How deep do grass roots go?

[vincent p. norris]

I have read that some grasses (perhaps not our typical lawn grasses) send roots down many feet into the earth.

Can anyone confirm or refute that or refer me to a source of info about it?

Thanks. vince norris

[simy1]

prairie grasses do, as do some of the common taprooted weeds, such as dandelion, burdock or dock. That is why a mixed lawn tends to be healthy, those tap roots bring up nutrients, create vertical drainage channels, and generally make deeper topsoil. prairie grasses is something you don't need in a lawn, they are extremely coarse, thick, and no fun to walk on.

[Stubby]

You want "Tall Fescue", not red fescue or other ordinary types. It has worked well for me. Reference

. Use the "Search this site" box in the upper right to search for "Tall Fescue".

Lofts "Rebel II" is 100% Tall Fescue. I believe Scotts has some also. Read the labels carefully.

[Charles]

Bermuda grass, 40 ft.

Saint Augustine grass, 80 ft.

Reference? the back of my mind, something I read somewhere and it stuck.

[edlisal]

Wow! Are you sure you didn't mean inches?

Doing a quick Yahoo search,

says "...in drought situations the root system can grow 47 to 59 inches (120-150 cm) deep. Most of the root mass lies 24 inches (60 cm) under the surface" about Bermuda grass.

Also, according to

Bahiagrass roots go 8 feet deep.

HTH, Lisa

[Charles]

Nope, feet. If it had been inches I would have thought nothing of it and forgot it. Again it is just something I picked up along the way and would not attest to any accuracy beyond saying that it is the way I remember it.

[vincent p. norris]

Thanks for the responses.

vince norris