Free shipping on orders of $75.00 or more. Kentucky bluegrass is a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. Email: 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. Is Kentucky bluegrass right for you? 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. But once it germinates, it establishes itself quickly. Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass which means it grows throughout the fall and winter months. Blends will be less uniform, but one variety may cover up for the weaknesses of another. The bermuda grass pictured will become dense by establishing many small plants as the runners go out. Kentucky bluegrass is sometimes used for grazing livestock. As a result, youll need to cut the grass back and maintain your borders constantly. Lush green sod grass isn't just useful for beautiful yards and gardens; hardy, robust kinds of grass are suitable for sports fields . Your local agent may recommend you get your soil analyzed first. Check out my article on how to successfully water your lawn with a sprinkler system. The grass will need time to recover and itll be more vulnerable to pests and disease. Its the ideal cool-season grass for erosion control, it displays a hardy profile against drier summer climates, and its long, bluish-green hue makes it the perfect choice for beautification. or an organic matter-based, slow-release fertilizer. It grows via a horizontal rooting system known as rhizomes. To keep your KBG at the peak of beauty and performance, time your lawn care tasks to complement its seasonal cycles. Proper water management is a crucial aspect of KBG lawn care. The common lawn grasses, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue all produce seedheads as do some grassy weeds like annual bluegrass (Poa annua).Seedhead production requires energy from the plant, so it is likely the turf will not only look stemmy due to the seed . Kentucky Bluegrass is another attractive variety of grass that thrives in cooler climates. Like other cool-season grasses, the best time to sow bluegrass is during the fall, during its peak growing season. Though the plant looks like it has clumping growth patterns, the plant survives from year-to-year through creeping, above-ground stems called stolons, which spread easily throughout the surrounding turfgrass canopy. The optimal soil pH for KBG lawns is near 5.8 to 7.0.3. keeping the seeds moist continually through a combination of cover, Perennial Ryegrass Guide: What It Is and How To Grow It. Young grass does best when kept at a 2-inch (5 cm.) Sprouted blades of Kentucky bluegrass are a lush, dark emerald green that has an almost blue hue to it. Similar results were observed in an early British study conducted in 1943. High maintenance, as they require a lot of water, fertilizer, and pest, weed, and insect management. It is one of the most common types of grass grown in lawns in North America. This added height will protect the root system from the sun. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');In fact, even without actually plucking out a blade to examine its physical characteristics, youd still be able to spot KBG by the way it stands out from the lighter green of other grasses. That being said the grass is gorgeous and I prefer ir over the other elite varieties i have. It is a cool climate grass, best suited to areas with mild to warm summers and colder winters, like Victoria and Tasmania. Characteristics. Apply organic matter such as rotted manure or compost tilled to eight to ten inches to improve soil structure and fertility. It's not uncommon to find heavily irrigated Kentucky bluegrass growing in the sun-baked lawns of the West and Southwest. Part of the charm of a healthy Kentucky bluegrass lawn is its rich emerald to blue-green color. Because of the finer and thinner blades, KBG works well for manicured lawns as well as for more natural rolling meadows.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-leader-1-0'); There arent actual streaks of blue in the distinctive green of KBG. Use an Atrazine Weed Killer as a preemergent in centipede and st. augustine lawns. Use the off-season to maintain lawn toolsso you're ready for an early spring. How can I make Kentucky bluegrass germinate faster? Plus, the root system is simply not equipped to dig deeper into the soil layers to access the stored moisture there. By Michelle Wishhart. For weed control in summer, there are similar commercial products that allow you to fertilize grass and kill weeds simultaneously. The cool season turfgrasses growing in Michigan have been in full-blown seedhead production mode in the last week. Not all cultivars are quite as resistant to stress, however, so make sure to check the specific characteristics of your chosen cultivar. Before planting Kentucky bluegrass seed, you must prepare your yard. 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. Creeping Bentgrass ( Agrostis palustris) is classified among perennial cool-season bentgrasses. If you have sandy soil, youll need to water shallowly more frequently (1 inch every 7 days) as sandy soil doesnt keep water very well. Generally, cool-season grass cultivars can be segregated into two categories: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'greenthumbplanet_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_18',150,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-narrow-sky-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'greenthumbplanet_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_19',150,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-narrow-sky-2-0_1');.narrow-sky-2-multi-150{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:55px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:45px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}The problem is that you wont find these at the local garden store. Homeowners who live in cooler areas should plant cool-season grasses such as Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass. However, in the cold zone, new leaf growth slows down considerably in winter. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-box-4','ezslot_11',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-box-4-0');It has one of the longest germination times of all cool-season grasses. This website is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Old post but I got some because I was intrigued. Suitable for northern lawns from coast to coast. Rough bluegrass (also known as rough stem bluegrass) is a perennial grass somewhat similar to annual bluegrass. 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. Once ground temps exceed 70-80 degrees, germination drops off significantly, if not completely. Some homeowners prefer to start a lawn bylaying sod. The best way to begin the decision process is to draw up a list of pros and cons for the respective choices. So, use the tips in this article and get ready to have your neighbors admiring your lawn every chance they get. 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.). Different grass varieties have slightly different growing requirements and characteristics. The added iron helps maintain KBG's beautiful emerald color. Will Kentucky bluegrass choke out other grass? This way, you are keeping them alive, so that they can recover when weather conditions improve or irrigation requirements are fully met. Stay vigilant for potential de-icing salt damage from nearby sidewalks and streets. Invasive in parts of the United States, such as Northern Great Plains. This is because of its nature of forming a heavy mat-like smooth texture, making it suitable for golfing areas. This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage. Core aerate before overseeding to relieve compaction. This grass is generally the faster growing of the two. Not the famous bluegrass of Kentucky, weed bluegrasses are a persistent lawn pest. This is the optimal time for KBG germination, establishment and repair. This allows sun, water, and nutrients to continue penetrating the base of your grass and stops the tips from turning dull and brown. Zoysia is pleasant on the eyes and feet. 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. . When a swath of KBG is seen from afar, as it flowers, it appears to be covered by a haze of blue and that is how the grass earned its moniker. Roughstalk bluegrass can be confused with Kentucky . 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. Sevin is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. 1. September also provides better conditions for you than planting the grass summer, which is important because, with all the prep work involved, you will be spending a lot of time in the yard on this project. Flowers cluster to form an inflorescence and are arranged along open branches (panicle). Still keep the soil moist until the Kentucky bluegrass germinates. (Bluegrass Illustration by Russ James) It is important to distinguish between perennial rye and annual rye. Keep reading to find out. Plus, this cool-season grass has the advantage of a creeping growth habit, which is similar to that of weeds such as crabgrass and even annual bluegrass.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-netboard-1','ezslot_20',160,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-netboard-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-netboard-1','ezslot_21',160,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-netboard-1-0_1');.netboard-1-multi-160{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. In fact, the creeping growth habit is what gives this grass its ability to stage a rapid recovery from damage. Keep between 1/4 to 1/2 inch of thatch, as itll shade the soil and keep it moist for longer to help solve one of Kentucky bluegrass major drawbacks. Usually, if weeds are allowed to grow, Kentucky bluegrass lawns will be covered in dandelions, crabgrass, and clover. You can top up compost in the spring with a smaller amount. Mulch or rake leaves so your KBG is free from leaf cover. 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. This will increase the germination rates. Necrotic ring spot, like many lawn diseases, starts with the grass fading to a yellow to light green color before eventually thinning out. When seeding, you can either core aerate or rototill. Add its medium to fine texture, and a KBG lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet. They are usually only sold by specialty establishments that serve the turf and landscaping industries. 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. KBG is extensively used for creating lawns in yards, parks, and gardens as well as on heavily used turfs such as golf fairways, ball fields, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Kentucky bluegrass blades have distinctive, boat-like tips. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is a short-to-medium height, cool-season, long-lived, highly palatable, perennial grass that has smooth, soft, green to dark green leaves with boat-shaped tips. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'greenthumbplanet_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',159,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Although 2 inches is the ideal mowing height for Kentucky bluegrass, cultivars such as Touchdown, Ram1 and Flyking can be mowed down to 1 inch. The fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass makes it a joy to sit on and enjoy a picnic. 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. Peak growth is reached when soil temperature hits 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that it will be a good 3-4 weeks after planting before you see the green shade making an appearance. It should be mowed before it ever reaches 3 inches (7.5 cm.). Excess thatch amplifies drought stress and increases risks of brown patchand other lawn diseases. If you choose Kentucky Bluegrass over Tall Fescue, youll need to care for your lawn as this grass requires mowing, aerating, and watering. But, thats not how KBG got its name! It spreads by rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense sod. Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions. But how would they go about selecting one type of cool-season grass over another? A Kentucky Bluegrass lawn requires 3-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually. Here are facts and control options for annual and rough bluegrass. In the case of cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, your work calls for a regiment of fall preparation for lush springtime germination. Yet, unlike in summer, you won't have the scorching heat to contend with, which dries out the seed. Continue mowing until your grass stops growing. Also, pay attention to insect control, for which there are both products to apply after the fact and preventive measures. Perennial Ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass can be mowed as low as 1.5 inches in the cooler times of the year. Please enter your email address below to receive a password reset link. However, it does not grow well in deep . Thats useful for Kentucky bluegrass, which does have a tendency to turn brown and patchy in arid heat. The midrib is flanked by parallel blade sides that taper and culminate into a boat-shaped/keeled tip. Wise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. Whether or not you know it, when you think of the ideal lawn, youre probably imagining Kentucky bluegrass. The National Center for Biotechnology Information. Regular soil testingevery three to four years can help you maintain a healthy pH balance and rich KBG color. For this reason, bluegrass varieties or mixtures that contain bluegrass and other rhizomes are well suited for areas that are likely to suffer from erosion. For instance, even when the weather is normal, you would still need twice as much water for KBG as you would for other cool-season grasses. 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. The picture below shows this underground stem system and how it grows from the plant. For regular mowing: To achieve a mowing height of 2 inches, make sure that you take off the length before it reaches 3 inches. Zoysia grass also makes for a durable lawn as it is resistant to weeds, insects, and diseases that would be bad news for other types of grass. 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