When grown in the proper conditions, Kentucky bluegrass has a look like . Finally, follow it all up with some much-needed fertilizer. The rhizome is a stem and not a root. Check out my ultimate guide for cool season grasses. Often, homeowners choose to install a lawn using a grass seed mix rather than sticking with one particular type of grass. When seeding, keep the lawn moist until all grass species have germinated. 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. Buffalo grass will take about 14-30 days to grow fully. Some varieties vulnerable to stress damage. The picture below shows this underground stem system and how it grows from the plant. BEST FOR LARGE LAWNS: Pendelton Turf Supply . Well-maintained Kentucky bluegrass develops into a thick, lush lawn. Called the Cadillac of lawn grasses, the ubiquitous Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is synonymous with gorgeous and lush yards and turfs all across the northern United States. And that's thought to be one of the reasons it was established in the central and northern regions of Kentucky. With Kentucky bluegrass, you would have to supply 1.5 to 2 inches of water even in normal weather conditions. Some people like their lawns to look nice and green. Unlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a self-spreading, sod-forming grass. Does Kentucky bluegrass like sun or shade? As a cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. The word blue in the name comes from its flower heads, which are a remarkable silvery blue or purplish-blue. However, you dont have to give up your dream of a bluegrass lawn if you can find the right cultivar. 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. And now, lets look at the similarities between Fescue vs. bluegrass. Warm summers and cold winters work best with its natural growth cycle. Id say this is one of the prime reasons for KBGs continued dominance in lawns and turfs all across the northern areas. Is it Illegal to be Naked in Your Backyard? 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. During periods of high heat and lower rainfall, increase KBG mowing heights to 3 to 4 inches. horse mothers and babies - kentucky bluegrass stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. As a leaf begins to develop, it . My name is Jamie, The Backyard Pros is a website where I piece together articles about all my awesome yard ideas. Please enter your email address below to receive a password reset link. Wise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. 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. Patton, A. and Boyd J., "Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns," University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension. But how would they go about selecting one type of cool-season grass over another? Not the famous bluegrass of Kentucky, weed bluegrasses are a persistent lawn pest. Professional Grass Advice for the Perfect Lawn, All You Need to Know About Kentucky Bluegrass, Additional KBG Characteristics to Consider, Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mix, Pennington UltraGreen Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer III 30-0-4, Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer 30-0-4, Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14. 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. In addition, their robust root system knots the soil together, allowing it to stay strong against flood damage or heavy winds and rains. Breeding programs have created new cultivars that can keep bluegrass appearance with less water or fertilizer. 39-61 Days. 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. Zoysia is an extremely aggressive spreading grass that can literally choke out weeds. The irrigation requirement goes up in summer for all grasses. This will give you a more balanced lawn. The farther north you live, the earlier fall tasks begin. Warm summers and cold winters work best with its natural growth cycle. 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. Personally, I rarely adjust my mower below 4 inches all year. It grows from a very extensive system of rhizomes, underground stems that produce new plants. It may also be mixed with tall fescue sod, as the rhizomes are able to hold the sod together without the use of netting. Check out my full article on how to make your lawn greener and thicker. Step 1. This helps prepare KBG for fast spring repairs. The best way to begin the decision process is to draw up a list of pros and cons for the respective choices. But, you have to necessarily keep above 2 inches for Kentucky bluegrass. Premium, water-conserving seed products such as Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mixcan add to your lawn's resilience. Figure 13 . Seeding/Overseeding. This type of grass is not only functional but also looks great, as its very green and beautiful. This will increase the germination rates. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? Years after, 3 pounds per 1000 square feet (1.5 kg. 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. 11 Ways to Fill a Raised Garden Bed for Cheap, 9 Easy Ways to Get Free Rocks for Your Garden, 9 Best Wood Options for Raised Garden Beds. Till in organic matter such as black topsoil, compost, shredded yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, etc.) When soil temperatures are 50-65 degrees, the best time to plant Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (a cool season grass) is from September 15 to November 1. In September you should be overseeding bare spots and patches of thin growth; you will have a better lawn for it next year. tall. If the grass does not get enough water, it may go dormant in the summer months. of water per week to keep it healthy, growing, and green. Kentucky bluegrass seeds take longer to germinate than many other types of seeds, notes the University of California. If thatch builds up more than a 1/2 inch, then youll need to dethatch. Fertilize and treat broadleaf weeds with Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14. At maturity, Kentucky bluegrass is about 20-24 inches (51-61 cm.) Contact your local University Extension office to find out which cultivars they recommend for your area. September is a great time to lay Kentucky bluegrass sod, with spring being the second-best time. Zoysia is pleasant on the eyes and feet. Once ground temps exceed 70-80 degrees, germination drops off significantly, if not completely. Sevin is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. 1. How long does it take to grow Kentucky bluegrass? That includes keeping the seeds moist continually through a combination of cover (even a thin layer of soil or compost will help tremendously) and continuous shallow watering. This provides the ideal environment for germination by increasing soil-seed contact. It has a deep, green color and excellent texture. If youre core aerating for overseeding, then a core aerator will actually remove enough thatch to skip this step. m.) may be needed. Creeping Bentgrass ( Agrostis palustris) is classified among perennial cool-season bentgrasses. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 25-40 Days. This fungus thrives in high relative humidity (90% and above) and warm temperature conditions (60 F -70 F). 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? During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. In general, it takes between seven and 30 days for a plant to grow from a seed, according to Lawn Love, a lawn service company with locations throughout the U.S. For example, if you're trying to plant fescue grass, expect a germination period of seven to 14 days. 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 . Seed and overseed. Let me start at the roots; with Kentucky bluegrass, you get the greatest root growth in fall followed by spring. Also, be sure to remove lawn furniture and debris from your lawn, as well as any spare logs from next to the fire pit. 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. This can help stop the earth from being washed or blown away. Both types of grasses are generally easy to care for and fast-growing. 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. This is because of its nature of forming a heavy mat-like smooth texture, making it suitable for golfing areas. If Chamberbitter has already sprouted, use trimec on small plants in tall fescue . Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes grow quite quickly and form a thick sod in the spring. Roughstalk bluegrass can be confused with Kentucky . per 93 sq. Root systems. Others want it to feel nice as well so that they can play outside with their kids or lay on the grass. Late seedings are more vulnerable to winter damage. Thats useful for Kentucky bluegrass, which does have a tendency to turn brown and patchy in arid heat. Depending on where you grow it and who you ask, KBG is a medium to high maintenance grass. 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. Phone: If you do have disturbed areas, use soil amendments to fortify the seedbed. Kentucky bluegrass is available as seed or sod. So, use the tips in this article and get ready to have your neighbors admiring your lawn every chance they get. Its rich and luxurious blue-green shade sets it apart, making it popular in lawns in the northeast U.S. Its ability to repair itself makes it popular in playgrounds and athletic fields, as well. + 1 778-244-4107 This allows sun, water, and nutrients to continue penetrating the base of your grass and stops the tips from turning dull and brown. Annual Bluegrass can be distinguished by its brighter and more vivid coloring. Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular grass types in American yards. It is a cool climate grass, best suited to areas with mild to warm summers and colder winters, like Victoria and Tasmania. As bluegrass spread horizontally, it will encroach on areas such as flowerbeds, walkways, and paths. 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. Kentucky bluegrass grows well as a pasture grass on the limestone soils of the region. It can make a great companion grass if you're thinking of seeding with multiple varieties. Between 14 and 30 days, look for sprouts in Kentucky bluegrass. In fact, KBG seeds take almost thrice as long to germinate as compared to the quick-growing perennial ryegrass. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Because of this, it does well as a grazing crop when mixed with other cool season grasses. 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. What to Know About Buffalo Grass: A Low-Maintenance Lawn Option, Everything to Know About Growing Tall Fescue Grass, Perennial Ryegrass: Pros and Cons Compared, How to Dethatch a Lawn and Why You Need To, How to Winterize Your Lawn to Keep It Healthy, All About Bermuda Grass: Planting, Care and Cost, Lawn Rolling: What It Is and Should You Do It, Tips for Growing a Lawn in Dry Conditions, How to Grow and Care for St. Augustine Grass, 2.5 inches in spring and fall, 3.5 inches in summer, Is easy on bare feet due to its soft texture, making it a good choice around pools, Recovers well from stress (due to its vigorous rhizomes), Relatively high-maintenance: needs abundant watering, grass has poor water absorption because of shallow roots resulting in mud and water runoff. Very green and beautiful say this is one of the prime reasons for KBGs dominance! Flowerbeds, walkways, and green you have to give up your of. 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