Most of Colorado would be considered a cool-season grass growing environment but there are also some transitional zones of Colorado where warm-season varieties may thrive. (click on one of the grasses for planting details)
Cool-Season Grass
Warm-Season Grass
Kentucky bluegrass is the most notable turf grass seen in Colorado lawns. Many regions of Colorado provide the perfect climate that makes Kentucky bluegrass shine. However, one problem with Kentucky bluegrass is it’s susceptibility to the leaf spot disease. The best way to deal with this issue is to plant 3 or more different bluegrass cultivars or blend it with perennial rye grass or fine fescue.
If you are located in an area where the salinity of your soil prohibits Kentucky bluegrass from growing well, you are better off planting perennial rye grass, fine fescue, or tall fescue. Best time to plant these cool-season varieties will be between August 30th and October 10th.
Keep in mind that lawns seeded within a week of Labor Day are more likely to fill in completely for winter and produce a thicker, denser turf appearance for the following spring compared to lawns seeded in October. You want to seed in the late summer because the warmer temperatures accompanied with adequate water will promote good grass seed germination.
Your warm-season grasses like buffalograss and bermuda grass are best planted in late spring through mid summer. Warm-season grasses will not be suitable for all regions of Colorado and will most likely do best in the transitional warmer zones in the south. When warm-season grasses go dormant and turn brown in the fall, over-seed them with perennial rye grass or poa trivialis to maintain a continuous green lawn.
Visit the Planting Grass Seed page for detailed instructions on how to correctly prepare your soil and plant grass seed for your lawn.
