Growing and maintaining a lush green lawn in Canada can be a challenge. It starts with choosing the best type of grass. The best types of grasses to grow in Canada are cool-season grasses because our summers are short and our winters are cold – and usually snowy. Cool-season grasses grow actively in spring and fall, slow down in summer, and go dormant in the winter. They do best at temperatures between 16°C and 27°C (60°F and 80°F) and can survive freezing winter temperatures. The following cool-season grasses thrive in Canada’s cooler climate.
| Type of Grass | Appearance | Ideal Mow-to Height | Description and Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | Fine to medium texture Canoe-shaped Dark blue-green |
6 to 8 cm | Hardy but not drought-tolerant so water generously Disease resistant Needs more fertilizer Shallow roots make it a good showpiece lawn but unsuitable for heavy foot traffic |
| Fescues, fine and tall | Fine texture Bristle-leaved Medium green |
6 to 8 cm | Water deeply and infrequently (do not soak or make soggy) Shade-tolerant Tolerates foot traffic very well Can perform well in poor soil Is often mixed with other grasses |
| Bent grass | Fine texture Blades begin to bends at a couple of centimeters tall (hence the name) |
3 to 4 cm | Needs generous watering (weekly during the height of the
growing season) Cut regularly to avoid stems from forming thick mats and thatching Popular for golf and tennis courses Use a mower with very sharp blades |
| Perennial ryegrass | Fine texture Glossy Dark green |
6 to 8 cm | Has shallow roots, likes consistent water Disease resistant Tolerates foot traffic well Nice in full sun or shade (but not reliably hardy) Germinates and grows quickly and is often used in blends |