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. Germination time takes anywhere between 21 to 28 days. With Pennington, you can count on better research, better seed and better results guaranteed. Depending on your grass-growing region and your lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass may be a perfect choice for you. Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular types in the North. Kentucky bluegrass is available as seed or sod. When given its preferred growing conditions and proper care, this grass produces a dense, lush, durable lawn that lives up to its reputation. They are usually only sold by specialty establishments that serve the turf and landscaping industries. https://www.naturesseed.com/skin/frontend/naturesfinest/vstyle/images/logo.png, Kentucky Bluegrass: How to Plant/Grow and When to Plant, https://www.naturesseed.com/media/wysiwyg/footer-logo.png, Plant at a depth of one-fourth to half-an-inch, Seed at a rate of three pounds per every 1,000 square feet and half that if youre overseeding, Plan to fertilize in the months of September, November, and May (this variety typically requires more fertilizer than tall fescue types), The optimal soil pH for Kentucky bluegrass cultivation is 6.0 to 7.0. The seeds can then be sown. Others want it to feel nice as well so that they can play outside with their kids or lay on the grass. Lenient mowing at a cutting height of 3-5 cm is strongly recommended. Poa trivialis dying out in warm weather looks like a fungal disease. This is also a smart way to crowd out weeds naturally. Crabgrass Control - How To Kill Crabgrass, Crabgrass Varieties: Information On Types Of Crabgrass Weeds, Dandelion Removal: How To Kill Dandelions, Best Trees For Carbon Sequestration And Climate Change, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, Dittany Of Crete Herbs: Tips For Growing Dittany Of Crete, Dust Storms And Gardens: How To Protect Plants From Desert Storms, Cumin Plant Care: How Do You Grow Cumin Herbs, My Tree Stump Is Growing Back: How To Kill A Zombie Tree Stump, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. 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. Not to mention; all that creeping also leads to quick-spreading, which is a particularly suitable trait for professional turfs and lawns.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Creeping grasses spread through underground stems called rhizomes or through stolons, which are stems that grow above the ground. With Kentucky bluegrass, you would have to supply 1.5 to 2 inches of water even in normal weather conditions. Young grass does best when kept at a 2-inch (5 cm.) Hello, my name is Samantha Bray and this is my blog. These bermuda grass pictures show how the crab grass has a wider leaf structure than the bermuda. For many lawn owners in the United States, Kentucky bluegrass is synonymous with the ideal lawn. Since seed would successfully germinate, Kentucky Bluegrass naturally produces it, thus the weedy appearance. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Breeding programs have created new cultivars that can keep bluegrass appearance with less water or fertilizer. When allowed to flower, Kentucky bluegrass has a panicle-like seed head. This slows down to 22 days between appearances as temperatures rise, eventually leading to dormancy in summer. Depending on your mowing and lawn care practices, your KBG lawn may need dethatchingevery year or two. Sign up for our newsletter. 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. Originally Published: September 30, 2021. Kentucky bluegrass is what's known as a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. Use an Atrazine Weed Killer as a preemergent in centipede and st. augustine lawns. Known simply as Poa due to its genus name Poa annua, it's related to other Poa grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass. Free shipping on orders of $75.00 or more. Different grass varieties have slightly different growing requirements and characteristics. Premium, water-conserving seed products such as Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mixcan add to your lawn's resilience. Read on for everything you need to know about Kentucky bluegrass, including pros and cons, care and maintenance, and seasonality. McKay's Kentucky Bluegrass is a cool season bunch type grass, which also has a unique trait of growing underground . Both Tall fescues and Kentucky Bluegrass should be planted during the cooler seasons. However, such is the ardent fan following of the emerald lushness of KBG that the versatile grass is also gaining a foothold in the South and South West. If you're comparing two lawns side-by-side, it's useful to know that zoysia goes dormant later in the . And now, lets look at the similarities between Fescue vs. bluegrass. Hearty and highly palatable to homeowners and livestock alike, Kentucky bluegrass has a variety of uses. So, you will have to supply the h2o in 2-3 sessions of no less than 1 inch each, spaced about 2-3 days apart. You need to maintain the moisture in your soil for successful germination, so make sure to irrigate up to 16 inches. Sow at least 6 weeks before the first frost date of the year. The best time to plant Kentucky bluegrassand do major lawn maintenance is during early fall as cool-season KBG growth peaks. As a cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. As far as distinctive traits go, Id say that the well-defined midrib, which runs along the entire length of each blade, is possibly its most obvious and discernible trait. Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes grow quite quickly and form a thick sod in the spring. Core aerate before overseeding to relieve compaction. Finally, follow it all up with some much-needed fertilizer. Tall Fescue. If the thatch is thick and matted, you may need to rent a dethatcher. Look on the seed tag labelof many grass seed mixes, including shade and sun-and-shade mixes, and you'll find KBG varieties alongside other cool-season grasses. Sprouted blades of Kentucky bluegrass are a lush, dark emerald green that has an almost blue hue to it. The top 1-2 inches of soil needs to be tilled, and the yard needs to be thoroughly watered first. Kentucky bluegrass has shallow roots that make it unable to hold on to essentials like nutrients and water. 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. Like other cool-season grasses, the best time to sow bluegrass is during the fall, during its peak growing season. The cool season turfgrasses growing in Michigan have been in full-blown seedhead production mode in the last week. Because of this, it does well as a grazing crop when mixed with other cool season grasses. Wise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. This grass requires a relatively high level of maintenance to look its best, but results can be worth it. Although its a cool-season grass, it doesnt like to grow in the full sun, but unlike tall Fescue, it isnt as tolerant of hot weather and will suffer during a drought. Follow their instructions on where and how to have your soil tested. Find Out Today, Can An Avocado Tree Grow In A Pot (yes + How To). There are over 100 cultivars of this grass and most stores selling grass seeds will have a variety to choose from. Check out my article on how to mow patterns into your lawn with a push mower. The base of this grass has a specialized culm, or stem, base that is . Contact your local University Extension office to find out which cultivars they recommend for your area. If youre core aerating for overseeding, then a core aerator will actually remove enough thatch to skip this step. Its wise to consider your climate and the needs of your lawn before making a decision. Actually, apart from its greater need for water, this grass has pretty standard maintenance requirements. In addition, their robust root system knots the soil together, allowing it to stay strong against flood damage or heavy winds and rains. This website also participates in the ShareASale, Clickbank & Cj affiliate programs, and other sites. With proper germination conditions, germination takes 7-10 days. Historically, this restricted the widespread use of KBG south of the challenging transition zone where higher heat and humidity favor warm-season grasses, such as Zoysia grass. Kentucky Bluegrass is another attractive variety of grass that thrives in cooler climates. Years after, 3 pounds per 1000 square feet (1.5 kg. Kentucky bluegrass also grows best with a consistent fertilizer schedule. The researchers concluded that KBG had the highest drought resistance when the soil moisture plunged down to a mere 3%. In addition, it is an extremely resource-intensive grass and will out-compete trees and other landscaping for nutrients. If your lawn goes dormant, water it only a couple inches per month, and itll bounce back when temperatures cool. The National Center for Biotechnology Information. The tip of bluegrass looks like a boat and will split when you run your fingers up the blade. The fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass makes it a joy to sit on and enjoy a picnic. Apply fertiliser in both spring and early autumn (but not in summer when it is under high temperature stress). or an organic matter-based, slow-release fertilizer. Its a turf grass thats often used in playing fields and soccer pitches. In contrast, you wont have such a big problem with weeds if you keep the mowing length above 1-1.5 inches. The dust-like, white coverings (powdery mildew) are caused by a fungal organism known as Erysiphe graminis. Yet, unlike in summer, you won't have the scorching heat to contend with, which dries out the seed. Its seed germinates best when the soil temperature is between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. So, here is what the mowing requirements look like: Normal weather mowing: A warm-season grass like Bermuda grass will thrive even when mowed to 1 inch. Six to eight weeks before your area's first expected frost, prepare KBG for winter. How to Kill Chamberbitter. Kentucky Bluegrass, on the other hand, grows slightly differently. When grown in the proper conditions, Kentucky bluegrass has a look like . Determining the correct mowing height answers, at the same time, the question of how often to mow. True to one part of its name, it can bear a relatively dark (bluish-green) color at times. It can be recognized quite easily because of its V shaped leaves. Bag the season's first lawn clippings to discourage winter-related lawn disease. Kentucky bluegrass will do much better when nitrogen is applied. Usually, if weeds are allowed to grow, Kentucky bluegrass lawns will be covered in dandelions, crabgrass, and clover. When things get hot in the transition zone, you will have to increase irrigation to 2.5 inches of water per week. Aside from some varieties of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass is the only popular cool-season grass with a creeping growth habit. Ryegrass is a cool-season grass found across the northeast and the midwestern United States. This structure looks like a small dome with ridges rising alternately from each side (Fig. As a result, youll need to cut the grass back and maintain your borders constantly. Fertilizing helps the annual ryegrass look its best during the growing season. Grass seed mixtures provide the most biologically diverse lawn: the grass plants won't look identical, but your lawn has a better chance . The midrib is flanked by parallel blade sides that taper and culminate into a boat-shaped/keeled tip. 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. What your lawn craves most at this time is nitrogen, and, if you read the label on commercial products such as Scotts Turf Builder, you will see from the NPK ratio that nitrogen is the dominant element. 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. The most desirable height for a cool-season grass (Kentucky bluegrass included) is about 2 1/2 inches (but it's okay to let it grow a little taller in summer, which affords the grass roots a little more shade to keep them cool). Its one of the most widespread grasses in cool-season climates. Plus, the root system is simply not equipped to dig deeper into the soil layers to access the stored moisture there. The best part about Kentucky bluegrass cultivars is that theyre easy to plant, grow, and manage. Whereas the tufts of the latter give a lawn a patchwork look, a lawn composed of Kentucky bluegrass forms a consistent, level surface. Id say this is one of the prime reasons for KBGs continued dominance in lawns and turfs all across the northern areas. A dethatcher throughout the midwestern United States, Kentucky bluegrass, you will have variety. Highly palatable to homeowners and livestock alike, Kentucky bluegrass is what 's known as a,... 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