The Ideal Grass for California

When we think about our landscaping, our thoughts often drift immediately to our more labor-intensive features. Bushes, flower beds, and manicured trees all take a lot of time and energy to get to look just right. But one thing that we often overlook is the grass in our yard. The fact is, our grass plays a large role in making our landscaping feel cohesive. 

When properly planted and cared for, your lawn can be one of the most striking features of your home. But what you may not realize is that, just like there are different kinds of trees, there are different kinds of grasses. Some grasses are better suited to climates than others. Here in California, we get plenty of sunshine and warm breezes, but water can be hard to come by sometimes. That’s why it’s important to update your landscaping with grass that’s well-suited for the Bakersfield climate. One such grass variety is Marathon grass.

Marathon Grass is Perfect for California Homes

One of the best ways to update your landscaping is to utilize native plants and vegetation, or plants that are suited to the local climate. Here in Southern California, we see a variety of environmental conditions, including rich coastal regions and harsh desert areas. Marathon grass was developed specifically for Southern California and was carefully cultivated from a blend of two tall fescues, Baja grass, and Hubbard 87 grass. The creators of Marathon grass realized that they needed a grass that could survive and thrive in these conditions year-round. 

Marathon grass is an immensely popular choice, and for good reason. It’s aesthetically pleasing, has a nice texture, and is a lasting type of grass that is resistant to many diseases. Indeed, it’s so popular that there are now three kinds of Marathon grass. 

The Original Marathon Grass

When you need a grass that’s great for all kinds of use and maintains a lush green color all year long, then you’d be hard-pressed to find a better choice than the original Marathon. This is a strong grass that quickly repairs itself after regular use. This makes it well-suited for landscaping at homes with children or pets. Original Marathon is also a great option for shadier yards, so if you’re building a secluded oasis in your backyard with lots of trees, you don’t have to worry about the grass dying under them. You can keep the original marathon at a taller height, around 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

Marathon II Grass

Marathon II grass is likely the most popular grass choice for homeowners in Southern California. It’s renowned for its good looks, ease of care, and soft texture. If you frequently host backyard parties or have little ones who like to run barefoot through the yard, Marathon II is the right choice for you. This grass type maintains a vibrant, medium green color throughout the year and it’s changing weather conditions. Many often compare yards with Marathon II as looking like a green carpet. That’s because this grass has dense, shorter blades that are rooted closely to each other. However, Marathon II does need more light than its original cousin, meaning it might not be a great fit for homes with lots of trees. 

Marathon III Grass

For a truly unrivaled look and feel, Marathon III grass is your best bet. This grass has a fine, soft texture to it and has a verdant green color. This grass grows very slowly, meaning that it does not have to be mowed all that often. Of course, the downside is that it is not as resilient as other grass types. Marathon III grass is best suited for homes that uses their yards and landscaping for special occasions, or for areas that are using grass as an accent piece for their landscaping. Ultimately, Marathon III needs more attention than the other Marathon types, as it requires lots of sunlight for it to maintain its delicate texture and deep green appearance.

We’re Bakersfield’s Choice for Landscape Supplies

Looking to update your landscaping? Want to improve your irrigation? Just looking for some fertilizer and seed? We’ve got everything you need and more at Kern Turf Supply. In business since 1958, we’ve supplied Bakersfield and the rest of Southern California with all of the materials they need to brighten up their homes and yards. Visit us today to see our incredible selection of materials, or contact us to find out more about our services.