If it is in the dead of winter and you are looking out across lawns or fields and see both green and tan grass, most likely it is showing two different categories of grasses.
Cool Season Grasses have the ability to stay green far into the winter. In mild winters, they may be green until spring. Why is this?
It is the genetic make-up of the plant. Even during the winter the roots may still be taking on nutrients. While the green tops may not be growing, there is still a lot going on inside the plant.
On the other hand, Warm Season Grasses will go dormant in the fall and turn brown. Very little is happening inside the plant. No amount of fertilizer will make dormant grass turn green in winter. The exception is St. Augustine Grass and others that grow so far south they never go dormant.
Where both Cool Season Grass and Warm Season Grasses are grown together you will see some green grass and some tan grass. On high quality sports fields and golf courses where two or more different species are grown, you can clearly see the different types.
The picture on the left shows where the greens are a cool season grass and the rough is a warm season grass. This makes the greens more playable and the sharp distinction leaves no question about where to place the ball.
Many southern home lawns will overseed warm season bermudagrass with cool season ryegrass so the lawn has some green color in winter.
For more information about grass types, please Click Here.
