Grass Selection

Turf Integrated Pest Management begins with growing the grass species most likely to succeed. Choose the best adapted species for the site conditions and the intended use of the area. The wrong species in the wrong place will led to increased need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Use these guidelines for choosing turf grass species when renovating or establishing athletic fields and lawns.

• Grass species well adapted for use in Maine as athletic fields or general lawns include Kentucky Bluegrass, Creeping Red Fescue, Chewings Fescue, Hard Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass.
• Mixtures including Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass are best.

  Level A athletic fields	80% Kentucky Bluegrass (2-3 varieties) 20% Perennial Ryegrass (2 varieties)
  Level B athletic fields	60% Kentucky Bluegrass (2-3 varieties) 20% Red Fescue 20% Perennial Ryegrass
  General Lawns	40% Kentucky Bluegrass (2 varieties) 20% Chewings Fescue 20% Hard Fescue 20% Perennial Ryegrass

• Certain varieties of fescue and perennial ryegrass have Endophytes, a beneficial fungi, that controls surface feeding insects. Choose to use these if available.
• Improved varieties of each species exist and should be considered for use. The following have good, general characteristics based on The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program.
  • Kentucky Bluegrass: Liberator, Award, Midnight, Nuglade, North Star, Baronie, Odyssey
  • Perennial Ryegrass: Citation III, Linn, Stardance, Pennfine, Advantage, Palmer III, Secretariat, Brightstar II, Calypso, Premier II, Pennant II
  • Chewings Fescue: Shadow II, Banner III, Brittany, Tiffany, Bridgeport
  • Hard Fescue: Discovery, Reliant II, SR 3100, Osprey, Defiant, Nordic
  • Red Fescue: Florentine, Shademaster II, Jasper

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