For most homeowners, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as growing a beautifully lush lawn. In Southern Ontario, growing a picturesque lawn comes with its own challenges. Even with the best grass seed in Ontario, you need to be equipped with the right tools and knowledge to be successful.
Continue reading this blog to learn more about the different types of grass and how to properly grow a thick and healthy lawn in Southern Ontario.
Understanding Ontario’s Climate and Its Impact on Grass Selection
Southern Ontario is a unique region that experiences a wide range of weather conditions. During the winter, temperatures often reach below zero with much warmer periods throughout the spring and summer months. With different seasons, it’s important to understand your climate, region and how to determine the most suitable types of grass for your Ontario lawn.
These questions will help you determine the best grass seed for Ontario homes:
- Does this type of grass seed do well in cold weather?
- How much maintenance does this grass seed require?
- Is it shade tolerant grass in Ontario?
- What does its watering schedule look like?
Popular Grass Seed Types in Southern Ontario
Only certain types of grass perform well in Southern Ontario. From heavy rainfall to snowy winters, choosing the right type of grass is essential in helping your lawn thrive. The best grass seed types include:
Kentucky Bluegrass: A Cool Season Favorite
Kentucky Bluegrass is a favourite among many homeowners for a reason. With proper care and maintenance, it can produce the lush lawn you’ve always wanted.
It does require a high level of maintenance to ensure it looks great all year round.
Fescue: Durable and Shade Tolerant
A popular option for homeowners in cooler climates is fescue. This perennial grass type does well in warm and cool climates.
It also requires minimal maintenance in the winter. It may, however, develop brown patches during the warmer months.
Ryegrass: Quick Germination and Winter Color
This is the best grass seed if you’re looking to expedite germination rates and seed growth.
It’s easy to distinguish by its fine blades and its ability to maintain its colour throughout the cooler months.
Canada Bluegrass: Shade Tolerant and Drought Resistant
Canada Bluegrass is known for its stunning shade of blue-green leaves and flat stems. This is one of the best shade tolerant grasses in Ontario and can withstand a moderate form of drought.
Key Considerations for Each Grass Type
For many types of grass in Ontario, there are important things to consider before you purchase it. Some grass types require more maintenance than others while some do a better job at warding off pests. Here are the main points to consider when choosing the best grass seed:
Maintenance Needs
Kentucky Bluegrass and Ryegrass requires much more maintenance than the rest of the grass types. Landscaping and organic fertilization must be done to achieve the optimal light levels for Kentucky Bluegrass. With Ryegrass, frequent watering of your lawn is required for it to look its best.
For a more low-maintenance landscaping option, consider Fescue and Canada Bluegrass. They work well in frigid temperatures and do not require as much attention and care.
Watering Requirements
Ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass must be on a consistent watering schedule. However, Kentucky Bluegrass does require a good amount of watering.
Fescue can be watered on a weekly basis with approximately 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
Canada Bluegrass requires much less watering in the colder months.
Disease and Pest Resistance
The best grass seed for Ontario homes include those that are resistant to pests and diseases. These include Rye Grass, Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescues.
With these grass types, you won’t have to worry about pests destroying your new lawn or diseases ruining any progress.
Suitability for High Traffic Areas
Rye Grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Fescues are all resistant to high areas of foot traffic.
No matter how much foot traffic your lawn comes across, these grass seed types are guaranteed to hold up well against it.
Preparing Soil for Planting
The best way to achieve a lush and dense lawn is to properly prepare the soil. With the right tools and some time and effort, you can ensure you have a beautiful lawn in no time.
Follow these steps to prepare your soil for planting:
- Use a lawn tool to help break up the soil and remove any clumps or rocks. Dig into the soil about 4 to 6 inches to do so. You can make the soil wet so it’s easier to remove these obstructions.
- Complete a soil test to understand the soil’s pH levels and fertility rates. This can be done through a garden supply center or an agricultural department at a local college or university.
- Ensure that the area you want to plant the seed is level. You can do this by raking the soil and filling in any holes.
- Evenly spread a layer of top soil across the area you wish to plant.
- Sprinkle the grass seeds using a mechanical spreader, and make sure to add a thin layer of soil on top of the seeds.
- Lightly water the grass seed for a maximum of two times per day. Continue this process until the grass has grown two inches.
To learn more about the best methods to plant seed, check out the most effective ways to plant grass seed.
Sod vs. Seeding
There are significant differences between sodding and seeding. JHC Landscaping provides all you need to know about sod vs. seed. Sodding provides you with an instantly beautiful lawn. It refers to a patch of previously grown grass that’s carefully rolled out onto moist soil. It takes roughly 2 to 3 weeks for sodding to take root.
One of the most popular types of grass in Ontario is sodding. This is because it instantaneously provides homeowners with a lush, green lawn. An experienced team like the ones at JHC Landscaping can help with professional sod installation.
Seeding refers to the process of planting grass seeds to grow a beautiful lawn. There are many different types of grass to choose from. The cost of growing a lawn from grass seed is much less than sodding.
Creating a Lush, Green Toronto Lawn
Need the best grass seed for Toronto? JHC Landscaping has a team of professional landscapers ready install your new lawn. From seeding and sodding to paving and interlocking, we offer a wide range of landscaping services for residents in Toronto and the GTA. Contact us for more information on our landscaping services.