You want a thick, green lawn so lush and luxurious that it makes the neighbors jealous, stops traffic in front of your house and makes you ditch all your shoes because walking on it barefoot feels so good.
Dream big, right? And all this starts with tiny little grass seeds. But which kind?
Read more about the benefits of a grass seed blend, and other Idaho grass seed tips, including:
- How Idaho weather helps you choose the best grass seed
- What’s so great about Kentucky bluegrass?
- Why perennial ryegrass is an Idaho favorite
- Got shade? Try finefescue
- The beauty of blends
- How to care for your new grass seed, from water to weeds
What’s the best grass species for Idaho?
Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are Idaho favorites. But the best grass seed for Idaho is actually those two grass seeds mixed together.
Here's why:
Idaho's Cold Weather Narrows Your Grass Seed Choices
Start browsing common types of grass seed, and you’ll discover warm-season and cool-season grasses.
Warm-season grasses endure the hot weather of southern climates. Cool-season grasses grow quickly in the cool weather of fall and spring before going dormant in the summer heat.
Idaho's cooler climate means that your go-to grass should be cool-season.
This type of seed is winter hardy but still holds up well in the summer heat.
Kentucky Bluegrass: The Most Popular Grass Seed for Idaho Falls Lawns
Kentucky bluegrass is the most popular cool-season grass, in part due to its beautiful, rich green color. It’s one of the best grass seeds for full sun.
If you let Kentucky bluegrass brag for a bit, it has a lot to boast about, including:
- It’s great at spreading. Kentucky bluegrass spreads through underground stems called rhizomes, which create a dense turf that can fill in bare areas nicely.
- It doesn’t mind the cold. Kentucky bluegrass can stand up to Idaho’s cold winters. Other grasses would beg for mittens.
- It looks great. Its dark green color and soft texture make Kentucky bluegrass a homeowner favorite.
- It’s tough. Kentucky bluegrass holds up to wear-and-tear like soccer-playing kids and can recover well from damage
Another Great Idaho Grass: Perennial Rye
Perennial ryegrass is another of the best grass species for Idaho and a widely used cool-season grass. It’s known for its quick germination and lush, long-lasting color. Because it germinates quickly, it’s perfect for new lawns.
Deep-rooted, with a nice dark green color and good density, this grass also holds up well to wear and resists insects.
Ryegrass blends well with other grasses and adds disease and insect resistance to bluegrass mixes.
Got Shade? Try Fine Fescue for Shaded Lawns
Fescue isn’t a top choice here in Idaho but it makes our list because it’s among the best grass seeds for shade, so it grows well where Kentucky bluegrass and perennial rye struggle to grow.
Fine fescues are the most shade-tolerant among cool-season grasses.
Fescues are typically thinner and lack the deep green color of Kentucky bluegrass, which is why they’re not among the most common types of grass seed here.
Why is the Best Lawn Grass Seed for Idaho a Blend?
What grass seed do professionals use? When you want the best grass seed for Idaho, go for a mix of 80 percent Kentucky Bluegrass and 20 percent Perennial Ryegrass.
It’s smart to go for a blend. Unlike a single-variety grass seed, blends give you the benefits of more than one variety or species.
Blends are also more likely to withstand diseases than single-species lawns because of their genetic diversity.
Using a blend reduces the chance of one grass type being wiped out by an insect or disease problem.
Different grass types also have different traits. One type may do better in drought conditions, and the other may be more disease-resistant.
You’ve Got the Best Idaho Grass Seed: Now What?
Narrowing down the types of grass seed is just the beginning. Get your Idaho lawn off to a good start with these tips:
Watering Tips for New Grass Seed
New grass seed has to stay moist so it can germinate. It needs more frequent watering than mature grass does, in smaller amounts.
Aim for light, steady watering two or three times a day. After four to six weeks, you can transition to longer, less-frequent watering periods.
You want your grass to have to search for water, sending its roots deeper into the soil. That encourages the roots to grow longer and deeper, which means your grass will be healthier.
Why New Lawns Need Regular Fertilization
New grass is hungry. Apply 16-16-16 fertilizer (sometimes called 'starter' fertilizer) to your newly seeded lawn to promote new top growth and a healthy root system.
Shoot for two treatments about 4-6 weeks apart.
As your baby grass matures, switch to regular fertilizer.
Avoid Applying Weed Killer to Newly-Germinated Seeds
Everybody hates weeds. But don’t rush to apply weed killer. That powerful stuff will also kill your tender new grass.
Wait until you’ve mowed at least four times before treating grass with weed control. Speaking of mowing…
Avoid Mowing New Grass (Even When It Starts Getting Tall)
Mowing is super fun, but hold off until your new grass is about three inches high.
And don’t mow it too short. Only remove about a third of the height. Taller grass helps a lawn grow thicker and stay greener.
Grow the Best Grass in Idaho with Lawn Buddies
Once you have the best grass seed for Idaho sprouting happily in your yard, be sure to nourish your new grass with everything it needs to grow healthy and strong.
Choose lawn care and landscaping services in Boise and Idaho Falls that bundle your yard’s most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan.
Fertilizing, weed control, grub control. Done. We’ve got your back.
Got a few minutes? That’s all you need to get started. Just fill out the form on this page, call us at (208) 656-9131 or read more about our services. Then, you can kick back and relax in your healthy, thriving yard.
