Turf Grass and Lawn Alternatives

When you think about a lush green lawn, what does that mean to you? For many people, it is a part of their home, a place for their pets, a place to gather with family and friends. It could bring to mind chores, a favorite city park, recreation, or leisure activities. Grass lawns originated in European countries and over time became a symbol of affluence and wealth. Owning land that you do not need to cultivate and harvest food from, but land you can simply spend leisure time and resources on. European colonizers began to replicate these lawns here in the US. Perfectly manicured lawns were a staple in the American Dream, and they are still a large part of our culture in the United States today. But when we get down to it, what is grass, and specifically what is turf grass?

Turf grass is defined as a collection of grass plants that form a ground cover. Lawns are unique in that they can withstand intense wear and tear, unlike many other plants, and still survive and thrive. There are over 10,000 species of grasses in the world, and only 12 of them are considered turf grass due to their density and uniform coverage. They are narrow-leaf plants that have fibrous root systems. The flowers of most grasses are not showy and rely on being pollinated by the wind rather than attracting pollinators. 

There are three types of growth habits for turf grass, which determine how they spread. Stoloniferous grasses spread horizontally and produce new shoots called stolons above ground. Though not a grass, one example of this is strawberries. Rhizomatous grasses are similar to Stoloniferous grasses, but rather than growing stolons above ground, they grow rhizome stems horizontally below the ground to produce more shoots. Examples of this include Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, and some fine fescues. Lastly, there are bunch-type grasses like tall fescue and perennial ryegrass that grow in bunches and expand by what’s called tillers. Tillers are shoots that develop alongside the parent shoot and grow upwards. Bunch-type grasses don’t have as uniform a coverage, but they have deeper root systems than other types of grasses, which help to strengthen soil health. 

Here in Montana, cool-season turf grass grows best. Spring and fall is prime times for growth, they can withstand our cold winters and will go dormant in the summer. One of the most popular turf grasses here in Montana is Kentucky Bluegrass: a cool-season, highly rhizomatous grass. This turf grass can withstand heavy traffic, drought, and heat when managed well. Other turf grasses that grow well in Montana include perennial ryegrass, fine fescues, creeping bentgrass, and turf-type tall fescue (say that 10x fast!). If you are looking to put in or maintain your turf grass, you want to make sure you find a grass that best suits your needs based on desirable traits, maintenance, nutrient needs, climate, and use type.

When thinking about the maintenance of turf grass, most cool-season turf grasses go dormant in the heat of summer unless you increase and maintain irrigation. Here in Gallatin County, we are currently at 68% of snow water equivalent. Discharge in the Gallatin River and its measured tributaries is below normal based on the Natural Resources and Conservation Services snow telemetry data. In some parts of Gallatin County, 65% of your household’s summer water usage bill goes towards your irrigation. 

On average, turf grass requires around 1-1.5 inches of water per week. In hotter, drier summers, and to prevent dormancy, it will require 2 inches of water weekly. Deep infrequent watering encourages deeper rooting and drought resilience in your turf grass. The ideal time to water your turf grass is in the morning, before the heat of the day, so your grass can dry out before dusk. 

The type of grass you have determines the kind and amount of fertilizer you should use. Turf grass is a lover of slow-release N and doesn’t use as much P or K. Depending on whether it is a low-maintenance or high-maintenance turf, you may need to fertilize one to three times a year. Do not fertilize your lawn unless you intend to supply plenty of water. Summer is not a good time to fertilize cool-season grasses, as they prefer to enter dormancy, and adding more nutrients to a dormant plant will stress it. Determine in the spring, based on your ability and the surrounding areas’ water availability, if you should irrigate your lawn throughout the summer or let it go dormant. Do not erratically water; it will weaken your grass and stress the plant out. 

Grass must be mowed. It is crucial that you maintain sharp mower blades to prevent shredding of your turf, and you mustn’t mow when it is hot. Three and a half inches in height is ideal for turf grasses. This longer length is better for rooting and the health of not only the grass but also the soils and roots. You do not want to cut more than a third of your grass at a time. This stresses and weakens the plant. If you do mow your lawn, your grass clippings do not need to be removed. Clippings left on your lawn can provide up to 25% of your lawn’s total fertilizer needs. 

Turf grasses have what’s called thatch: a layer of dead and living organic materials that develops between the soil and the green turf vegetation. If thatch becomes too thick (>.5 inches), it can limit water and nutrient flow and degrade the plant. Aeration can help prevent thatch accumulation. Aeration for healthy lawns should occur using an aerator every few years in the spring or fall. A good practice would be to aerate your lawn and then spread a quarter inch of compost over it. This allows for water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the turf grass, and to feed slow-release N and organic matter to your lawn. 

All that being said, turf grass can be a lot to maintain. Lawns are everywhere in urban and suburban landscapes. These large areas dedicated to being green space can be a great thing, but they also have the opportunity to create a lower-maintenance sustainable landscape that can provide aesthetic and functional value. Certain lawn care practices can be harmful to beneficial organisms like microorganisms in our soils and pollinators. If you see dandelions infiltrating your monocrop of turf, many people see a weed. A weed is a plant out of place. A dandelion is a “nuisance weed”, meaning to some, yes, it is a weed. Whereas to others, it is a pretty flower to look at or use. There are around 37 species of bees, including several rare and declining native bumblebees, that forage on lawn weeds. 

Lawn weeds, such as clover and dandelion, help to sustain urban bee populations. These patches act as stepping stones between remnants of natural habitat. As May comes and goes, the no-mow campaign was an effort to emphasize this. But not cutting your turf grass for a month in the height of its prime growing season will not turn your turf grass lawn into a wildflower field. It is good to leave some of these early food sources for pollinators. But lawns can grow significantly in a month. Cutting more than ⅓ of your turf will stress your turf and leave it patchy and more susceptible to weeds. Mowing less frequently can be good for your lawn and pollinators. 

Creating a “Bee Lawn” can serve a dual purpose for recreation and relaxation, as well as creating food for bees. Species like dutch clover, creeping thyme, self-heal, and common violet are great substitutes for turf. They add color and beauty to your lawn while providing needed food for our pollinators. You can also turn your lawn into prairie and meadow lawns. Large expanses of our land in Montana are dominated by grasses and some flowering perennial plants. Implementing these plants in your yard can create a low-maintenance plot requiring no watering, fertilizing, and minimal mowing. These types of lawns support a diverse range of wildlife, improve water infiltration, reduce soil nutrient loss, prevent erosion, and create a year-round visual interest. 

Turf grass is unique in its ability to withstand heavy impact, consistent cutting, and grow one crop across large areas of land. Lawns have been around for a long time and create a space to gather, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. Turf grass lawns do require lots of maintenance, including nutrients, labor, water, and money. Knowing that there are substitutes for turf grass, including many native Montana plants, can be a low-maintenance alternative to turf grass lawns. They can provide habitat and food for our wildlife and pollinators, while still giving you a space to relax and enjoy the outdoors right in your frontyard.

Written by Bea Mcnamara