How does one identify grass type on lawn ?

Merlin_3

Hi,

you would think it simply a case of going on a grass type website and looking at pics of the different grasses, but all those found under grass type UK in google have no photos, blade width etc of the different types ! How do I identify the grass I have to buy more seed to match it and sort out a few patches and lost edges etc ? The only suggestion Johnsons had was to buy a packet, grow it, then another packet, grow it etc until I find the one I have. I am not an ardent gardener and with this sort of base level issue I never will be.

Merlin

Ceres

Grass seed is sold according to use....that is, bowling green, family garden, shady area, sports field etc. etc. If you have the usual bog standard lawn then you just need to buy one of the lawn patch kits. The grass will not match the rest of your lawn to start with and will be bright green but over the months it settles down and blends in nicely.

Dovefromabove

I find that after reseeding the patches, sprinkling seed thinly over the rest of the lawn helps to blend in any colour difference. 

Mike Allen

Merlin_3 said:

Hi,

you would think it simply a case of going on a grass type website and looking at pics of the different grasses, but all those found under grass type UK in google have no photos, blade width etc of the different types ! How do I identify the grass I have to buy more seed to match it and sort out a few patches and lost edges etc ? The only suggestion Johnsons had was to buy a packet, grow it, then another packet, grow it etc until I find the one I have. I am not an ardent gardener and with this sort of base level issue I never will be.

Merlin

Johnsons are probably hoping you will buy their packets.  As mentioned by Ceres, most pre-packed grass seed is basically selected depending on the type of lawn you want.  Many grasses used for specialist lawns can usually only be recognised by the seed heads.  Basically for good coverage, a mixture of three or more varieties will be used.

Fairygirl

Yes - just do as Dove suggests. Pick something that suits the type of lawn you have, as Ceres says, and apply.
It's easy to get too analytical about grass, but for most people, as long as it's green and does the job well enough, it's all we really need.   

Merlin_3

Hi, I hate seeing different patches of green so was trying to be sure it matched from the outset. Sprinkling seed over the rest of the lawn to make that blend with the 5% reseeded will be more packets and more work over a 70ft x 12ft  lawn. I will buy some garden lawn grass idf the packets are labelled a such and hope Ceres is right.

Dovefromabove

You really don’t need much seed to scatter some around to blend in ... and more work .... really? Sprinkling it around by hand and waiting  for the rain to fall?  It’s what I did/do ... and if a woman who’s nearer 70 than 60 with dysfunctional knees can do it I’ve a feeling you can too. It’s not complicated ..  you’re overthinking it 😊 

Helix

If you let one small patch grow and flower then much easier to identify....won’t take long.  Most likely to be a meadow grass, bent or fescue and the flowers of these are different.