When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. or an organic matter-based, slow-release fertilizer. Years after, 3 pounds per 1000 square feet (1.5 kg. Tall Fescue grows in small clumps, and blades of grass grow vertically. By September, the soil has had all summer to warm up to these levels. This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage. Wise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. This website is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Typically, you will need to irrigate with at least 1.5-2 inches of water every week in normal (non-summer) weather conditions. Overseeding bare spots will help prevent weeds. Its rhizomes allow it to spread and create new grass plants. As a home owner and as someone with garden centre experience, I know plenty about backyard and lawn care products. Kentucky bluegrass establishes easily from seed, but it germinates more slowly than some other cool-season grasses. This manual effort is still the most effective method for many weeds. In alkaline soils, pH-induced iron deficiency can turn KBG pale green. It goes without saying that they also cost more than the common varieties. It will take Kentucky bluegrass seed at least two weeks (and up to a month) to germinate, whereas other cool-season grasses can do so in a little more than one week. Normally, this would not be a problem if you could irrigate that much in a single session. Germination time takes anywhere between 21 to 28 days. There are many different kinds of Fescue and Bluegrass, the most common being Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass. Apply only 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per every 1,000 square feet of lawn from October to May. The optimal soil pH for KBG lawns is near 5.8 to 7.0.3. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? If you choose Kentucky Bluegrass over Tall Fescue, youll need to care for your lawn as this grass requires mowing, aerating, and watering. . This, despite the greater need for water to keep this grass standing tall in warm areas! Kentucky bluegrass is a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. Seed and overseed. Just like other bentgrasses, it is commonly used in golf courses. Even then, I am still talking about 3 lbs/1000 sq ft. if you are laying down a new seedbed and 1.5 lbs/1000 sq ft. if you are working with a patch with fairly good growth (overseeding). Because Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a dense sod, it is capable of crowding out less vigorous grasses over time. Like all cool-season grasses, new shoots develop in fall and spring. Originally Published: September 30, 2021. Whether or not you know it, when you think of the ideal lawn, youre probably imagining Kentucky bluegrass. Determining the correct mowing height answers, at the same time, the question of how often to mow. It provides instant results, but laying sod costs more. Sprouted blades of Kentucky bluegrass are a lush, dark emerald green that has an almost blue hue to it. This means it's best to control Chamberbitter in the early summer before it has begun to seed. Proper mowing height for Kentucky Bluegrass is 2.5-3 inches. In this blog post, we will discuss the steps you need to take to ensure the successful germination of your Kentucky bluegrass lawn! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The state of Kentucky lays claim to the nickname "Bluegrass State," but Kentucky bluegrass didn't originate there. May 23, 2020. Both types of grasses are generally easy to care for and fast-growing. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Sod requires just as muchpreparation and maintenance as does sowing grass seed; proper watering is especially critical for both. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This means consistently and correctly performing such tasks as fertilizing, watering, and mowing. Like all Poa grasses, this weed grass has canoe-shaped leaf tips. Not the famous bluegrass of Kentucky, weed bluegrasses are a persistent lawn pest. Kentucky Bluegrass Invasion in the Northern Great Plains and Prospective Management Approaches to Mitigate Its Spread. Because of its spreading growth, KBG develops thatch easily. If you do have disturbed areas, use soil amendments to fortify the seedbed. Ideally, as with its competitors, KBG fares particularly well when planted in fall. This grass is always in need of a drink because its shallow root system does a poor job of holding on to moisture. New shoots (rhizomes and tillers) are produced primarily in the spring and late summer. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a uniform sod. If youre core aerating for overseeding, then a core aerator will actually remove enough thatch to skip this step. Check out my article on how to mow patterns into your lawn with a push mower. This is because of its nature of forming a heavy mat-like smooth texture, making it suitable for golfing areas. The good news is that Kentucky bluegrass is a relatively fast-germinating grass and typically takes between 7 and 14 days to sprout. Spring is the second-best season but KBG seeding in spring should only be done if absolutely needed. Weeds are more of a problem when starting a new lawn from scratch, taking advantage of bluegrass long germination period, and where the grass has thinned because of damage. Legend has it that when early settlers looked out on the fields of Poa pratensis in Central Kentucky, the seed heads took on a purplish hue. Consider the climate you live in, the traffic intensity, and the activities you plan to do in your yard before choosing the type of grass that will meet your needs. This type of grass is also fast to germinate and grows vertically. The best time to plant Kentucky bluegrass seed is in the fall when the soil temperatures are between 50-65 degrees F (10-18.5 C.). Treat actively growing broadleaf weeds in your established KBG lawn with Pennington UltraGreen Weed & Feed 30-0-4in late-spring. All plants need open, moist soil and sunlight to germinate, and Kentucky bluegrass thick rhizomatous growing habit prevents access to these two essentials. Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes grow quite quickly and form a thick sod in the spring. Kentucky bluegrass lawns are more resistant to wear than most cool-season grasses, but thin out when poorly grown or too closely cut. Note: St. Augustine is another grass type that is not usually grown from seed but rather installed as plugs or sod from professional grass suppliers. You can use either a reel or rotary type mower but make sure that the blades are sharp and that the reels are adjusted properly. However, when compared to the lighter shades of other cool-season grasses, the deep emerald color does appear as if it has some blue mixed in it. Kentucky bluegrass gained early U.S. popularity as a pasture grass in Kentucky. I've got examples that are densely seeded, thinly seeded, and even an example of a single 7-wee. The farther north you live, the earlier fall tasks begin. Once blades of grass appear and begin growing in the spring, you want to water one to two-and-a-half inches weekly. Both these varieties can be used to produce a beautiful lawn, but there are some advantages and disadvantages to each. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is one of the most beautiful lawn grasses. Sprinkle the seed on top of the sand (or compost) and let it dry for 30- 60 minutes. This article will compare Fescue vs. Bluegrass. Fall aerationhelps reduce soil compaction. m.) may be needed. Kentucky bluegrass likes well-drained soil. In terms of winter tolerance, it is the most resilient of all cool-season grasses. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. However, even though this species is not native to the United States, it is grown all over the East Coast, and can also be grown in the west with irrigation. Skip to the end of the images gallery. Different types of grasses thrive at various heights. When mowing, never take off more than one-third of the leaf length in a single session as this will stress the plant. Finally, take steps to winterize your Kentucky bluegrass and get it ready for next year. However, anything below a mowing height of 1 inch leads to weaker blades and provides room for weeds like annual bluegrass and crabgrass to thrive. Its one of the most widespread grasses in cool-season climates. Chinch bugs prefer spring-fertilized lawns. Thats useful for Kentucky bluegrass, which does have a tendency to turn brown and patchy in arid heat. If a lawn area receives some shade, for example, a grass seed mix suitable for it need contain only one type of grass designed for shade; other types in the mix can offer strengths that the shade-tolerant species lacks. Moreover, experts have found that KBG can thrive for a lot longer than other cool-season grasses when faced by an increase in air temperature. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a cool-season lawn grass with many usesit's a fast grower, a good companion for other grasses and seed blends, and it's low maintenance with many built-in resistances to pests and diseases.It has a few downsides, like patchy growth or difficulty handling shade or higher temperatures, but its pluses outweigh its minuses. (This makes it easier to spread.) Now, you know why KBG is called a high maintenance grass. This means it comes back year after year and grows most vigorously during the cool seasons of fall and spring. tall. Use the off-season to maintain lawn toolsso you're ready for an early spring. When seeding, you can either core aerate or rototill. You can encourage Kentucky bluegrass to germinate faster by creating ideal germination conditions. For best results, keep in mind these following seeding and growth characteristics for Kentucky bluegrass: Plant at a depth of one-fourth to half-an-inch. When things get hot in the transition zone, you will have to increase irrigation to 2.5 inches of water per week. This will increase the germination rates. #514-1231 Pacific Blvd Stems are slightly compressed and leaves are rolled in the bud. Identification: Roughstalk bluegrass is a cool-season perennial grass that can be found in both high- or low-maintenance turfgrass throughout the Midwestern United States. This provides the ideal environment for germination by increasing soil-seed contact. . KBG has an underground rhizomatous stem system that allows it to form a thick, self-spreading mat that can quickly cover thinning and bald spots. . Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular grass types in American yards. The spike-type seed head has spikelets that are borne directly on the main stem. That may seem high if you are not used to it, but the grass quickly adjusts. 7) Creeping Bentgrass. Mowing. The best part about Kentucky bluegrass cultivars is that theyre easy to plant, grow, and manage. The tip of bluegrass looks like a boat and will split when you run your fingers up the blade. Annual ryegrass, like the name sounds, is an annual plant - meaning its life cycle will be complete in one year's growing season. Kentucky Bluegrass is fast-growing after germination and is able to spread horizontally, which means you wont end up with patches. Aesthetically pleasing and durable, this grass performs beautifully on its own and works well with other cold season grasses, making up for their deficits with its winter-hardiness. + 1 778-244-4107 Applying fertilizer in spring is critical, but it is only the beginning: You should maintain a fertilizing schedule throughout the growing season if you want the best possible lawn of Kentucky bluegrass. Pros and Cons of Dethatching Your Lawn (The Ultimate Guide), Single-species blend, multi-species mixture, Excellent tolerance of cold, low tolerance to heat, salt, insect, and disease. As its rhizomatous, it can self-repair, filling in any gaps, and becoming a thick carpet that can withstand high foot traffic. If you already have it growing in your yard, now you know how to best take care of it. What Is Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)? Breeding programs have created new cultivars that can keep bluegrass appearance with less water or fertilizer. The highest quality turf grass for sunny areas is Kentucky Bluegrass (at least 6 hours of direct sun). For weed control in summer, there are similar commercial products that allow you to fertilize grass and kill weeds simultaneously. KBG has relatively shallow roots compared to tall fescue and warm-season grasses. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Sow at least 6 weeks before the first frost date of the year. Zoysia is pleasant on the eyes and feet. If the grass grows taller than the required height, mow down to the appropriate length over subsequent sessions instead of taking off the entire height at one go. Kentucky bluegrass is a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. As a leaf begins to develop, it . Generally, Kentucky bluegrass grows better than tall fescue in moderate shade. Mowing "shocks" the grass into thinking it is under attack. There are two main ways to get the roots of your grass to grow deeper: proper mowing and watering. Its also the most needy of grasses, requiring a lot of fertilizer, a lot of care for insects and disease, and a lot of water. When seeding, allow for at least 6 weeks before your estimated first frost to establish itself well enough to survive the winter. In addition to the ones that I have already mentioned above, varieties such as Apollo, Showcase, Unique and Brilliant also exhibit impressive drought resistance. Kentucky bluegrass tolerates being mowed as short as 2 to 2.5 inches, although it still benefits from being kept longer (3 inches in spring and fall, 4 inches in summer). Rough bluegrass will usually only start to grow between days 7 and 10. It is a true grass, being a member of the Poaceae family. Without a doubt, established KBG will perform much better when faced with a weed threat than other cold season grasses with bunch-growing habits. But, once again KBG demands nearly 2.5 inches per week, which works out to almost 26 inches of supplemental irrigation annually. Its very easy to care for and doesnt need much watering or maintenance. Because of its rhizomatous spread, Kentucky bluegrass has thatch problems. And now, lets look at the similarities between Fescue vs. bluegrass. Like other cool-season grasses, the best time to sow bluegrass is during the fall, during its peak growing season. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-portrait-2','ezslot_25',154,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-portrait-2-0');Generally, with other cool-season lawns, you are looking at an average weekly irrigation requirement of 1-1.5 inches, which can easily be supplied in a single session. From there, raise your mower height every one to two weeks until it hits about two-and-a-half to three inches. So a good time to mow lawns is when the grass is about 3 2/3 inches high. In the first year of growing, 6 pounds per 1000 square feet (2.5 kg. The base of this grass has a specialized culm, or stem, base that is . Read more articles about Kentucky Bluegrass. Cover the seed lightly and keep the soil moist until they start sprouting. Kentucky bluegrass is available as seed or sod. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. And that is all you need to know to have an impressive pure or mixed KBG lawn! Figure 13 . BEST WITH FERTILIZER: Pennington Smart Seed Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mix. It also requires a lot of water and full sun, so it grows best in places with abundant rainfall and sunny days. Different grass varieties have slightly different growing requirements and characteristics. This can help stop the earth from being washed or blown away. It grows via a horizontal rooting system known as rhizomes. Before planting Kentucky bluegrass seed, you must prepare your yard. Let me start at the roots; with Kentucky bluegrass, you get the greatest root growth in fall followed by spring. Fescue vs. bluegrass ; with Kentucky bluegrass is fast-growing after germination and able. 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