![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/solar-panels-working-14.jpg\")
Spring in St. Louis can be gorgeous, especially once that signature Midwest frost begins to thaw. But don’t stand around too long admiring the scenery. There are some things you need to do to get your own yard in shape. If you follow these six tips to boost your lawn care routine in the spring, you’ll […]
\n","content":"\nSpring in St. Louis can be gorgeous, especially once that signature Midwest frost begins to thaw. But don’t stand around too long admiring the scenery. There are some things you need to do to get your own yard in shape. If you follow these six tips to boost your lawn care routine in the spring, you’ll get the most out of your grass all year long.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: KathrynHatashitaLee / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nCaring for your lawn always requires a proper lawn mower. But your mower also needs care, especially after sitting in your garage for the winter. By performing this maintenance early in the Spring, you can avoid having to do it during the summer when the necessary yard work begins to pile up.
\n\n\n\nHere are the things you need to do to get this essential piece of lawn care equipment ready for use.
\n\n\n\nSharpening your lawn mower’s blades is one oft-forgotten bit of maintenance. Trying to cut your grass with a dull blade is similar to shaving with a dull razor. You may end up tearing or ‘bruising’ the grass rather than shearing it neatly, which will hinder growth. And if your mower has a motor, it’ll have to work harder to get through your grass with a dull blade, which will wear it out faster.
\n\n\n\nHere is how to sharpen your lawn mower’s blades:
\n\n\n\nAs a quick note, you can use a hand grinder to sharpen a lawn mower blade. However, these blades are made with soft metal, and the friction from a grinder could heat the metal enough to damage it if you’re not careful.
\n\n\n\nIf you have experience using a grinder, you can follow the same procedure as you would with a file. Should the blade begin to heat up, stop for a minute and let it cool down, or run some water over it.
\n\n\n\nJust like your car, your lawn mower needs oil to reduce friction within the engine’s parts. The heat from the engine eventually causes the oil to break down, which is made worse if that oil sits in your mower over the winter.
\n\n\n\nYour lawn mower’s engine oil should be changed every 50 hours of mowing or once every spring and summer, whichever comes first. Use a dipstick and only fill the oil to the designated mark.
\n\n\n\nUse high-quality engine oil in your lawn mower. 10W30 is the most common grade of motor oil, and it should be as suitable for most mowers as it is for cars and trucks.
\n\n\n\nHowever, check the owner’s manual to find out if your lawn mower has a four-stroke engine or a two-stroke engine. A two-stroke engine requires a mixture of gasoline and oil to function, usually ranging from 30:1 to 50:1 for the ratio of gas to oil. Two-stroke engines aren’t as common thanks to emissions regulations, but they are still around.
\n\n\n\n![\"Brown](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Rake-Debris.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David Goehring / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nDead leaves, twigs, and branches can accumulate on your lawn over the fall and winter, especially if there are trees on or near your property. When it snows, this detritus will form a tightly packed carpet over your lawn that prevents your grass from getting enough sun.
\n\n\n\nYou should remove as many twigs and branches as you can in the spring so they don’t interfere with mowing or seeding. As for the fallen leaves, the traditional approach is to rake them, bag them, and have them taken to your local landfill. But, there is a better solution.
\n\n\n\nFallen leaves make fantastic organic compost. Simply shred the leaves into smaller bits with your lawn mower for easier absorption as they decompose. You can even add grass clippings and spread the mix around your flower bed as mulch.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pxfuel.com-7-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nMany homeowners don’t realize that the soil in their lawn is just as alive as the plants that grow from it. It can change due to pollution, but the seasons also affect soil composition.
\n\n\n\nMissouri is home to over 500 types of soil, though menfro is the state soil. This clay-rich forest soil is well-drained and densely packed with decaying plant matter, making it very fertile. However, St. Louis’ location along the Central Missouri valley means that soil erosion sometimes makes for weak topsoil.
\n\n\n\nThough menfro soil is well known, you should still have your soil tested to determine whether you need to supplement it with more nitrogen, calcium, lime, or other minerals.
\n\n\n\nTypically, you would fertilize in the fall to provide your lawn with enough nutrients to get through the winter, especially if you have warm-season grass. However, you can help boost new growth with a light layer of fertilizer once during the spring.
\n\n\n\nIf you choose to add fertilizer in the spring, use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Faster fertilizers may encourage faster growth, but that isn’t always the best thing for young growth. You could even end up burning and damaging your grass.
\n\n\n\nTo fertilize your lawn, apply a thin, even layer using a spreader. Hand-spreading the fertilizer may result in an inconsistent coating and missed spots. You also run the risk of adding too much fertilizer, and too much of a good thing is never good.
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mow-More-Cut-Less.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere
\n\n\n\nGrowing your grass is like growing hair, and a timely trim of both can help maintain a desirable appearance. But don’t wait until the summer to start up the lawnmower. Keeping your lawn well-groomed early on can go a long way toward preventing weeds from popping up.
\n\n\n\nThere are a few rules of thumb when it comes to mowing your lawn:
\n\n\n\nPlants need water to survive, and your lawn is no different. However, you shouldn’t irrigate your lawn until after the grass begins growing. The soil will still have leftover moisture from the temperature change and any snow or ice that may have thawed.
\n\n\n\nWhen watering your lawn, you should only water until the top six to eight inches of topsoil is wet. That’s the layer where most turfgrasses establish their roots.
\n\n\n\nDo not overwater your lawn. It may be tempting to simply dump a large amount of water on your soil and leave it for the week, but you could easily drown new grass. Too much water can also leave your lawn vulnerable to fungi and disease due to shallow root growth.
\n\n\n\nThe best practice is to water your lawn three times a week in the spring. Check your local weather to avoid watering on a day when it’ll rain.
\n\n\n\nOn the opposite end, don’t underwater your lawn, either. Lack of water will dry out the soil, which can already be a common problem with menfro soil.
\n\n\n\nYou can test the moisture level of your soil with a screwdriver. Insert the head of the tool into your lawn. If you can push it in easily, the soil is moist. If you need to apply pressure or hear a ‘crackling’ sound as the dirt breaks, you need to add more water to your lawn.
\n\n\n\nFrontloading your yard work while your grass is still growing will pay off when you can spend more time simply enjoying the lawn when the St. Louis weather turns warm. But, the key word is work. You’ll have to put in the time and effort to cultivate a beautiful lawn.
\n\n\n\nAlternatively, you could put your lawn in the hands of a local lawn care professional, who will know exactly what needs to be done to clear your spring landscaping checklist.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Neighborhood, St. Louis / Unsplash
\n","title":"6 Spring Lawn Care Tips For St. Louis","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1789c/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/107df/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/293e9/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/f2cbb/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1789c/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/c26c2/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1dd6e/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/67b76/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 320w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/8df11/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 500w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/98a65/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 800w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1dd6e/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 960w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/3cc96/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"6 Spring Lawn Care Tips For St. Louis | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Spring is a critical time for your grass. It needs some TLC, and doing it correctly will give your lawn the foundation it needs to thrive all year long"}}},{"node":{"id":"54cd9305-bdd8-5387-85d7-ad484f5ab84c","slug":"best-native-plants-st-louis","path":"/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/best-native-plants-st-louis/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nick Crawford is a blog writer based in Philadelphia. He enjoys writing just as much as he enjoys reading a good book, cooking, and working out in his spare time.","name":"Nick Crawford","id":"5213edde-9943-5767-a5ae-163493ecfae5","path":"/author/nick-crawford/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ce3281d49bd9eb99cb1c4f0200247d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"},{"id":"3f02f7ac-cb76-5555-b9a8-490ee8121fe0","name":"St. Louis","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/"}],"date":"April 11th, 2023","excerpt":"St. Louis is home to some of the most vibrant plant life Mother Nature has to offer. You can create beautiful scenery around your home by embracing this and using native plants to add a unique pop to your St. Louis property. In this article: Why Should You Add Native Plants to Your Landscape? You […]
\n","content":"\nSt. Louis is home to some of the most vibrant plant life Mother Nature has to offer. You can create beautiful scenery around your home by embracing this and using native plants to add a unique pop to your St. Louis property.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nYou have a spectacular number of plant and flower choices when creating and curating your garden. Yet, the benefits of selecting native plants are undeniable. They have breathtaking beauty that can complement any home, even deep in the heart of the city.
\n\n\n\nNative plants have evolved with the wildlife, geology, and climate of the St. Louis area for thousands of years, so they are already well adapted to their surroundings. A large part of landscape care involves getting your plants used to the area in which you’ve planted them. With native plants, you don’t have to worry as much about adapting your garden to the local climate or soil composition.
\n\n\n\nBecause native plants don’t require the same amount of irrigation, pesticides, or fertilizer as non-native plants, they allow you to focus more on other aspects of your landscaping. And you can save money in the long run by cutting down on the number of gardening supplies you need.
\n\n\n\nIf you’ve decided to fill your garden with native plants, you may be wondering which plants to choose. Here are ten great selections to help get you started.
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20438010001_c9368f4673_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nPrairie dropseed is a perennial ornamental grass. Its finely textured leaves curve outward to form large tufts in a pattern reminiscent of some desert plants. They are pale green in the summer, and in fall they turn a golden-orange shade that fades to bronze in the winter.
\n\n\n\nThough prairie dropseed grow slowly, it requires little water once established. You can easily grow prairie dropseed in dry, sandy soil thanks to its high drought tolerance. It does enjoy large amounts of sun, however, so keep it as far in the open as possible.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Grass
\n\n\n\nSun needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, rocky, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2-3 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/51468466866_72df214b51_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Faravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nSometimes called ‘Rose Turtlehead’, the pink turtlehead is a tall Missouri wildflower with a neat and tight clumping habit. It gets its name from the rosy, two-lipped flowers that resemble an open-mouthed turtle’s head. It’s common name honors the early 19th century botanist John Lyons.
\n\n\n\nThis native perennial blooms between late summer and early fall. It best thrives in cooler climates with mild summers and moist soil. Aside from looking beautiful, the pink turtlehead’s bright color is also great for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.
\n\n\n\nPink turtlehead possesses a high shade tolerance. However, growing it in too much shade may result in drooping stems that require support from a sturdier species.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loamy, sandy, rich, moist
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1.5-6.5 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"Eastern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/eastern-redbud.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe eastern redbud is a very popular deciduous, multi-trunked tree that brightens any landscape with vibrant pink and purple blooms. These pea-shaped flowers blossom on the bare branches for two weeks in the early spring before the foliage develops.
\n\n\n\nYou can easily grow eastern redbud in well-drained moderately furtile soil. However, the pH balance of the soil doesn’t matter much as long as its not moist.
\n\n\n\nEastern redbud is the perfect tree for homeowners who want low maintenance plants in their landscape. Awarded a place among the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plants of Merit, it can grow as much as 30 feet tall with a large spread that will provide a gorgeous spot of shade on your property.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Dry
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Dry, moist
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20-35 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Showy-Goldenrod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dseiver / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe zigzag goldenrod is a perennial that is native to the woodlands of Missouri. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a wildflower that can survive in the shade.
\n\n\n\nZigzag goldenrod gets its name from its two distinct characteristics, which are its wavy stems and powdery yellow flowers. Its flowers tend to attract bees and butterflies with their vibrant color.
\n\n\n\nYou can typically grow zigzag goldenrod between July and September for a pop of color in your garden late in the summer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to full shade. (Prefers partial shade.)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Average, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1-3 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PumpkinSky / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nIf you want a highly adaptable plant that can tolerate a variety of adverse conditions, the purple coneflower is an excellent choice. This perennial can tolerate dry to medium well-drained soil as long as it gets plenty of sunlight.
\n\n\n\nTypically grown during the summer months, the purple coneflower is a popular spot for insects and hummingbirds. In addition, this pink-purple daisy-like species makes a lovely bocquet as a cut flower.
\n\n\n\nBecause it is native to many prairies and meadows heat, humidity, and even drought are no obstacles for the purple coneflower. It is, however, susceptible to aster yellows disease and leaf spot, so be on the lookout for these issues.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade. (Does best in full sun.)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Average, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2-5 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8634828149_21c0f182e9_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: NatureServe / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe spicebush does more than serve as a lovely and aromatic accent piece to any garden. This deciduous shrub also grows fragrant leaves that are essential to the ecosystem. Larval caterpillars feed on these leaves and eventually evolve into the swallowtail butterfly, one of the rarest butterfly species.
\n\n\n\nMale and female varieties of these plants both develop clusters of greenish-yellow flowers, with the male flowers being larger. However, the female spicebush can develop a small red fruit with the help of a male pollinator.
\n\n\n\nYou can grow the spicebush in full sun or shade. But a spicebush in the shade doesn’t grow flowers as vibrant as one grown in full sunlight.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, loamy, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6-12 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Weed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe butterfly milkweed is a tuberous perennial that gets its name from the attractive nectar it produces. Butterflies and their larvae are easily drawn to these clusters of bright orange-yellow flowers.
\n\n\n\nYou can expect the butterfly milkweed to bloom from early June through August, lending their lovely color to any St. Louis summer garden early to mid-summer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Can tolerate poor soil but must be well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1-2.5 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Northern-Blazing-Star.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Doug McGrady / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe blazing star is native to St. Louis and has a unique appearance. Its deep purple flower heads are shaped like stars and form a tight cluster around a long stem to mimic an upright bottle brush.
\n\n\n\nThese prairie flowers love full sun, so be sure to plant them in an area where they’ll receive as much exposure as possible. Other than the sunlight requirement, blazing star is a low-maintenance flower that helps any garden stand out.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Keep soil dry or moderately moist
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Average, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2-5 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"cluster](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pawpaw.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wendell Smith / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis native of Missouri is typically classified as a tree, though it more resembles a small shrub. The pawpaw has large, drooping leaves that retain their bright green color into the late fall before turning yellow.
\n\n\n\nThe most distinctive feature of the pawpaw is its purple flowers, which bloom in spring. They then become oblong yellow-green fruits that mature to a deep brown in the fall. These fruits have a consistency and flavor comparable to bananas, and they work well in ice creams and pies.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade; prefers full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Keep soil moderately moist to wet but well-drained
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Tolerates average soil; prefers fertile, acidic soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15-30 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cardinal_flower_Lobelia_cardinalis_027.jpg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe cardinal flower’s large, bright red petals add a dramatic pop to any landscape the native perennial finds itself adorning. Some of these petals stick straight up, giving the flower a spiky appearance that stands out well among most other flora.
\n\n\n\nYou get the best results in a slightly shady garden that attracts the attention of pollinators like hummingbirds. The cardinal flower loves moist soil, which makes it a great choice for a rain garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sand, loam, clay, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1-6 feet
\n\n\n\nIf you have an interest in filling your garden with some of the gorgeous native plants of St. Louis, here are some resources to help you learn more:
\n\n\n\nNative plants add a lot of convenience to gardening while allowing you to explore the beauty of nature. And the selection of native plants you can add to your garden is vast. If you would like assistance with choosing flora for your St. Louis property, talk to a local professional.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Butterfly Milkweed / Salicyna / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n","title":"10 Native Plants For Your St. Louis Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.343784994400896,"src":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1789c/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/107df/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 320w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/293e9/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 500w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/f2cbb/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 800w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1789c/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 960w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/c26c2/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1dd6e/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/67b76/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 320w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/8df11/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 500w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/98a65/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 800w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1dd6e/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 960w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/3cc96/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Native Plants For Your St. Louis Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Many plants that are native to St. Louis, but which ones are best for your garden? Start by choosing from these beautiful and hardy options."}}},{"node":{"id":"d254cd89-ceaf-5921-b056-368914320ddc","slug":"best-grass-types-st-louis","path":"/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/best-grass-types-st-louis/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nick Crawford is a blog writer based in Philadelphia. He enjoys writing just as much as he enjoys reading a good book, cooking, and working out in his spare time.","name":"Nick Crawford","id":"5213edde-9943-5767-a5ae-163493ecfae5","path":"/author/nick-crawford/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ce3281d49bd9eb99cb1c4f0200247d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"},{"id":"3f02f7ac-cb76-5555-b9a8-490ee8121fe0","name":"St. Louis","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/"}],"date":"April 4th, 2023","excerpt":"It may be the Gateway to the West, but St. Louis sits firmly in the transition zone that divides the Northern and Southern regions of the United States. This brings with it a variety of weather conditions ranging from humid summers to frigid winters, which makes finding an ideal grass type for your lawn more […]
\n","content":"\nIt may be the Gateway to the West, but St. Louis sits firmly in the transition zone that divides the Northern and Southern regions of the United States. This brings with it a variety of weather conditions ranging from humid summers to frigid winters, which makes finding an ideal grass type for your lawn more complicated.
\n\n\n\nUnderstanding the characteristics of different grasses is vital to growing a lawn that you can truly enjoy in St. Louis.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nThe most significant consideration when growing grass is whether you choose warm season or cool season grass. Each tolerates the temperature and atmospheric conditions of opposing seasons differently.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses actively grow from late spring to mid-autumn. Past the middle of fall, typically around late September to early October, these grasses go dormant and turn brown. Warm-season grasses need lots of sunlight and can’t tolerate shade very well.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses experience active growth early in the spring and tend to remain green until late fall. Without constant watering, they will go dormant during the summer. While these grasses can tolerate shade more readily, they require at least a half day of full sun.
\n\n\n\nThe biggest challenge to planting a lawn in St. Louis is that the city’s varied temperatures mean neither warm season nor cool season grasses hold an advantage in care and longevity. So what is the solution?
\n\n\n\nFortunately, there are grass types that are hardy enough to thrive in multiple seasons. You could also mix different grass seeds to cultivate a lawn that perfectly fits your needs.
\n\n\n\nTry these four grass types in your lawn for the best-looking results.
\n\n\n\n![\"bright](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/24264641643_967481f69f_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is a warm season grass adapted for use in the lower two-thirds of Missouri. Its stiff leaves spread into a dense carpet well suited for golf courses. However, it also makes a good choice for a home lawn.
\n\n\n\nThis grass has a very high heat tolerance but can withstand lower temperatures. However, keep in mind that it does go dormant in the wintertime. You can keep zoysiagrass looking good with minimal watering, but be mindful that it requires at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily to continue looking lush.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low to moderate.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1-2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3863142192_5ee6dd93d7_c-1-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is widely recognized as one of the best grasses for Missouri homeowners, and that includes the good folks of St. Louis. This cool-season grass grows and thrives in the shade quite well, and possesses excellent drought tolerance. In addition, tall fescue can remain green for three quarters of the year, only going dormant during the summer.
\n\n\n\nThe main drawback of tall fescue is its rate of growth. As evident by its name, tall fescue can sprout up to four feet in height if left alone. Therefore, you must mow this grass often to maintain its recommended height of two feet.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunches, occasionally rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2-3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is an excellent choice if you’re looking for general-purpose turf grass that provides a dense, lush coverage for your lawn. This cool-season grass gets its name from its blue-green leaves, which have a medium texture.
\n\n\n\nBluegrass is a rhizomatous plant that spreads quickly, so you can use it to help fill bare patches in your lawn. Even though it becomes dormant during the summer and other dry times, bluegrass is very drought tolerant.
\n\n\n\nMixing Kentucky bluegrass with other grass types, such as perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, gives it a better chance of remaining green year-round. In addition, by combining it with other grasses, you can do a lot to improve its disease resistance.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1.5-3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Buffalograss.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss is the only grass species that is native to North America, which makes it especially suited to our varied climates. It is particularly adapted to thrive in dry prairie lands, so it has excellent drought tolerance and heat resistance, even among other warm-season grass types.
\n\n\n\nThe main draw of buffalograss is that it makes for a low-maintenance lawn. It requires less water than many kinds of grass and is highly disease resistant. And it also has a higher tolerance for cold temperatures than many warm-season grasses, though the exact degree of cold tolerance can vary.
\n\n\n\nWhile buffalograss grows, it spreads in an “open growth habit”. Doing so leaves room for weeds to come in, so you must be vigilant about your weed control if that is an issue you want to avoid.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low – doesn’t need frequent mowing
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2-4 inches or leave unmowed
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\nYour best bet is to plant in early to mid-September. The warm soil and mild temperature during the day benefits germination, while the cooler nights are good for cool season grasses.
Tall fescue has some of the best shade tolerance of any grass you could grow in St. Louis. As a result, it requires much less sun than other species, though it should get at least eight hours of sunlight to continue looking its best.
Most grasses go dormant in the Winter because of the extreme cold. However, there is a special winterizer lawn fertilizer that is packed with nitrogen to help build up carbohydrate levels in your grass. This fertilizer gives your lawn what it needs to survive the Winter and return more robust in the Spring.
St. Louis has a wide variety of climates, making it challenging to select a particular type of grass to plant. However, if you choose hardy grass and diligently maintain it, you can have a healthy lawn all year round. And if you would like help keeping your landscape looking its best, you should turn to a local lawn care professional.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Lawn of a Building, St. Louis / Picryl
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