Turf talk: Choose the right grass for every project

By Dani Sheehan.

Help your customers grow a lawn they’ll love – and one that works for their lifestyle.

Whether it’s a backyard that doubles as a play zone for kids, a pristine pergola space for outdoor parties or a low-maintenance lawn that stays green year-round, each project has its own set of needs. This means your turf selection isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about balancing beauty, performance and practicality for your customers. We consulted the experts at Heritage Landscape Supply Group to help you determine the right turfgrass solution for every project to bring your clients’ visions to life.

Understand the customer’s vision

Every project starts with a conversation. Before diving into turf options, ask your client how they plan to use their outdoor space. Are they envisioning a backyard oasis with rich, green grass? Or do they need something resilient for pets and kids to play on?

These conversations help clarify priorities:

• Is appearance or performance more important?
• Will the lawn see heavy foot traffic?
• Are they willing to invest in regular maintenance?
• How important is water efficiency or drought tolerance?

The more you know upfront, the better you can guide them toward a solution that not only looks good on day one – but stays looking good for seasons to come.

Let climate guide you

Turfgrass isn’t one-size-fits-all. A stunning lawn in Texas may flop in New York. Your local climate, growing zone and soil composition should always steer your selection process.

There are two main categories to consider:

• Cool-season grasses (like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue) thrive in northern climates and transition zones. They green up early in spring and stay vibrant into the fall.
• Warm-season grasses (like bermudagrass, Zoysia, centipede and St. Augustine) flourish in southern and coastal regions. They handle heat and humidity well and require less water once established.

Pro tip: If you’re in a transition zone, blends or hybrid options might be your best bet – offering both year-round color and seasonal resilience!

The maintenance equation

Even the most beautiful turf won’t deliver long-term satisfaction if it doesn’t match your customer’s lifestyle. That’s why understanding maintenance expectations is crucial.

Ask customers how much time and effort they’re willing to invest in their lawn. If they want a low-maintenance solution, steer them toward options like tall fescue or Zoysia, which are more drought-tolerant and require less frequent mowing.

On the flip side, if a picture-perfect lawn is the goal – and the client is open to fertilization schedules, irrigation systems and seasonal care – grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or bermudagrass may be worth the extra upkeep.

Make maintenance part of the design conversation early. That transparency builds trust and helps you set realistic expectations for long-term lawn success.

Renovation, sod, seed – or synthetic?

Not every project starts with a blank slate. For renovation jobs, you’ll need to decide between reseeding, laying sod or exploring synthetic turf.

• Seeding is cost-effective and allows for custom blends, but it takes time to establish and requires patient clients.
• Sod offers an instant-impact lawn and is ideal for quick turnarounds or high-visibility properties.
• Synthetic turf is a smart option in drought-prone areas or for specialized installations like putting greens, dog runs or heavily shaded areas where natural grass struggles.

Synthetic doesn’t mean sacrificing looks either – today's products are more realistic-looking than ever and come in a variety of pile heights, colors and textures.

Build you turf toolkit

It’s helpful to have a short list of turf go-to's for different situations. Consider building a reference library with:

• Samples of popular turfgrasses
• Photos of past installations
• Maintenance cheat sheets
• Regional soil and weather maps
• A decision tree guide for client conversations

When you need inspiration or guidance, turn to Heritage Landscape Supply Group for their turf seed and artificial turf options.