The Best Fall & Winter Lawn Alternatives

Fall ushers in a welcome break from the brutal summer heat, but for homeowners in need of a lawn reboot, cooler temperatures can make choosing the right lawn covering a little complicated. Thankfully, the experts at Hancock Seed Company are here to help. Let’s take a look at a few popular fall and winter grasses along with some low-maintenance lawn alternatives that are excellent choices for yards in cooler weather.

Types of Grass That Can Be Planted in Fall & Winter

While proper preparation and maintenance are key to the long-term success of any lawn covering, there are a handful of grasses that should do just fine if you plant them in cooler months, including:

Kentucky Bluegrass 

• True to its name, the beautiful blue-green hue of Kentucky bluegrass is an aesthetically pleasing choice for homeowners in regions that don’t experience particularly hot or humid summers. (Untrue to its name, though, it’s not native to Kentucky!) It’s best to plant Kentucky bluegrass in the fall months, although it can still grow if planted during the winter. Kentucky bluegrass tolerates acidic or poor-draining soils well and is ideal for shaded areas.

Tall Fescue  

• Tall fescue is a hardy grass that does well when planted in the fall or winter months. It offers great resistance to drought and disease and can thrive in a variety of climates. It’s also relatively low maintenance and can be successfully planted in sunny or shaded areas.

Ryegrass  

• Ryegrass thrives in all sorts of climates, from warm to frigid, and some varieties even do well in extreme temperatures. Do a little research before selecting cool-season ryegrass for your lawn, though—it comes in annual and perennial varieties, so you’ll need to reseed every year if you choose annual.

Low-Maintenance Cool Season Lawn Alternatives 

Maybe a plain lawn full of traditional grass isn’t your thing. If you’re looking for ground covers that are more sustainable and require less maintenance than grass, there are several great options out there, and many can be planted during cooler months:

Ornamental Grass

• Ornamental grasses such as muhly grass can add color and visual interest to your landscaping. While they cannot be walked on, they’re a great option for large display areas and require very little maintenance. 

Clover & Micro Clover

• Clover, micro clover, and clover seed mixes make excellent turf and require minimal fertilization and upkeep. Plus, they can stay green all year long in warmer climates. White Dutch clover is also an excellent cover crop.

Wildflower Mixtures 

• Wildflower seed mixtures like Hancock Seed’s alternative lawn wildflower seed mix make for lush, colorful ground covers and flowering lawns. 

Your Lawn Experts

Hancock Seed Company offers a full range of cool season grasses and lawn alternatives for homeowners in a variety of climates. Browse our diverse online selection of premium-quality products to find the perfect solution for your property. If you have any questions, give our friendly professionals a call today at (800) 552-1027.