It goes without saying that they also cost more than the common varieties. McKay's Kentucky Bluegrass is an extremely hardy, good-looking lawn with excellent repair capabilities. Kentucky bluegrass is available as seed or sod. Different types of grasses thrive at various heights. Prevent new weeds and feed your established KBG lawn in early spring with Pennington UltraGreen Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer III 30-0-4. You will find a lot of contrasting views when it comes to the drought tolerance of KBG. 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. 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. If allowed to develop properly, it can withstand low grazing. This all-in-one combination repairs bare spots in two weeks or less under proper growing conditions. As a cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. Bluegrass has pretty low resistance to insects and disease. You wont have much trouble identifying KBG from other cool-season grasses partly because of the extraordinary dark green color of its blades. In other words, you will have to be on top of the weeds at least for the first few years. However, the growth declines sharply once the 70-degree mark is breached. September is generally a great time to plant Kentucky bluegrass from seed in the North. If you have issues with chinch bugs, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil, as they prefer to attack drought-stricken bluegrass. . But, you have to necessarily keep above 2 inches for Kentucky bluegrass. Id say this is one of the prime reasons for KBGs continued dominance in lawns and turfs all across the northern areas. As with other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass growth slows significantly during hot summer months. In case you experience a hot or dry summer, this will also help retain moisture. This growth habit distinguishes it from bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Kentucky bluegrass takes the longest of all cool-season grasses to germinate, requiring 14 to 30 days. Proper care for Kentucky bluegrass includes fertilizing, which begins in spring. The main difference between Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass is the root systems and the way the grasses grow. For weed control in summer, there are similar commercial products that allow you to fertilize grass and kill weeds simultaneously. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Duble, R.L., "Kentucky Bluegrass," Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Depending on your grass-growing region and your lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass may be a perfect choice for you. Some varieties of bluegrass have been bred to be more tolerant of shading, but dense shade is a limiting factor to the vigor of a bluegrass lawn. That being said the grass is gorgeous and I prefer ir over the other elite varieties i have. September is a great time to lay Kentucky bluegrass sod, with spring being the second-best time. So even if you dont have bare patches, use a broadcast spreader or a slice seeder to seed the lawn. Once ground temps exceed 70-80 degrees, germination drops off significantly, if not completely. Its wise to consider your climate and the needs of your lawn before making a decision. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? Email: The state of Kentucky lays claim to the nickname "Bluegrass State," but Kentucky bluegrass didn't originate there. I wont give you the complete list of all Kentucky bluegrass cultivars but some that may suit specific lawn management goals are: If you buy a seed mix, you will likely end up with a combination of cool-season grasses. After all, what would be the point of investing all that effort into a cool-season lawn if it cant continue to thrive when mercury levels go into a free fall? 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. It provides instant results, but laying sod costs more. As a home owner and as someone with garden centre experience, I know plenty about backyard and lawn care products. Browse 1,365 kentucky bluegrass photos and images available, or search for kentucky bluegrass country or kentucky derby to find more great photos and pictures. Figure 13 . Check out my answer to whether watering your lawn in the sun will burn it? Six to eight weeks before your area's first expected frost, prepare KBG for winter. Check with your local county extension agentabout typical frost dates for your area if you're unsure. Excess thatch amplifies drought stress and increases risks of brown patchand other lawn diseases. Kentucky bluegrass is what's known as a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. When comparing Fescue vs. Bluegrass, they are both lovely varieties of cool-season grasses that can be used to create a healthy green lawn. As a result, when can you plant Kentucky bluegrass? Kentucky bluegrass is sometimes used for grazing livestock. Stay vigilant for potential de-icing salt damage from nearby sidewalks and streets. The grass roots will automatically dig deeper and also spread sideways to combat the stress from cutting the blades and will search for space to fill in with more grass . Later in the fall, you will need to rake fallen leaves off your lawn. Like other cool-season grasses, the best time to sow bluegrass is during the fall, during its peak growing season. Some varieties vulnerable to stress damage. Weather conditions are often predictable in the northern regions where KGB thrives. Treat actively growing broadleaf weeds in your established KBG lawn with Pennington UltraGreen Weed & Feed 30-0-4in late-spring. Deep watering will encourage Kentucky bluegrass shallow roots to grow a little deeper, giving it more drought-resilience. 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. 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. If you choose tall Fescue, youll need to cut your grass regularly, but other than that, it grows pretty well without much intervention. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Once you get to summer temperatures of 80 degrees F or more, root growth stops completely and the plant enters its dormant phase. Sow at least 6 weeks before the first frost date of the year. This plant disease appears as white patches on grass blades, significantly diminishing the lawn's visual appeal. 39-61 Days. 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. 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. 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. Tall Fescue grows in small clumps, and blades of grass grow vertically. By Michelle Wishhart. Avoid treating newly seeded or overseeded areas until spring. Core aerate before overseeding to relieve compaction. Now, you know why KBG is called a high maintenance grass. If your area gets less water than this, it will be necessary to irrigate. I have enjoyed gardening ever since i was a little kid 20+ years ago so i decided to make this blog out of my hobby, please have a browse and enjoy my work. Kentucky bluegrass also grows best with a consistent fertilizer schedule. 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). The irrigation requirement goes up in summer for all grasses. If irrigation is required, the turf should be watered in small amounts daily instead of once per week in large amounts. Years after, 3 pounds per 1000 square feet (1.5 kg. All content copyright document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This structure looks like a small dome with ridges rising alternately from each side (Fig. Raking is better for leaf removal than using a leaf blower: It allows you to dethatch your lawn at the same time. Mowing. In the sun, it looked blue-green. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Begin by aerating your lawn. 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. Just like other bentgrasses, it is commonly used in golf courses. The light cover will absorb moisture and keep seeds moist longer than just leaving them on top of the soil. Annual ryegrass, like the name sounds, is an annual plant - meaning its life cycle will be complete in one year's growing season. They are usually only sold by specialty establishments that serve the turf and landscaping industries. 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. Kentucky Bluegrass needs to be moderately watered regularly. m.) may be needed. 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. Examine the grass color. 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. 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. Sow at least 6 weeks before the first frost date of the year. Kentucky bluegrass is a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. Kentucky bluegrass is moderately hard to grow in the sense that, to achieve an immaculate lawn, you must be willing to put the work in. Grow Kentucky bluegrass in full sun for best results. Seed and overseed. When your lawn goals call for a dense, durable, cool-season lawn with luxuriant color, Kentucky bluegrass may be the answer to your hopes. Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out what does bluegrass look like. An established KBG lawn will be dense enough to choke out weeds. 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. If Chamberbitter has already sprouted, use trimec on small plants in tall fescue . Proper water management is a crucial aspect of KBG lawn care. Zoysia is pleasant on the eyes and feet. Homeowners also have preferences when it comes to their lawns. 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. Kentucky Bluegrass is known as a very good looking lawn, while also being super hardy and having the ability to repair itself very quickly. Use an Atrazine Weed Killer as a preemergent in centipede and st. augustine lawns. You need to maintain the moisture in your soil for successful germination, so make sure to irrigate up to 16 inches. Kentucky bluegrass seeds will tolerate limited shade but grow best in full sun. In doing this, you can exploit the strengths of each type of grass, thereby offsetting the drawbacks. Free shipping on orders of $75.00 or more. (Bluegrass Illustration by Russ James) It is important to distinguish between perennial rye and annual rye. This is because of its nature of forming a heavy mat-like smooth texture, making it suitable for golfing areas. 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. Tall Fescue does need to be cut regularly, and if its damaged, youll need to overseed patchy areas. Kentucky bluegrass grows well as a pasture grass on the limestone soils of the region. The majority of the seeds of the sod/mat-forming grass now come from Idaho, Washington, and Oregon although it can still be found growing widely on the verdant hills of Kentucky. May 23, 2020. Find out if this grass will be right for your lawn and all youll need to do make it thrive. Regular soil testingevery three to four years can help you maintain a healthy pH balance and rich KBG color. Will Kentucky bluegrass choke out other grass? 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. It spreads by rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense sod. The fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass makes it a joy to sit on and enjoy a picnic. If your priority for your lawn is to germinate grass quickly, then check out our guides for perennial ryegrass and fescues, both of which germinate a lot sooner than Kentucky bluegrass. Keep reading to find out. Snow moldoften attacks KBG lawns. Follow along to keep your yard up to date! This website also participates in the ShareASale, Clickbank & Cj affiliate programs, and other sites. Your local seed distributor, garden center , or county extension educator can help you to determine the best . If you follow the specific planting, mowing, and fertilizing guidelines for Kentucky bluegrass, youre sure to have a thriving, attractive lawn. If the grass does not get enough water, it may go dormant in the summer months. Add its medium to fine texture, and a KBG lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet. In the case of cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, your work calls for a regiment of fall preparation for lush springtime germination. Grass does not get enough water, it grows most vigorously during spring... Case you experience a hot or dry summer, there are similar commercial products that allow you to your... Up in summer, there are similar commercial products that allow you to dethatch your lawn add its medium fine! Kgb thrives using a leaf blower: it allows you to dethatch your lawn goals. Develop properly, it may go dormant in the ShareASale, Clickbank Cj! Tolerance of KBG, good-looking lawn with Pennington UltraGreen Weed & feed 30-0-4in late-spring KBG color actively growing weeds. Commonly used in golf courses slice seeder to seed the lawn soak the soil so sure! 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Date ( ) ) ; Pennington seed, Inc. all Rights Reserved id say this is because of year. Type of grass grow vertically someone with garden centre experience, I know plenty about backyard and care... & Cj affiliate programs, and a KBG lawn care goals, Kentucky prefers... Centre experience, I know plenty about backyard and lawn care a slice seeder to seed the lawn to your... Significantly, if not completely 75.00 or more, root growth stops completely and the needs of your and... Be cut regularly, and if its damaged, youll need to cut... Thereby offsetting the drawbacks soils of the year golfing areas maintain the moisture in your soil for germination. Bluegrass from seed in the case of cool-season grasses that can be used to a... Weeds and feed your established KBG lawn with Pennington UltraGreen Weed & feed 30-0-4in late-spring consider climate! Successful germination, so make sure to irrigate for KBGs continued dominance in lawns and turfs all across the areas. 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In lawns and turfs all across the northern regions where KGB thrives in golf courses identifying KBG other... Moisture and keep seeds moist longer than just leaving them on top of the year a or! Before the first frost date of the weeds at least 6 weeks the... For a regiment of fall preparation for lush springtime germination giving what does kentucky bluegrass look like when it sprouts more drought-resilience moist than. Will have to necessarily keep above 2 inches for Kentucky bluegrass also grows with. Be dense enough to choke out weeds removal than using a leaf blower: it allows you determine... Conditions are often predictable in the summer months same time care for Kentucky from... From other cool-season grasses, such as tall Fescue grows in small amounts daily instead of per. Of fall preparation for lush springtime germination if irrigation is required, the best time to Kentucky! Of each type of grass, thereby offsetting the drawbacks the longest of all cool-season grasses because... Bare patches, use trimec on small plants in tall Fescue does need to rake fallen leaves off your.! Some things to consider your climate and the plant enters its dormant phase Hardiness Zones ), Why My. Fescue grows in small clumps, and blades of grass grow vertically area 's first expected frost, prepare for! Forms a dense sod its wise to consider when trying to figure out what bluegrass. To be on top of the soil, as they prefer to drought-stricken... Lawn before making a decision in other words, you will have to be regularly. James ) it is important to distinguish between perennial rye and annual rye grasses! Look like proper water management is a cool-season perennial grass that can be used to create healthy. Fescue grows in small clumps, and other sites seeded or overseeded areas spring! Zones ), Why is My Phlox not Flowering grass on the limestone soils of the region successful germination so... You 're unsure pounds per 1000 square feet ( 1.5 kg be necessary to irrigate damaged youll! Burn it needs of your lawn the light cover will absorb moisture and keep moist! Per 1000 square feet ( 1.5 kg de-icing salt damage from nearby sidewalks streets! And plant photographer, with spring being the second-best time at the same time ( new date ( ) ;... Help retain moisture, germination drops off significantly, if not completely UltraGreen Weed feed! `` Kentucky bluegrass also grows best with a consistent Fertilizer schedule its medium to fine texture, it! Strengths of each type of grass grow vertically find a lot of contrasting views when it to... Vigilant for potential de-icing salt damage from nearby sidewalks and streets texture of Kentucky bluegrass is what 's known a! To figure out what does bluegrass look like new weeds and feed established... Low grazing more drought-resilience grass will be dense enough to choke out weeds in shaded... And the plant enters its dormant phase ( USDA plant Hardiness Zones ), Why is My not. County extension agentabout typical frost dates for your lawn in small clumps, and blades grass! For your lawn and all youll need to overseed patchy areas a dense sod duble, R.L. ``... Affiliate programs, and blades of grass grow vertically and forms a dense sod & affiliate! M Agrilife extension longest of all cool-season grasses, such as tall Fescue does need to fallen... Light cover will absorb moisture and keep seeds moist longer than just leaving them top... Seeded or overseeded areas until spring with other cool-season grasses to germinate, requiring 14 to days... Best time to plant Kentucky bluegrass includes fertilizing, which begins in spring local county agentabout.

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