July 31, 2025
Since 1998, Eagle Lake Turf Farm & Landscape Supply has been at the forefront of selecting industry-leading seed cultivars. While most people don’t think twice about what grows great grass… we can’t stop thinking about it. The truth is, the genetics in your lawn or sport field from 20 to 40 years ago don’t even come close to what’s available today. Thanks to science and decades of selective breeding, today’s turfgrass varieties offer performance, efficiency, and adaptability that were simply out of reach in earlier generations. There’s an entire industry behind the scenes dedicated to researching, testing, and refining seed varieties to meet the demands of modern landscapes and unpredictable climates.
Early on, our focus was almost exclusively on Kentucky Bluegrass. But as demands on turf have evolved to consider less water, less maintenance and overall performance so has our approach. Today, we incorporate evaluations of other species like Fine Fescues and begin by analyzing both individually and in combination. This lets us craft custom blends with improved drought tolerance, lower input needs, and higher resilience without sacrificing performance.
Our farm managers constantly examine traits like dark colour, leaf texture, and density. These aren’t just aesthetics; they’re indicators of quality and long-term success. We look for cultivars that are Darker, Dwarfer, Denser, with better spring green-up, minimal seed head production, and superior climate adaptability. These observations, combined with technical data, shape the blends that make our turf truly stand apart.
Seed selection is about more than just green blades and fast germination. Every variety we consider is pre-tested across a range of performance categories, each critical to both project success and environmental impact:
1. Decreased Water Usage Drought resistance is more important than ever. The right seed variety develops deeper roots and uses water more efficiently, meaning less irrigation is needed to keep turf green and healthy. These grasses stay greener longer between waterings, leading to cost savings and greater resilience during dry spells, critical for homeowners, contractors, and municipalities alike.
2. Heat Tolerance With longer, hotter summers, especially in Alberta, selecting turf that can handle prolonged heat stress is essential. Heat-tolerant grasses resist browning and thinning, maintaining a lush appearance and recovering quickly after extreme weather. Alberta is one of the best climates for the grass cultivars we select, and we intend to continue to evolve our selection process as the climate continues to adapt as well.
3. Reduction of Inputs (Pesticides and Fertilizers) Some varieties are naturally more resistant to pests and disease, while others require fewer nutrients to thrive. Our blends are selected to minimize the need for chemical inputs, supporting healthier soil and lower maintenance costs.
4. Overall Sustainability Sustainability is the sum of many parts—carbon sequestration, erosion control, biodiversity, and beyond. Seed varieties that establish quickly, last longer, and require fewer resources contribute to greener, more environmentally responsible landscapes across the province.
Behind the scenes, our farm managers and technical partners pore over data from hundreds of cultivars and test plots across North America. We track everything from academic trial results to field performance under Western Canadian conditions and use it to craft proprietary blends that are second to none.
But seed selection is just the beginning. At Eagle Lake, we back our seed decisions with expert growing conditions, premium soil health management, and meticulous harvesting practices. It starts with research and ends with results.
So, the next time you step onto a lawn or field grown by Eagle Lake Turf, know that what’s underfoot was years in the making. Because great turf doesn’t just happen. It starts with the seed.
Check out our varieties here...
