In Minnesota, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue and some of the perennial ryegrass seed mixtures are recommended for home lawns. Before a seed mix is chosen, evaluate the location:

• Is there shade?
• Will it receive heavy use or play?
• Is the lawn a showcase, green throughout the season (high maintenance)?
• Is a healthy turf with a minimum of fuss (low maintenance) desired?

For shady locations, look for seed mixtures specifying shade tolerance. These will contain fine fescues along with some common and shade-tolerant Kentucky bluegrasses.

For areas that receive a lot of wear and in a sunny location, use mixtures that contain 50 - 75% improved Kentucky bluegrasses and 25-50% perennial ryegrasses.

For low maintenance turf, select mixtures that contain Kentucky bluegrasses and fine fescues. Specific varieties change frequently and may not always be available. However, within a particular species of grass (that is, fine fescue or improved Kentucky bluegrass), most varieties will provide a suitable lawn.

Applying too much seed weakens a lawn. Perennial ryegrass germinates and grows rapidly, providing early protection against soil erosion. However, depending on a particular variety's hardiness, it may or may not remain a permanent grass type in the lawn.

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