David M. Kopec, Extension Turfgrass Specialist
Extension has been receiving many phone calls regarding the potential use of "Canada Green" turfgrass seed, which has been advertised in popular magazines. The lawn seed is sold by Tristar Products of St. Lauderdale, Pennsylvania. The seed is advertised for $14.95 and covers 1000 square feet. The seed has been analyzed and reported by a Midwest University as having the composition of the following seed mixture.
41.3% creeping red fescue (variety not stated)
30.0% Kentucky bluegrass (variety not stated)
25.0% annual ryegrass
2.7% inert matter
0.5% other crop seed
0.5% weed seed
This mixture has not been tested at the University of Arizona. This mixture would not be a permanent grass at the elevations of 4000 feet and below and would not provide a year round green turf in Phoenix or Tucson.
As an overseed, the annual ryegrass is not satisfactory when included in a mixture with the KBG and creeping red fescue. The KBG would be very slow to establish and creeping red fescue is slower to establish than perennial ryegrass (of which the mixture has none). Creeping red fescue is best adapted to heavy shade.
Ryegrass seed for overseeding would cost a homeowner about $1.00 per
lb., or $10-$12 for a comparable 1000 square foot lawn.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.