A little lawn sense
What kind of grass is in my lawn?
Location gives you a shortlist, not a definite identification. Look closely at leaves and how the grass spreads before choosing a treatment.
Start with climate
Northern lawns commonly contain Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. Southern lawns commonly use Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine or centipede. Transition lawns can contain either group.
Look at growth
Inspect leaf width, tips and spreading stems. A close photo of a plant pulled with roots and stems helps your county Extension office identify it better than a distant lawn photo.
Expect mixtures
A lawn can contain several grasses. Choose a plan for the dominant desired grass, and check every herbicide label against all grasses you want to keep.
Questions from the yard
Does my ZIP tell me exactly which grass I have?
No. Grass choice, renovations, shade and local climate all matter.
Is a USDA zone a lawn zone?
No. USDA zones measure average extreme winter cold; turf regions also account for seasonal growth and heat.
Sources & further reading
- University of Georgia Extension: detail.html
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: how-to-use-the-maps
- Penn State Extension: turfgrass-species-for-pennsylvania
Reviewed October 2026. General US home-lawn guidance; local recommendations may differ.