You WILL FAIL at Lawn Care without Knowing This!

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0:00-0:33 Intro
0:34-1:02 Different Types of Grasses
1:03-1:23 Cool Season Grasses
1:24-4:07 Kentucky Bluegrass
4:08-6:01 Turf Type Tall Fescue
6:01-7:25 Perennial Ryegrass
7:26-7:54 Fine Fescue
7:55-8:29 Transition Zone and Warm Season Grasses
8:30-8:56 Intro into Warm Season Grass
8:57-10:37 Bermuda
10:38-11:12 Zoysia
11:13-11:54 St. Augustine
11:55-13:47 Centipede
13:47-14:05 Outro
Stop wasting time and money on lawn care that doesn't work! This video is your quick and easy guide to identifying your grass type.
We'll break down the key differences between cool-season and warm-season grasses, showing you exactly what to look for. Learn the pros and cons of each type.
Stop the lawn care guessing game! Watch this video and become a lawn identification pro. With this newfound knowledge, you can unlock a healthier, greener, and more beautiful lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood.
For some of the darkest cool season grass seed on the market visit:
thelawnlife.com
Subscribe to TJ's KZbin channel at / @thelawndad
My favorite micros:
Organic Liquid Kelp: amzn.to/43ygUKP
Green Envy: amzn.to/43v3orh
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer: Results may vary with location, weather, application rates, and applicator. Follow your local laws and application guidelines. Wear proper PPE.
LAWN LIFE assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video.
Due to factors beyond the control of LAWN LIFE, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.
Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, products or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not LAWN LIFE.
#lawnlife #lawncare #lawncaretips

[@PrincessCutLawnCare]

Man i'm learning a whole buncha new things today!

[@matthodel946]

You also cover great subject matter George. You and Jesse rock! I post many of your and Jesse's videos on Pinterest and I had 60M views of my images last year. Just doing my part to fill the airwaves with knowledge.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Love it!

[@richhubert1260]

who doesn't love them some " LAWN LIFE " uploads!

[@stevequach1869]

This is by far the best lawn video I’ve ever seen! Information, cinematography, sound, graphics, and length of video, all superb.

[@a.trujillo3359]

I’ve been in lawn care for a while now and all I lay for my clients is Kentucky Bluegrass. Can’t beat the deep green and the rhizomes are super active during the spring and fall, which my clients love. It does take more water but if you cycle soak and use the right stimulants you can keep it green year-round. You just need to know the trick. ;) Great video!

[@populistparty2010]

Thank you for this video! I have been searching for answers as to how to identify the 4 or 5 different types of grass in my lawn. This was so helpful. Especially good to understand the characteristics of perennial ryegrass.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

The editing in your videos is next level 😍

[@armenmarkarian8358]

This was an awesome and informative video. Thank you for the knowledge, sir! And thank you for sharing BetterHelp! It will def come in handy with my family and being a better Stepdad. My wife loves the end of your video’s when you say “NOW GET OFF MY LAWN!!” Keep up the great videos sir and praying for you and your family. God Bless Jesse and take care of yourself.

[@prospectfields]

Thank You Jesse for the putting us in your video. We are putting perennial ryegrass (blackout) on another outfield area today

[@LAWNLIFE]

Awesome to hear man!

[@lakehouselawncare1755]

That video was 🔥🔥🔥 well done my friend! I enjoyed every second, including the part about better help. I teach a health class with a focus on mental health as part of my day job.

[@GriffithLawnLabs]

Hey Jesse and TJ! Great collab video! You both did an awesome job breaking down the different grass types. I especially appreciated the clear visuals and specific tips for identifying each variety. As a warm season grass guy myself, I can vouch that TJ knows his stuff! 😉 Bermuda for the win! Keep up the great content. I'm always happy to contribute some B-roll to help out my fellow lawn care guys spread the word about proper turf maintenance.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for submitting footage man. I appreciate it!

[@TheLawnDad]

Thank you my man!! 🤝🏻🫶🏼

[@rustbucketstarship]

I live in the transition zone. A lot of people where I live plant buffalo grass. It's very tough grass. It can handle the heat and cold weather. Buffalo grass takes a long time to grow. It can establish itself over the course of two to three growing seasons. I mow mine to no less than 2 inches. It likes to stay tall.

[@pestandlawnginja]

Great information! Love it!

[@Ret2Play]

One of the best tutorials I've seen on identifying grass types...thanks!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@joelbella71]

Man, I’ve needed this video in my life. I have my lawn preferences all wrong even though I know a lot about lawn care and have one of the nicest lawns in the neighborhood. 🤯

[@LAWNLIFE]

Glad it helped!

[@aucupomeliora]

Best video I’ve come across on identifying and caring for lawn types. Great video work!

[@thangknowa3288]

Centipede - "The Lazy Man's Lawn". Once established, it is indeed a pleasure. I love mine.

[@TheLawnDad]

It’s a great grass when you know its quirks. I’ve seen some beautiful centipede lawns! Thanks for watching

[@Masshole78]

Great video as always dude. Been managing turfgrass on major championship golf courses for 25 years. From someone who has degrees in turf and plant pathology I felt like I was back at umass hungover in lab microscope on turf blades. Yardbrah got your seed killing it on his lawn. Keep the info coming big dawg. Love this time a year managing bentgrass from winter into spring mowing at .110 on greens

[@LAWNLIFE]

I love how you added the hungover part 😂. Are you still managing now?

[@walterbarrera7394]

Wow, this video is probably the best I’ve ever seen when explaining the difference type of grass. Thank you sooo much ! I took so much notes to remind myself and memorize. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@BobPluss]

Thanks guys! This was awesome!!

[@liveyourbestlawn]

Great video! Very informative.

[@VRSTLPerformance]

thanks for the video Jesse! Amazing content as usual

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@GarageGear]

Awesome Video LOADED with good info! Nice Work! 👍

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching man!

[@williamwade7059]

Great combo video, not into warm season grass, but it was informative

[@TheLawnDad]

Thanks for watching!

[@creemail]

LawnLife this is among the best content delivered! Love your content. Your lawn is simply incredible.

[@MichaelD-gh8go]

Thank you so much! I realize that we have bermuda grass--not zoysia. I never knew these were seed heads and not weeds!

[@mattb9664]

I just seeded with your TTTF+ KBG mix here in NJ into an existing fine fescue and Mazama mix- this year is just like last year though where the germination is taking a little longer because of some of the nightly temp dips (which was not the case in April 2022 where seed grew like magic). Can't wait to try out some of the PRG only that I got for a front yard repair as well.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for the support Matt. Send me some pics once it comes in fully!

[@robertander1386]

Great video as usual. Thanks for sharing this content, it helped me a lot.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@MEvans857]

Always bring’en that fire 🔥 Much appreciated!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@So_pho_king_awesome]

Thank you for posting this very informative video.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@LegendaryLawnCare89]

Great video by Lawn Life & Lawn Dad! They provide excellent information on identifying different grass types.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheLawnDad]

Thank you for watching!

[@spyghetti]

Skoal, draft day! thanks for the awesome video.. I'm always trying to make better lawn decisions especially when it comes to seed and grass types up here in the Midwest.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Who we drafting tonight??

[@grizzsoup]

Thank you Jesse and TJ for this guide to identify grass types. Found it very informative and helpful. Appreciate the visuals as well. Keep up the good work.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching grizz!

[@TheLawnDad]

Thank you!

[@TimE_5150]

Great video, thank you very much!

[@tonybilderback8732]

Good information in this video Jesse, thank you. Some clips looked familiar 😂

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for you help on this one Tony!

[@tonybilderback8732]

@@LAWNLIFE my pleasure

[@robertlevy4613]

Amazing video, thank you

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@mattb9664]

Very good info and summary (and refresher!)- another con for KBG- once it greens up out of winter dormancy, it can still take another month for it to actually begin growing again. This can be a problem in the following season after a renovation when all the other weeds, especially Poa seeds that were stirred up, get a 6 wk head start while the KBG is still patiently waiting until mid-late May to start taking off and spreading. I have a competitor's Stover KBG/PRG mix in my front yard- and in my side yard which I just did in August. The side yard is struggling, partially because I tried fast tracking the kill-off... but lots of Poa triv ended up returning, and now I get to pick it out before spot killing with Green Shoots.

[@blaiseducdaumont1280]

Matt, did you experience a lot of stems and stauk development growth from the perennial ryegrass that you used in your side yard renovation this Spring?? I had a new front lawn seeded last Fall using The Preferred Seed Company's 50/50 Supreme mix and it has developed a yellow cast to it because of all of the perennial ryegrass seed stems and I really hate the look of it. I don't know what to do, I cut it down to two and a half inches but I don't know how to get rid of the stems.

[@mattb9664]

Yes, the seed stalks started in the 2nd half of May, and I'm still getting them a bit now.

[@mattb9664]

Yes, started getting stalks in the 2nd half of May and they are just about done. I believe scalping is how to get rid of them once they're done popping up and that's what I did last year- just make sure the lawn isn't under stress from herbicides like mine was for the last 10-12 days, where the growth was partially slowed. I will probably do a 2-part drop-down scalp to 2" then to 1.5"-1" depending on how it looks, then let it come back to 3". I'll also put my 'good' blades on where I no longer want to run over sticks and only mow at 2.5"-3" at this point, after scalping, which prevents tearing and white-tops. The 'yellowish' could also be a sign that some iron and nitrogen is needed all-around- but if you sprayed herbicides, the smaller weeds may turn yellowish green and may just stay like that rather than browning then disappearing- you'll see it from different angles depending on how the sun is cast onto the ground. Some of the green will lighten up too from herbicides during stress, then darken again once growing resumes.

[@richardknight7429]

This is the videos I needed, I have about 4 different grass types I'm dealing with at this moment 😂 I'm in the transition zone so it's confusing because this is my first spring at this home.

[@omeryetik]

There are regenerative varieties of perennial ryegrass which grows via stolons like the RPR.

[@swhalen996]

Excellent video.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@perks2686]

Thanks Jesse awesome video. Looks like you’ve got a new digs. 🎉

[@LAWNLIFE]

We were actually in Iowa for this one filming on a Subscribers lawn. Mine was still dormant!

[@Dr.Reason]

Enjoyed this presentation but things have changed dynamically. I have learned the hard way that each category you described now has a multitude of variations of wildly different natures. I’m STILL looking for a matching Kentucky Bluegrass for my front lawn and a matching rye for me back lawn. I have 8 bags of tries that are not even close! I’m still looking.

[@rocktman81]

Nice grass guide. Thanks.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@FeHopeCyndiW]

I failed at lawn care this past year! We moved into a new house, and it had a nice lawn. There are few lawns in my town because of the dryness, but I hate to get rid of it because I grew up in Michigan and it reminds me of my youth. My husband took care of the lawn for the first summer, and it looked great. Then, he died from cancer treatment complications. So, last summer, all I managed to do was mow and irrigate. So, between that and the 95-pound puppy, the lawn is not looking great this spring. I have some work to do . . . I have no idea what type of grass we have, but, after watching this video, that will get fixed in the morning. (My neighbors already think I'm odd, so I probably shouldn't go wandering around the yard at 11 pm, looking at my grass blades.) We are in a transition zone, but my guess is we have cool season grass because we are at 7,500 feet. It doesn't get hot here, but the sun/UV is pretty intense during the summer. Thanks for the info!

[@hongsitu3429]

There's a third type of grass called weeds. I guess we can lump that together with warm season grasses.

[@LAWNLIFE]

😂

[@harryharry3193]

yeah.....that st aug is a crabgrass lookalike.

[@Arietje]

For fine fescue I would like to add that it can be very nice looking, when cut very short. Think Barenbrug Bar Fescue.

[@robertlark10]

Must be that time of year! He’s back 💪!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Robs back commenting! I appreciate you man!

[@robertlark10]

@@LAWNLIFE you and a few others I follow cut out the bs and focus on the real education of the lawn community. WE appreciate YOU!

[@BleuxvBenji]

Thanks Jesse and TJ for bringing us this lesson today. These are things I never knew about cool season and warm season grass. I’m in the transition zone I hate it here 😂😂😂

[@LAWNLIFE]

The transition zone can be brutal Benji! Thanks for always supporting man!

[@TheLawnDad]

Thanks for watching!

[@bigbearbear5458]

Does anyone has experience with the Barenbrug RPR Perennial Ryegrass? According to Barenbrug, this type of Perennial Ryegrass also spreads and repairs itself like Kentucky Bluegrass, they have stolons that helps them spread. I have some of the SS9000 left from seed superstore and once I'm used those up I think I will give the Barenbrug RPR a try.

[@kBasti4511]

Very good explanations! Now the same with Poa Annua, Trivialis etc etc.. :D

[@LAWNLIFE]

Haha maybe in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@mainj54]

A lot of the newest TTTF cultivars are lateral spread. They fill in but not as quickly as bluegrass.

[@LAWNLIFE]

I didn't want to go too deep for beginners

[@Piccolo_Re]

Where I live, I have a mixture. A rep for one of the biggest seed companies in the US said it’s best in my area to have a diversified lawn instead of a monostand. Monostands can get wiped out by a disease easily if you aren’t constantly treating them with fungicides which a lot are very bad for the environment and can even cause cancer.

[@hankstrickland5011]

What doesn’t cause cancer now days lmao

[@Miniscapes515]

Good stuff

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@booombyybyy]

@LAWNLIFE spf30 hybrid Kentucky blue grass can servive in south Florida.

[@bareminimumlawn6889]

Liked and shared 👊

[@todmanning]

Yet another extremely informative video. Regarding how KBG will split at the tip if you run your finger along the leaf blade, is that the only poa variant that does that? I ask because I have primarily PRG but I also have a clumping, broader-leafed grass I’m having trouble identifying. It’s a dark green and blends well with my PRG with the exception of the blade width. I had started to think it was poa triv but the color is much darker than what I think poa triv would be. And thanks to you when I take a close look at the blade it looks like the example you show of KBG. The tip splits just as you show it. I’m just not sure if poa triv does as well so any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Yes, other poa plants have boat shaped tips as well. And believe it or not, there is some triv that is dark. You can send it into a university and they'll identify it for you if you're having trouble.

[@todmanning]

@@LAWNLIFE thanks. It was more about how the tip splits on KBG. I’m hoping it doesn’t on triv.

[@mattskillman]

The best explanation I've seen of these grass types. Thanks!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewtuck2349]

What’s the best way to control the tall turf fescue in a lawn of blue grass and ryegrass? I’ve got a bunch of spots of fescue that are ugly, I’d like to remove

[@brianmalubag9387]

I wish your products deliver in Montreal Canada. That would be rhizomic ventures...lol

[@LAWNLIFE]

I wish I could deliver there as well!

[@angeloayuyu4059]

I'm in MN too. Where do you buy your Peat moss?

[@matthodel946]

I'm not a fan of fescues. They just don't have the look I like. I actually dig it out any time I see it in my lawn. I'm still interested in chasing your Fireball and Hat Trick overseeding adventures come fall. My wife hates grass, how much time I spend in my lawn, and all the neighbors that stop and ask questions. Ha. Thank you for all of your outstanding videos Jesse!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for your support Matt. Most wives hate the grass thing 😂 takes up too much time apparently lol

[@Way.Truth.Life.John14_6]

As a female who loves her lawn/grass and spends a lot of her free time and money on it, this is depressing. I wish that my neighbors would 1)care enough to notice my hard work and 2)ask questions and learn. The two lawns in our neighborhood that look the best are done DIY fully by the homeowner (myself included). Yet, I feel like if others actually cared, they would ask the male of the DIYers for advice. Although, I will note that since moving in 4 summers ago, I saw a change in the neighborhood in regards to who is at least mowing the lawn. I must have rubbed off on some of the other women at least a little. But, talking to them about lawn care and lawn mower upkeep, etc…blank stares.

[@1amelka]

Fescue is my favourite grass type, Walking on it barefoot is like walking on clouds and this guy wants to keep it in the shade!! What???

[@mattadulting]

You forgot about all my Poa trivialis lawn.... TTTF in the transition zone here.

[@LAWNLIFE]

😂 sorry man. That's brutal!

[@cheesepantsgaming1964]

Are utah, nevada and colorado cool season states? I think Utah is a desert. If anything is hot, yes it snows but I feel like it has to be transition at least. Just wondering, because I have seen kentucky blue grass in some of these places. Nevada is super hot. Just confused by the map display

[@upthecreekyt]

I have an area of centipede. There was some gas or hydraulic fluid spilled in it by some tree trimmers. It healed itself without any assistance in about a month. I'm now doing what I can to make it spread. I'll take the lazy mans grass any day. Not sure why bermuda is considered superior.

[@thebeardedgingerontheinter3256]

What's up man I got cool season turf type tall fescue from elite dropped it a few days ago in a new lawn from scratch my lawn is fuzzy green but my question is for the ungerminated seed. The air temp is saying feels like 45° but my soil temp says 65° because it's been warm now it's not if I water it at this temp with high soil temperature is that OK or will it hurt or kill or dorment the un germinated seed because the air temperature is to low. Because it's 50-70° but is it air or soil related?

[@LAWNLIFE]

I would keep watering no matter the temp right now to keep the seed moist. It'll germinate when the temps are right

[@PhantomWorks01]

Finally! I’ve been waiting for a video just like this and couldn’t find any other lawn care content creator that describes and illustrates it like this. Thank you, Jesse!

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thanks for watching man! I appreciate it!

[@PhantomWorks01]

@@LAWNLIFE FYI, I purchased the Blackout Hattrick/Fireball. Just waiting for my water to turn on and aerator to arrive. Thank you for the seed.

[@LAWNLIFE]

Thank you for the support man. I appreciate it! Send me photos once it's established!

[@PhantomWorks01]

@@LAWNLIFE will do.

[@mikebrown8180]

check our barenbrug rpr. Perennial ryegrass that spreads.

[@joedavison2675]

I live in Eastern Washington and we get 110* summers and sub zero temps in winter (technically high desert). its a pain to keep lawns looking nice.

[@LAWNLIFE]

That's rough man. Tall Fescue is probably your best bet

[@ski874]

Similar here in Colorado. I have a mix of both kgb and ttf. Humichar is da bomb for creating amazing soil to keep up with the drastic climate changes my yard is really thriving

[@rustbucketstarship]

The University of Washington has a good article to read about lawns and lawn care for your area. You might do a Google search for Sustainable lawn care - Elisabeth C. Miller Library. Also check with your local extension office.

[@marlonvalentine4034]

What about bahia grass?

[@LAWNLIFE]

You'll have to ask TJ about that one...

[@TheLawnDad]

A little less well known! Extremely easy to take care of once it roots. It doesn’t do well with traffic or shade. But low maintenance which is a plus for most!

[@56effie]

You failed to mention Rhizomatous Tall Fescue.

[@LAWNLIFE]

I tried to keep it simple for beginners. Didn't want to go crazy in depth. But I've heard rhizomatous TTTF is a play on words. It doesn't actually behave that way

[@terryosowski8143]

All you told us is the type of grass in different regions 🤷🏼

[@Zenkai76]

I live in KY and I prever Kentucky 31 over Bluegrass because it's a lazy mans grass, that stuff seems indestructible. Well actually Johnson grass is indestructible, maybe I should nuke my KY 31 and just let johnson grass take over lol....

[@dvxAznxvb]

I wanna fail Fail army Where you guys at

[@Masshole78]

Your content stays fun. Working KZbining family and fun Can’t wait to try your blackout seed this fall. What an amazing seed dude from what I see from peoples. I wish u all the success dude. Ppl like u deserve it all and more. Thank you sir 🫡

[@LAWNLIFE]

Hey man. Thank you so much for this comment. I really appreciate the thought you put into this and all of your support. I truly do! When you make this type of content people kind of take you for granted and act like you're wikipedia sometimes. I am a human and have a family and try to help people as much as I can. Thank you again!

[@youtoldharpotobeatme5023]

You left out RTF. It's a tall fescue that supposedly fills in bare spots. That's what I seeded with last fall. Other than that, this is a very informative video. Other videos overcomplicate this topic.

[@webmoss]

Supposedly, it has rhizomes but they don’t seem to function. It’s comparable to erectile dysfunction 😅

[@youtoldharpotobeatme5023]

@@webmoss 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LAWNLIFE]

I tried to keep it simple for beginners. I've heard the rhizomatous TTTF is a play on words as well

[@youtoldharpotobeatme5023]

@@LAWNLIFE keeping my fingers crossed 🤞🏽