Several grass species can be used for home lawns in New York State. Species and even varieties will differ in their appearance, their adaptation, and their ability to tolerate diseases and insects. Cornell University annually publishes a list of recommended turfgrass species and cultivars. Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension - Suffolk County when planning any new lawn seedings. The newer, improved cultivars are very attractive and survive extremes in temperature and drought.
Kentucky bluegrass is a true sod-forming grass because it spreads by underground stems.
Thus, it has the ability to fill in areas of the lawn that may be damaged by pests. Most new bluegrass cultivars have good to excellent resistance to leaf spot, one of the more common diseases on bluegrass lawns. Likewise, cultivars differ in there resistance to other diseases such as Summer Patch. Use a blend of at least three bluegrass varieties for home lawns to maximize the lawn's resistance to diseases. Improved ryegrass cultivars are very attractive, and are compatible in mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass.