STL- Best Grass Types 

Pros:

• Requires less water  than zoysia and fescue because its roots can extend more than 4 ft. into the soil

• Will grow rapidly to fill in bare spots and repair dead or damaged spots.  This is a huge plus for lawns that receive a lot of abuse from pets, children, and a lot of foot traffic

• Establishes rapidly from plugs

• Does have a level of salt tolerance

Cons:

• Dormant straw color during the winter

• Will rapidly spread into planter beds and a neighbor's yard (could be a positive depending on their lawn)

• Can grow into asphalt edges

• Low tolerance for shade

• Must be maintained at a low height

• Requires a more fertilizer than other grass types

Suitable Varieties For Our Area Based on Winter Hardiness:

Ironcutter, Tahoma 31, *Yukon, *Latitue 36

*seeded

Pros: 

• Can be striped like no other

• Easy to establish (less time and money in the short term)

• Beautiful dark green color for much of the year

• Deep roots if maintained at a tall height of cut

• Excellent shade tolerance *in fact, shade trees help carry the tall fescue through the summer heat by blocking some of the rays.

Cons:

• Hot summers will have a negative impact on the grass's health, likely killing parts of your yard

• Will not repair itself. Damaged areas must be fixed with seed or sod 

• Will likely need to be reseeded every year 

• Must be maintained very Tall 3.5-4.25" in summer to help with the heat

• Requires a lot of water during the hot summer days 

• Requires more fertilizer than zoysia, but less than bermuda

• Often invaded by wild bermuda

Suitable Varieties For Our Area:

Any turf-type tall fescue

Not Kentucky 31 or K31

Link to the recommendation from Virginia State University. (scroll down to tall fescues)