Grasses used in Maine are often seeded in late summer. Late summer (August 15 to September 15) seeding allows turf grass seeds to germinate rapidly in the warm soil. The warm days and cool nights are ideal for seedling growth. In addition, there is less weed competition in late summer than in early spring. If weeds are not a concern on your site, late spring (May) seeding can result in an excellent lawn. Summer seeding can also yield a high-quality turf, but you must irrigate frequently to prevent the seed from drying out. Cool-season grasses such as the following are used in Maine:

Kentucky bluegrass - Kentucky bluegrass is a persistent and attractive species that is used in many home lawns, institutional grounds, parks, and athletic fields. This species has a medium to fine leaf texture and a medium- to dark-green color when properly fertilized. It produces extensive underground stems, called rhizomes, which provide good sod-forming characteristics and superior recuperative potential when compared to most other cool-season turfgrasses. Kentucky bluegrass is cold tolerant, wear tolerant, and moderately heat and drought tolerant. It makes optimum growth during the spring and fall and becomes semi-dormant under prolonged periods of heat and drought. It usually recovers quickly from dormancy with the advent of cooler temperatures and adequate soil moisture.

Perennial ryegrasses are bunching cool season grasses that are compatible in appearance with bluegrass, do not form thatch, have good heat tolerance and may be drought resistant. They tend to be disease prone and offer poor freezing tolerance if flooded or exposed to wind. Perennial ryegrasses is designed for full sun areas, but will tolerate some shade. Ryegrass is bred to give a pleasing dark green color, with a fine texture and excellent mowing qualities. Is also a very good choice for blends with Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue.

Fine-leaf Fescues - Fine fescues have an extremely narrow, almost needle-like leaf blade. They are included in turfgrass mixtures for their excellent shade tolerance. Fine-leaf fescue often appears in neglected lawns because it withstands a high pH. Due to its fine texture, fine-leaf fescue is often difficult to mow.

Bentgrass - This fine-textured grass is unique among cool-season grasses in its ability to be cut at heights of 1/2 inch or less. It has a high disease potential, poor drought tolerance and requires extremely high levels of maintenance. Bentgrass is a weed in home lawns and should be left on the golf course where it belongs.

Click Name To View Grass Seed Choice		Type	Applications
Bentgrass Colonial - Highland		Cool Season	Lawns - Full Sun
Bentgrass Colonial - SR 7150		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Courses - Full Sun
Cool Season Mix - Showtime		Cool Season	Lawns - Full Sun to Moderate Shade Rye, Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue Mix
Cool Season Mix - Garland		Cool Season	Lawns - Full Sun to Moderate Shade Rye, Fine Fescue Mix
Fescue/Bluegrass Mix - Combat Extreme North		Cool Season	Lawns - Wear Tolerant
Fine Fescue Blend - Legacy		Cool Season	Lawns - Full Sun To Moderate Shade
Kentucky Bluegrass - Bluegrass Supreme		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Gourses - Full Sun
Kentucky Bluegrass - Midnight		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Courses - Full Sun
OSP Ryegrass		Cool Season	Lawns - Golf Courses - Southern Winter Overseed
Shade Grass - Poa Supina Mix		Cool Season	Lawns - Full Sun - Deep Shade - Best Shade Grass

Legacy Fine Fescue

Fescue Blend

 

Over the centuries, fine fescues have been renowned for their survival under extreme conditions. They grow in infertile and dry soils, tolerate close mowing heights, deep shade and grow in places where turf is neglected, tortured and forgotten. In these areas, fescues endure. Fine fescues produce an attractive, uniform stand with a medium-green to dark-green color. These grasses are extremely fine-textured

• Close-Mowing
• Lawns
• Resilient

Poa Supina

Full Shade Tolerance

 

Supranova Poa Supina is the elite shade grass for dense shade in cool season areas. This is the best primo shade lawn grass on market today. It is specially designed for deep shade and little water although it has been used for golf courses, lawns, and athletic field turf for over twenty years. Supranova shade grass has been developed over the last 20 years and the breeding keeps improving.

• Full Shade
• Full Sun
• High End

Below is the USDA Zone Map for Maine so you can determine which zone you reside in. Below that are our picks for your state which will do best in your area. Next on this page are tables which list various grasses and their characteristics so you can compare before you decide on your purchase. Click on the product name (ie. Midnight) for more information about that grass and to make your purchase.

USDA Zone Map For Maine