But growing new grass in Maryland can be challenging. Maryland is located in a transition zone, which means that the state has a mix of warm and cold temperatures.

The temperature variation means that cool-season grasses can dry out in the summer and warm-season grasses can freeze in the winter. Finding the right balance is key, and you can only do that by choosing the right grass seed! 

Tall fescue is quite resistant to disease and has lower maintenance requirements than other grasses used for Maryland lawns. Tall fescue also maintains its green color the most during hot summers, making it a great choice for residents of southern Maryland. Tall fescue establishes fairly quickly (10-15 days) and has excellent heat, drought, and foot traffic tolerance, making it the right grass for lawns and athletic fields! 

While the turf-type tall fescue can be quick to establish, Kentucky bluegrass germinates much slower (up to 30 days or more). But the wait can be worth it! It’s well-known as a resilient grass seed. Kentucky bluegrass has a beautiful emerald green color.

While stunning in appearance, keep in mind, it does require more maintenance than other grasses and is susceptible to pests and disease.

Perennial ryegrass is similar to Kentucky bluegrass but is much quicker to germinate (7-10 days). It has excellent drought and heat resistance and will thrive in the full sun. While it can tolerate some shade, perennial ryegrass should be planted in the sunniest parts of your lawn.

You can’t miss fine fescue grass—with its narrow, needle-like leaf blade, it has an unmistakable appearance. Fine fescue is different from tall fescues because of its distinct shape and spring-green color. It also has some resilient characteristics that make it an excellent choice for Maryland lawns.

Fine fescues can withstand extremely high soil pH as well as fluctuations in temperature. The fine and hard fescue are challenging to mow, however, but worth the effort due to their resistance to the elements.