Let’s look at the types of grass that grow best in Denver and what qualities you should look for when purchasing grass for your yard.

What Qualities Should You Look For?

Denver weather can be unpredictable, and your grass will need to be hearty enough to handle it. For your grass to thrive in Denver, it will need to:

• Withstand a variety of weather conditions
• Handle excessive heat
• Survive without a lot of water
• Tolerate deep snow over extended periods 

You can also choose grass that prefers the sun or shade. Grasses that prefer shade will thrive, especially in north-facing yards, while sun-loving grass types will do best in southern-facing spots.

Types of Grass that Grow Best in Denver

Buffalograss

Buffalograss is a warm-weather grass that can grow in portions of the city that are lower than 6,500 feet in elevation. Each blade grows 10 to 12 inches in length and drapes over, creating a thick, green carpet.  Because it doesn’t tolerate high elevations, buffalograss is a less common choice for homeowners in Denver, and it grows best in an area with low foot traffic. Additionally, this high-maintenance grass will need to be cared for year-round, but it’s hearty enough to resist moderate heat and droughts. Plant buffalograss in alkaline and loamy soil, and make sure it’s well-drained so the grass remains healthy and pest-free.

Fine Fescue

Fine fescue grows in a dense turf and it’s a low-maintenance favorite among Denver homeowners. This grass prefers shady spots, like yards with tall trees or buildings. If you plant fine fescue in a partially shaded yard, blend it with Kentucky bluegrass to get a lovely, even look. Luckily, fine fescue grows without a lot of care, and it can withstand all kinds of soil conditions, including sandy and rocky loams. Since it grows lush and thick, make sure you use a lawn mower with a sharp blade to cut a yard that’s full of fine fescue.

Kentucky Bluegrass

You can’t go wrong with growing Kentucky bluegrass in the Mile High City since it can handle all sorts of weather conditions. This grass is soft and grows quickly, filling in bare spots so your lawn is thick and bluish-green. Kentucky bluegrass loves the sun, but some varieties can tolerate full shade without a problem. The only drawback to Kentucky bluegrass is that it’s prone to forming large amounts of thatch that will need to be maintained. You can amend this by regularly aerating and dethatching your lawn. Kentucky bluegrass tends to be a cool season grass, so it prefers temperatures between 55 and 85. During our peak heat seasons, you can expect to need more water for your yard with Kentucky bluegrass. 

Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass is the perfect solution for yards that see a lot of foot traffic. Because of this, it’s a popular choice for golf courses and parks. The blades are narrow and dark green, and they’re incredibly durable year-round. It’s a low-maintenance grass variety that tolerates the cold without a problem. Perennial ryegrass is often included in grass seed blends, and it pairs well with Kentucky bluegrass. Although it can be more susceptible to pests and disease, as long as you keep a close eye on your grass, it should remain healthy and strong. Rye should be aerate at least once per year in the spring or fall. Dethatching is not required as often, but should be completed in the early spring, every 8 – 10 years. 

Tall Fescue

This dense grass has an impressive root structure that grows four feet beneath the soil. It’s hardy and adaptable, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance yards and places with lots of foot traffic. Tall fescue can handle cold weather, heat, droughts and shade, and it doesn’t need much water. As long as the soil is well-drained, tall fescue doesn’t require a specific soil type in order to thrive. It also grows slowly, and tall fescue won’t invade your garden or flower beds. Colorado State University has pioneered a new variety of fescue called Turf-type tall fescue. 

When selecting the right grass for your lawn, it’s important to consider Denver’s unique climate and altitude. If you’d like to learn more about what type of grass grows best in Denver, contact us today. Our experts at American Arbor Care will help you to choose the right grass type for your yard’s needs.

1. How Are Their Reviews?

As with any service provider, online reviews will tell the full story. A reputable company with plenty of gold stars beside its name has earned those reviews, and will be more likely to do a stand-up job. Read through the customer reviews to see how satisfied they were with the business’s response time, efficiency, and the quality of their work. 

2. Are They Insured?

It’s very important to hire an arborist that is insured. This protects both you, the homeowner, and the company itself when trees are being pruned or removed. Check to make sure your arborist has liability insurance that will cover any damage that occurs to your property when they’re working. Your arborist should also carry worker’s compensation insurance that will take care of any employees who are injured on the job. This insurance will also protect you from being sued. We also encourage homeowners to ensure they are aware of any liability waivers and their rights/as well as neighbor’s rights when it comes to plant material crossing/encroaching a property line.

3. Are They Licensed?

In order to obtain a Tree Service License in Denver, an arborist must pass a written test and a field test that prove that he or she can perform quality arbor care that is safe and efficient. Before hiring an arborist, make sure the company has the appropriate license for tree removal in your city. It’s completely acceptable to ask for a copy of their license.

4. Do They Have the Proper Credentials?

There are several different opportunities for training and certification available for arborists to pursue, so it’s a good idea to ask about them. Some of these include:

• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist
• Board Certified Master Arborist
• Qualified Supervisor License with the Colorado Department of Agriculture

Most impressively, the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) provides membership to arborists who can pass extensive testing that covers all kinds of information on tree care and maintenance. If your arborist is a member of the ISA, you can rest assured that they’re experienced and educated on all things tree-related.

5. Can They Provide Referrals?

When shopping around for an arborist, ask them if they can provide a list of referrals? A company with a good reputation should be able to readily give you the contact information for a few happy customers. These references can give you more information about what kind of work to expect from the arborist along with their satisfaction level.

6. Can They Give You a Free Estimate? 

A qualified arborist will be happy to provide free estimates for the services you’d like them to complete. In fact, they should be able to deliver a detailed estimate in writing, so you can be crystal clear about what to expect. This will ensure that you don’t have surprises that pop up as they complete their work. Keep in mind that estimates are different from consultations or landscape plans, which can have fees associated. Be sure to clarify with your arborist what is included in the free estimate. 

7. Do They Have the Right Equipment? 

Ask the arborist about the equipment they have to perform the job. It’s important to know if they have heavy equipment like cranes to perform big jobs on large trees. A variety of available equipment will make it less likely that the company will cause damage to your property while they’re getting the job done. 

8. What Type of Training Have Employees Participated in? 

Denver only requires that one arborist at a tree service company has a Tree Service License. Because of this, it’s important to ask about the employees, and whether they’ve been properly trained to do quality work. Ask about their experience level and any certifications that the employees have obtained along with whether the company has a drug-free policy.

If you’d like more information about quality arbor care, contact us today. Our arborists at American Arbor Care are certified and passionate about tree care and we’ll get the job done safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.