In terms of geographic zones, Kansas is located in which area?

• A. A transition zone between the northern cool-season grass range and the southern warm-season grass range
• B. The northernmost cool-season grass range only
• C. The southernmost warm-season grass range only
• D. A tropical grass zone with year-round growth

Answer: (A)

Kansas sits in a transition zone between cool-season and warm-season turfgrass ranges. This means the climate supports cool-season grasses in the cooler parts of the year and warm-season grasses that thrive in hot summers, so neither type fully dominates the state. In the north, cool-season grasses like bluegrass and tall fescue perform well in spring and fall, while in the south, warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass can take off during the heat of summer. The state isn’t tropical, since it experiences cold winters and frost, which keep year-round growth from occurring.