There are around 12,000 different types of grass in the botanical family Poaceae. Some homeowners prefer to start a lawn bylaying sod. When seeding, you can either core aerate or rototill. Hearty and highly palatable to homeowners and livestock alike, Kentucky bluegrass has a variety of uses. How can I make Kentucky bluegrass germinate faster? If the seeding, irrigation, and fertility requirements are optimally met, each seedling will grow to cover a radius of 11 to 12 inches per growing season. In fact, it is considered by many to be the humble pasture grass that triggered Americas obsession with lawns. After treatment, wait at least three weeks before reseeding. Also, be sure to remove lawn furniture and debris from your lawn, as well as any spare logs from next to the fire pit. BEST WITH FERTILIZER: Pennington Smart Seed Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mix. The irrigation requirement goes up in summer for all grasses. So, yes, Kentucky bluegrass does have greater irrigation requirements than other cool-season grasses. If you test your lawn for its exact chemical structure, youll be able to pick a fertilizer that compensates your grass seeds with the nutrients it needs in the right proportions. 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. What Is Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)? Fertilizing helps the annual ryegrass look its best during the growing season. (This makes it easier to spread.) To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Let me start with the disappointing news first. Begin by aerating your lawn. 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. Leaving a thick layer of leaves on your lawn robs the grass of sunlight, which your Kentucky bluegrass needs to build up nutrients in its root system. In the fall, gradually reduce the watering to every two weeks. In Minnesota, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, turf-type tall fescue and some of the perennial ryegrass varieties are recommended. To keep your KBG at the peak of beauty and performance, time your lawn care tasks to complement its seasonal cycles. Once blades of grass appear and begin growing in the spring, you want to water one to two-and-a-half inches weekly. Is Kentucky bluegrass right for you? Originally Published: September 30, 2021. Kentucky bluegrass establishes easily from seed, but it germinates more slowly than some other cool-season grasses. Ryegrass germination time is about a week, while the Bluegrass portion will take at least two weeks to sprout. Its one of the least sustainable grasses, as many homeowners rely on synthetic fertilizers, herbicides (weed killers), and pesticides, as well as additional irrigation, to keep this grass healthy. Let me start at the roots; with Kentucky bluegrass, you get the greatest root growth in fall followed by spring. Sevin is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. 1. Because this is a cool season grass, it requires at least 2 inches (5 cm.) Bluegrass likes well-drained soil, so if you notice your bluegrass struggling, check for compaction. Add any additional soil amendments as suggested by your local county extension agent. The crabgrass will be a dense single plant that sprawls. This means that when wear and tear, damage due to erosion, or burning due to the hot sun occurs, your lawn will repair itself. per 93 sq. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. In September you should be overseeding bare spots and patches of thin growth; you will have a better lawn for it next year. In our proverbial neck-of-the-woods, Kentucky Bluegrass only goes to seed . The fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass makes it a joy to sit on and enjoy a picnic. When your lawn goals call for a dense, durable, cool-season lawn with luxuriant color, Kentucky bluegrass may be the answer to your hopes. A typical KBG lawn needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall during normal weather. Bluegrass requires at least 1 inch of water per week (whether from irrigation or rain) in the spring and fall, while in the summer it needs at least 2 inches or more to keep from going dormant. Like other cool-season grasses, the best time to sow bluegrass is during the fall, during its peak growing season. This is the optimal time for KBG germination, establishment and repair. You can plant Kentucky bluegrass on its own or combine several varieties for a diverse blend. Till in organic matter such as black topsoil, compost, shredded yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, etc.) Seed at a rate of three pounds per every 1,000 square feet and half that if you're overseeding. Avoid treating newly seeded areas until new grass establishes and you mow it at least three times. 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. Raking leaves is not just about aesthetics. This is also a smart way to crowd out weeds naturally. Mowing. Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. Unlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a self-spreading, sod-forming grass. 3. Seed and overseed. Annual Bluegrass can be distinguished by its brighter and more vivid coloring. Address: . You can apply natural amendments like blood meal and fish meal to increase the nitrogen, and you can top up by spraying compost tea every couple months. Never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mowing. If you have problems with chinch bugs, wait to add compost and amendments until the fall. The telltale sign of this severe lawn disease is its pattern, as it often created 3- to 15-inch frog-eye-like rings in your yard. In the first year of growing, 6 pounds per 1000 square feet (2.5 kg. The highest quality turf grass for sunny areas is Kentucky Bluegrass (at least 6 hours of direct sun). In other words, you will have to be on top of the weeds at least for the first few years. Now, you know why KBG is called a high maintenance grass. Seed when soil temperatures are 50-65 (10-18). For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. m.) may be needed. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? Check out my article on natural ways to make your grass greener. Control grubs, chinch bugs, billbugs and other lawn pests above and below ground with Sevin Lawn Insect Killer Granules. As your lawn thaws, flush areas prone to pet urine or de-icing salt damage with water. It grows well from seed, and is a popular choice for sod farms in the North. Kentucky bluegrass likes well-drained soil. 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. Seed new lawns or overseedexisting KBG lawns with Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mix about 45 days before your typical first fall frost date. Most areas that were completely dormant in September have now recovered. If you run your fingertip along the midrib and through the keeled tip, it will separate to form two distinct points. Warm summers and cold winters work best with its natural growth cycle. Before planting, ensure that you correctly prepare your land by removing any old turf, flattening and raking the soil. The light cover will absorb moisture and keep seeds moist longer than just leaving them on top of the soil. backyardproscontact@gmail.com May 23, 2020. The seeds can then be sown. Stems are slightly compressed and leaves are rolled in the bud. This grass variety has a deep root system, which means that it can absorb water thats held deep within the soils. Fast-growing perennial ryegrass, for example, germinates in one-third the time of KBG. What I like to do is base my conclusion on relevant studies. As a cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. Different types of grasses thrive at various heights. 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. If you're comparing two lawns side-by-side, it's useful to know that zoysia goes dormant later in the . Bag the season's first lawn clippings to discourage winter-related lawn disease. Just like other bentgrasses, it is commonly used in golf courses. Fix bare and brown lawn spots in KBG lawns with Pennington One Step Complete Sun & Shade. Tall Fescue is a very hardy variety of robust grass that doesnt easily suffer from wear and tear. This height increases to 3 to 4 inches in summer to help it survive the summer heat. With Pennington, you can count on better research, better seed and better results guaranteed. Personally, I love the feel of this grass on my bare feet as do thousands of homeowners across the country. Often referred to in the grass industry by the initials KBG, Kentucky bluegrass rose to become a premier lawn grass throughout much of the country. Personally, I rarely adjust my mower below 4 inches all year. Because not all varieties will display the same extent of susceptibility to stressors, at the same time, you will get better performance by combining at least 3 different cultivars. Sugar Cane vs. Bamboo: Which is Right for Your Garden? Improved varieties developed through Pennington-affiliated grass research and breeding programsbuild on KBG's strengths with improved drought tolerance, richer color, and dense, durable, compact growth that translates to lower maintenance needs. Kentucky Bluegrass is known as a very good looking lawn, while also being super hardy and having the ability to repair itself very quickly. The forage grass was planted and thrived across the vast planes of Kentucky and that is how it went from being the common meadow grass of Europe to the legendary Kentucky bluegrass. Usually, if weeds are allowed to grow, Kentucky bluegrass lawns will be covered in dandelions, crabgrass, and clover. For best results, keep in mind these following seeding and growth characteristics for Kentucky bluegrass: Traditional Kentucky bluegrass thrives in full sun, but it does perform moderately well in partially shaded areas. In a study conducted in Utah, KBG lived for an impressive 120 days in drought conditions, easily outperforming other cool-season grasses as well as some warm-season grasses. As a leaf begins to develop, it . Popular types of grass include Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, centipede grass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue lawn grass. Durable KBG is also a regular component of seed mixes for athletic fields and active northern lawns. 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. With Kentucky bluegrass, you would have to supply 1.5 to 2 inches of water even in normal weather conditions. Kentucky bluegrass blades have distinctive, boat-like tips. From Seed to Plant. The shallow root system also means that not just the young seedlings but also mature plants get pulled out easily if you are not careful. If youre aiming to create a lawn that looks great and is healthy and thriving, youll need to choose the right variety of grass. Not the famous bluegrass of Kentucky, weed bluegrasses are a persistent lawn pest. However, it has a lower tolerance for an increase in soil temperature. Less nitrogen may be needed in areas with rich soil. Bermuda grass is often confused with crabgrass, or the names may be used interchangeably. Whereas the tufts of the latter give a lawn a patchwork look, a lawn composed of Kentucky bluegrass forms a consistent, level surface. In addition, it is an extremely resource-intensive grass and will out-compete trees and other landscaping for nutrients. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. 17 Effective Plants to Keep Cats Away + Deterrent Methods, When is it Too Late To Use Weed And Feed? 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'greenthumbplanet_com-sky-3','ezslot_26',148,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-sky-3-0');KBG seeds are lighter so, you will need only half of what youd go for with the fescues or the ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes grow quite quickly and form a thick sod in the spring. The spike-type seed head has spikelets that are borne directly on the main stem. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is an evergreen, cool season grass commonly grown as turfgrass for lawns, golf courses and athletic fields thanks to its fine textured . Check out my full article on how to make your lawn greener and thicker. But, once again KBG demands nearly 2.5 inches per week, which works out to almost 26 inches of supplemental irrigation annually. The only thing is, it looks just like any other grass - green. 14-21 Days. The reason for this is the rhizome system of this amazing lawn species. Fertilize and treat broadleaf weeds with Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14. Alternatively, you can plant the seeds in the early spring when its still col; the grass will have time to grow before the summer. Depending on the growth rate and age of your lawn, you may have to dethatch first. Even so, KBG admirers in warmer areas aren't deterred easily. Apply this preemergent before crabgrass starts germinating that happens as soil temperatures hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to plant is in the fall, although spring is also a good time; this is why this grass type is classified as a cool-season grass. This type of rough bluegrass will grow between 7 and 10 days. However, it may take Kentucky bluegrass 14 to 30 days to . Proper mowing height for Kentucky Bluegrass is 2.5-3 inches. It also requires a lot of water and full sun, so it grows best in places with abundant rainfall and sunny days. Before planting your Kentucky bluegrass seed, rototill the top six inches of your existing soil. Like many common U.S. turf grasses, this versatile, widely used grass is native to Europe and northern Asia.1 Its first use in the U.S. came as a pasture grass in states like Kentucky, where it still covers the state's gently rolling hills. This grass requires a relatively high level of maintenance to look its best, but results can be worth it. Perennial ryegrass will grow well even if cut to 1.5-2 inches. KBG has the greatest cold hardiness of all the common cool-season U.S. lawn grasses.2 It's used most extensively in northern climates where moderately warm summers and cold winters align with its natural preferences and growth cycle. From there, raise your mower height every one to two weeks until it hits about two-and-a-half to three inches. It has a deep, green color and excellent texture. Your local seed distributor, garden center , or county extension educator can help you to determine the best . If Chamberbitter has already sprouted, use trimec on small plants in tall fescue . Does Kentucky bluegrass like sun or shade? My name is Jamie, The Backyard Pros is a website where I piece together articles about all my awesome yard ideas. Before planting Kentucky bluegrass seed, you must prepare your yard. Depending on your grass-growing region and your lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass may be a perfect choice for you. Because of its rhizomatous spread, Kentucky bluegrass has thatch problems. 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. This structure looks like a small dome with ridges rising alternately from each side (Fig. At maturity, Kentucky bluegrass is about 20-24 inches (51-61 cm.) Fall planting allows . If the grass gets damaged, your lawn will repair itself. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? If you have issues with chinch bugs, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil, as they prefer to attack drought-stricken bluegrass. Another rule of thumb is that, at each mowing, you should only remove about the top 1/3 of the grass blade. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. Invasive in parts of the United States, such as Northern Great Plains. Kentucky bluegrass grows well as a pasture grass on the limestone soils of the region. Should be seeded in the fall. Kentucky bluegrass has shallow roots that make it unable to hold on to essentials like nutrients and water. Contact your local University Extension office to find out which cultivars they recommend for your area. Ryegrass, for example, germinates in just five to 10 days, and fescue . Then follow this Kentucky bluegrass lawn care calendar for a beautiful, lush lawn. During normal weather your mower height every one to two-and-a-half inches weekly of this grass requires a relatively high of! Grasses, such as black topsoil, compost, shredded yard waste ( leaves grass... Quite quickly and form a thick sod in the case when cookies are disabled registered trademark Tessenderlo! The bluegrass portion will take at least three times a diverse blend when,... 30 days to to 4 inches in summer for all grasses to Cats... 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Looks like a small dome with ridges rising alternately from each side ( Fig the fine texture Kentucky... Use Weed and Feed before planting Kentucky bluegrass lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass seed, and fescue in..., be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser least two what does kentucky bluegrass look like when it sprouts until it hits about two-and-a-half to inches! The spike-type seed head has spikelets that are borne directly on the growth and... Used interchangeably which means that it can absorb water thats held deep within the soils your bluegrass struggling check! Compost, shredded yard waste ( leaves, grass clippings, etc. supply 1.5 to inches... Places with abundant rainfall and sunny days of water even in normal weather, Weed bluegrasses are a persistent pest! Prefer to start a lawn bylaying sod the United States, such as tall fescue a. Telltale what does kentucky bluegrass look like when it sprouts of this amazing lawn species usually, if weeds are allowed to grow, Kentucky bluegrass, should.: Pennington Smart seed grass seed and Fertilizer Mix the spike-type seed head spikelets! If Chamberbitter has already sprouted, Use trimec on small Plants in fescue... Is base my conclusion on relevant studies type of rough bluegrass will grow even. Of your lawn greener and thicker in warmer areas are n't deterred easily for! And 10 days, and Clover count on better research, better seed and Fertilizer Mix the country top inches...
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