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Denver, CO, weather patterns are heavily affected by the Front Range and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. High winds, rain, snow, hot days, and cold days make springtime challenging for growing lawn grass. Let’s look at four types that are known to perform well in this high-desert, semi-arid climate.
Fescue grass seed mix grows 24 - 48 inches in the Denver, Colorado, area. It should be cut down to about 3 inches, and it tolerates traffic well. This turf is a cool-season bunchgrass that varies in color between medium to dark green. Its texture varies from soft to medium coarse, and it can shred if mowed with a dull blade.
Festuca arundinacea grass seeds grow best in Denver lawns with full sun but can also do well in moderate shade. It is easy to care for, naturally insect- and disease-resistant, and won’t invade neighboring flower beds or gardens. This native grass requires periodic supplemental irrigation and about an inch of water per week during dry times.
Perennial ryegrass grass seed varieties grow up to 2 feet and should be mowed to about 3 inches in Denver. This grass has a good tolerance for traffic and is often combined with Kentucky bluegrass to cover sports fields. This variety prefers full sun and does not tolerate shade well. Ryegrass is a bunchgrass with glossy, dark green blades that grow well in hot places during cool times.
Lolium perenne grass may perish during a dry, cold winter near Denver, Colorado. During dry, hot periods, it requires about an inch-and-a-half of water weekly. This variety is best planted or sodded between March and mid-June, or mid-August through late September.
Bluegrass develops soft, fine, dark green blades and naturally grows up to 2 feet in Colorado. This grass is typically cut down to about 2 ½ inches and is a dependable sod-forming option. It typically requires 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches of water weekly but may need less in well-amended soil or shady areas.
Poa pratensis grass seed does well in full sun or light shade in the Denver, Colorado, area and most of the rest of the state. It has appreciable tolerance for foot traffic. This seed strain is readily available and cost-effective. Kentucky bluegrass will slip into dormancy with excessive exposure to drought or very high heat, but it is very difficult to kill. This lawn grass requires supplemental irrigation and experiences moderate problems with insects and disease. Be careful about overseeding.
Buffalograss seed or sod is an excellent choice for sunny lawns that have low to moderate foot traffic. This type of attractive grass needs little fertilizer or water once it has established a healthy root system. It resists insects and plant diseases well and tolerates high temperatures and extended drought.
Bouteloua dactyloides seed or sod will go dormant when stressed and weed control can be problematic, especially in an overfertilized Colorado lawn. Buffalograss stolons can invade neighboring lawn flower and vegetable areas, and its seed does not grow well at altitudes over 6,400 feet.
If you are looking for a solid surface that will work well for an athletic complex, then you have probably thought about field turf. Of course, you want your field turf to last as long as possible. How long should you expect the field to last?
You should expect to get at least 10 years of use out of your turf. If you take care of it, it could last for 20 years. Some quality options could even last for 25 years as long as the weather is good and you maintain it.
You should groom your field turf every 40 hours of use. When football, soccer, and lacrosse are in season, this averages out to once per week. Grooming your field turf is important for removing rocks, branches, leaves, and other debris. If you let these obstacles sit on the fields, they could become trip hazards or get stuck in the turf itself.
Try to avoid using too much heavy equipment on the turf. You may also want to limit its exposure to severe weather. If you know there is a storm coming, make sure to cover it up. You might want to have your turf inspected by a professional from time to time.
Much of the lifespan of your turf is going to be dictated by how well it is installed. Therefore, you should always work with a professional team that can help you install your field turf properly. As long as it is installed well, and you take care of it, it should last for decades. You should also talk to a professional team about the type of turf that is best for your needs. That way, you can put yourself in the best position possible to be successful.
Longmont, Colorado, occupies space in both Weld and Boulder counties. It’s a home-rule municipality located about 34 miles from Denver. The population in 2020 was just under 99,000. Downtown Longmont is a Certified Colorado Creative District.
Drive down Main Street to visit a bustling assortment of craft breweries, pubs, cafes, theaters, art galleries, and specialty shops. You can enjoy listening to world-famous recording artists at the Dickens Opera House or take in various other types of performances at the Stewart Auditorium.
Of course, the Denver area is renowned for its natural splendor and there’s never a shortage of inspiring outdoor activities. For example, you could enjoy:
You can also enjoy numerous options for golfing, bird watching, camping, hunting, fishing, and nature photography in and around Longmont. And after you build your appetite with all the excitement, you can sit down to delicious meals in more than 100 local Longmont restaurants.
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