5 Best Grass Types for Kalamazoo, MI

The Wolverine State, the Mitten State, the Great Lake State. Whatever you call it, Michigan is known for its natural beauty and unique geography. No city in Michigan is more unique than the city of Kalamazoo, known for its Potawatomi name, which has appeared in everything from Johnny Cash songs to Dr. Seuss books. 

It’s a great place to call home, especially if home – meaning your yard – is as attractive as the rest of the city. Don’t worry about going all the way to Timbuktu to learn what grass works for your Kalamazoo lawn. We cover the very best types below.

In this article:

5 Cool-Season Grasses for Kalamazoo

In Michigan, where each season is distinct and vibrant and winters are frosty, cool-season grasses thrive. Cool-season grasses grow actively in early spring and fall. These grasses stay green late into the fall season before going dormant.

Here is a closer look at each.

Tall Fescue

Close up image of tall fescue grass

Photo Credit: Ty Haller / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Tall fescue is a turfgrass that is native to Europe. It arrived in the United States in the 1800s. Now, this grass can be found all over the world.

This grass is very popular because it requires little maintenance and is incredibly durable. Tall fescue is a good option for homeowners concerned with conserving water. It possesses strong resistance to disease and insects. Tall fescue is a coarse grass that grows rapidly. As a weed, it can be tough to manage when mixed with other turfgrasses, so it’s best to seed tall fescue in a pure stand.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Bunch-type

Drought tolerance: High

Foot traffic tolerance: High

Shade tolerance: Moderate

Maintenance needs: Low

Recommended mowing height: No higher than 3 inches

Fine Fescue

Fine fescue grasses do well in shady locations. Chewings fescue, sheep fescue, and hard fescue are bunch-type grasses that grow slowly. Creeping red fescues, on the other hand, spread more rapidly because they have rhizomes.

Unlike tall fescue, it is best not to seed fine fescue in a pure stand due to its tendency to accumulate thatch. Fine fescue does well when blended with Kentucky bluegrass, however. Fine fescue can attract butterflies to your lawn but reists grazing animals like deer.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Bunch-type, rhizomes (creeping red only)

Drought tolerance: High

Foot traffic tolerance: Low

Shade tolerance: High

Maintenance needs: Low

Recommended mowing height: 2 to 3 inches 

Colonial Bentgrass

Colonial bentgrass thrives in cool coastal regions but can be found in lawns and golf courses all over Michigan. This soft, fine-bladed, light green grass is great for picture-perfect lawns. But you can expect to spend more time maintaining colonial bentgrass due to its low tolerance to foot traffic and drought.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Rhizomes

Drought tolerance: Low

Foot traffic tolerance: Low

Shade tolerance: Moderate

Maintenance needs: Moderate to high

Recommended mowing height: ½ to 1 inch

Kentucky Bluegrass

Close up image of kentucky bluegrass

Photo Credit: Pilot138-17 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Kentucky bluegrass is the most popular turfgrass in Michigan and for good reason. This grass is known for being long-lasting and recovering well in areas with high traffic. Blended with other turfgrasses, Kentucky bluegrass thrives under a variety of conditions. It can be identified by its distinctive boat-shaped leaves which are dark green in color.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Rhizomes

Drought tolerance: Low

Foot traffic tolerance: High

Shade tolerance: Moderate

Maintenance needs: Moderate

Recommended mowing height: 2 to 2 ½ inches

Perennial Ryegrass

closeup image of a perennial ryegrass

Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Perennial ryegrass is great for use in lawns with heavy foot traffic because of how quickly it establishes. These grasses have long growing seasons and can also be used for grazing. Perennial ryegrass is very adaptable to a wide variety of soils but does best in fertile, well-drained soil.

Classification: Cool-season grass

Spreads by: Bunch-type

Drought tolerance: High

Foot traffic tolerance: High

Shade tolerance: Low

Maintenance needs: Moderate

Recommended mowing height: 1 to 2 inches 

Warm-Season and Alternative Grass Options for Kalamazoo

Warm-season grasses grow actively in late spring and summer. While these grasses thrive better in southern states, they can be extremely low maintenance due to their drought tolerance. If you’re looking for alternative lawn options that require less mowing, grasslike perennials can be a good choice.

Buffalo Grass

California Buffalograss in a house backyard in California

Photo Credit: Susan Harris / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Buffalo grass is one of the most drought-tolerant grasses. While warm-season grasses such as this one may brown earlier in the fall than cool season grasses, this grass does well once established.

Buffalo grass has high seed and sod costs. However, buffalograss can be sustained with very little fertilizer, water, or mowing. It also resists weeds more than other varieties.

Classification: Warm-season grass

Spreads by: Stolons

Drought tolerance: High

Foot traffic tolerance: Low

Shade tolerance: Low

Maintenance needs: Low

Recommended mowing height: 1 to 2 inches

Pennsylvania Sedge

Close up of pennsylvania sedge grass

Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Pennsylvania sedge is a grasslike plant that is a perfect ground cover alternative for lawns. When planted properly, this perennial functions like a lawn but requires minimal mowing or fertilizing. Good for areas with heavy shade, Pennsylvania sedge is perfect for a woodland garden.

Classification: Grass-like perennial

Spreads by: Rhizomes

Drought tolerance: High

Foot traffic tolerance: Low

Shade tolerance: High

Maintenance needs: Low

Recommended mowing height: 3 to 4 inches

FAQ

What is the best grass type for a low-maintenance lawn?

Tall fescue is not only low maintenance but a very durable grass type.

What is the best grass type for a lawn that gets a lot of foot traffic?

Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass are the best options for lawns that get a lot of use.

What is the best grass type for a shady lawn?

Fine fescue grasses tolerate heavy shade very well.

What is the best grass type for a pet-friendly lawn?

Tall fescue, creeping red fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are all good grass types for homeowners with pets due to their high urine tolerance.

The Final Word

Each of these common Kalamazoo grass types has characteristics that make it suitable for certain lawn conditions. Homeowners should select the grass type that best aligns with their lawn’s conditions, aesthetic preferences, and the level of maintenance they prefer. 
Other ways to make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood and help it thrive in Michigan’s weather is by incorporating native plants. Check out our list of native plants to find low maintenance options that can survive Michigan winters. For help with lawn maintenance in Kalamazoo, contact your local professional.

Main Photo Credit: Andrew Jameson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

About Wikilawn

Wikilawn’s mission is to provide the best resources and information to help you enjoy your outdoor spaces the way you want. Whether you are a DIY, lawn-loving, gardening guru, or someone who wants help in picking a local lawn care professional, we can smooth your path to a beautiful backyard!

About Wikilawn

Wikilawn’s mission is to provide the best resources and information to help you enjoy your outdoor spaces the way you want. Whether you are a DIY, lawn-loving, gardening guru, or someone who wants help in picking a local lawn care professional, we can smooth your path to a beautiful backyard!