Lawn maintenance is just one of the most time-consuming facets of handling a healthy, pristine landscape around your home. Mowing, fertilizing and watering are necessary normally. No-mow grasses are a solution to the day-in and day-out facets of a normal lawn-care routine. Many of these grasses also provide other benefits, as well.
Fineleaf Fescues
Many of the no-mow grasses are fineleaf fescues. Four different species of fineleaf fescues exist for no-mow lawns: creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra); Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. fallax comutata); sheep fescue (Festuca ovina ssp. hirtula); and hard fescue (Festuca longifolia brevipila). These fescues are hardy at U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 to 10, based on type. Most attain a mature height of 6 to 12 inches tall and droop to one side for a gentle effect.
Other Species
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) and hair grasses (Deschampsia cespitosa) are among the other alternatives in no-mow grasses to your lawn. They range in hardiness at USDA zones 5 to 10, based on different species. Blue gama and many hair grasses grow to 2 feet tall, while buffalo grass grows just 4 to 8 inches tall.
Benefits
While the fineleaf fescues are the most usual no-mow grasses planted for lawns, all of these species offer several added benefits. The fineleaf fescues are not prone to any bug infestations and rodents are rarely a problem. The fineleaf fescues develop a thick thatch which may be accountable for the shortage of issues. Even though you’re able to mow most of them back, there’s absolutely no need to, and most will do best with no mowing — or even a mowing in fall or spring. Except for the hair grasses, these grasses do not require quite as much water as typical turf grasses.
Drawbacks
There are few drawbacks to getting a no-mow lawn. These grasses are often taller than the 1 1/2- to 2-inch tall turfs typical throughout the United States. Their long, swaying leaves can become home to several forms of wildlife. These grasses can create a rotted back when planted too near trees because of their height and ability to hold moisture across the back, so keep them at least 2 feet away from trees.