roots make it durable for high-traffic areas.
- Bermuda Grass – A warm-season grass that thrives in sunny areas, is drought-tolerant, and forms a dense, carpet-like lawn; ideal for high-traffic yards in Calgary’s warmer microclimates.
These grasses can be blended to create a resilient, attractive lawn suited for Calgary’s unique climate.
Greener Grass Lawn Care Maintenance
As Calgary heads into the winter season and the grass is dormant, it’s a good time to learn about the different types of grass seeds and plan ahead for professional lawn care maintenance in the spring.
For more information about lawn care in Calgary, give us a call at 403-271-2111.
