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. From Seed to Plant. Today, you could randomly pick any seed mix, and you are bound to find a significant ratio of KBG grass seeds in it. Do not treat seeded or overseeded areas until at least 60 days after seeding. Not the famous bluegrass of Kentucky, weed bluegrasses are a persistent lawn pest. 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. It spreads by rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense sod. But remember to not go below 2 inches. Proper mowing height for Kentucky Bluegrass is 2.5-3 inches. Another rule of thumb is that, at each mowing, you should only remove about the top 1/3 of the grass blade. The grass will need time to recover and itll be more vulnerable to pests and disease. This added height will protect the root system from the sun. Problem insects for lawns include: But, along with watering, your main task in maintaining a lawn will be mowing it properly. Depending on your mowing and lawn care practices, your KBG lawn may need dethatchingevery year or two. It takes eight weeks or more for those tiny green, Kentucky bluegrass sprouts -- telltale signs of success -- to form dense growth. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Other than that, the same factors are in play as with seeding. height. Spring provides the optimal temperature for leaf growth, with a spacing of just 10 days between the appearances of new leaves. You can top up compost in the spring with a smaller amount. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Unfortunately, in most states, KBG plants are never allowed to mature to the flowering and seed production stage. These bermuda grass pictures show how the crab grass has a wider leaf structure than the bermuda. Its wise to consider your climate and the needs of your lawn before making a decision. Canada. In fact, it is considered by many to be the humble pasture grass that triggered Americas obsession with lawns. This grass variety has a deep root system, which means that it can absorb water thats held deep within the soils. Popular types of grass include Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, centipede grass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue lawn grass. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Do not use a dethatcher if you dont need to, as the process is really hard on the grass. Here are facts and control options for annual and rough bluegrass. Ideally, as with its competitors, KBG fares particularly well when planted in fall. Stay vigilant for potential de-icing salt damage from nearby sidewalks and streets. Fall aerationhelps reduce soil compaction. Late seedings are more vulnerable to winter damage. How fast the spread is from thereon will be based on the number of seeds broadcasted. Sod requires just as muchpreparation and maintenance as does sowing grass seed; proper watering is especially critical for both. Rough bluegrass (also known as rough stem bluegrass) is a perennial grass somewhat similar to annual bluegrass. Prevent new weeds and feed your established KBG lawn in early spring with Pennington UltraGreen Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer III 30-0-4. So, they will in all likelihood be starved to death by the weeds. Finally, follow it all up with some much-needed fertilizer. Apply this preemergent before crabgrass starts germinating that happens as soil temperatures hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Zoysia is pleasant on the eyes and feet. High maintenance, as they require a lot of water, fertilizer, and pest, weed, and insect management. This makes it a great choice for lawns where sports will be played. There are two main ways to get the roots of your grass to grow deeper: proper mowing and watering. 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. That said, the hybrid varieties are bred to offer improved tolerance towards certain weather conditions and stressors. Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes grow quite quickly and form a thick sod in the spring. If youre aiming to create a lawn that looks great and is healthy and thriving, youll need to choose the right variety of grass. Because Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a dense sod, it is capable of crowding out less vigorous grasses over time. 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. 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. Later in the fall, you will need to rake fallen leaves off your lawn. At maturity, Kentucky bluegrass is about 20-24 inches (51-61 cm.) Snow moldoften attacks KBG lawns. Chinch bugs prefer spring-fertilized lawns. Bermuda grass is often confused with crabgrass, or the names may be used interchangeably. 1. 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. When comparing Fescue vs. Bluegrass, they are both lovely varieties of cool-season grasses that can be used to create a healthy green lawn. Seed and overseed. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? 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. Grass should never be mowed lower than this because it would cause young seedlings to be pulled up and ruin the overall health of the lawn. But the other part of its name is a misnomer: It is native to Europe and northern Asia, not Kentucky. Kentucky Bluegrass is known as a very good looking lawn, while also being super hardy and having the ability to repair itself very quickly. Stems are slightly compressed and leaves are rolled in the bud. Known simply as Poa due to its genus name Poa annua, it's related to other Poa grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass. The word blue in the name comes from its flower heads, which are a remarkable silvery blue or purplish-blue. A cool-season lawn grass with exceptional winter hardiness, KBG produces a durable and dense lawn with its medium-fine texture and remarkably dark green hue. . It's not uncommon to find heavily irrigated Kentucky bluegrass growing in the sun-baked lawns of the West and Southwest. Oh yes, it's grass, too. Breeding programs have created new cultivars that can keep bluegrass appearance with less water or fertilizer. 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. This will increase the germination rates. All plants need open, moist soil and sunlight to germinate, and Kentucky bluegrass thick rhizomatous growing habit prevents access to these two essentials. BEST HEAT TOLERANCE: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Heat-Tolerant Blue Mix. In the first year of growing, 6 pounds per 1000 square feet (2.5 kg. Sale ends 4/25. The state of Kentucky lays claim to the nickname "Bluegrass State," but Kentucky bluegrass didn't originate there. If thatch builds up more than a 1/2 inch, then youll need to dethatch. Add its medium to fine texture, and a KBG lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet. Before planting your Kentucky bluegrass seed, rototill the top six inches of your existing soil. As a cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. A typical KBG lawn needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall during normal weather. Hello, my name is Samantha Bray and this is my blog. 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. It prefers a well-draining clay-loam soil that is slightly acidic. Generally, you will find people saying that KBG does not fare well when water supply dips. This website also participates in the ShareASale, Clickbank & Cj affiliate programs, and other sites. Water the seedlings: Provide 1-inch of water per week to the established grass and increase to 2 inches in temperatures above 24 or 75. If the grass gets damaged, your lawn will repair itself. 25-40 Days. Whether you live in the north of the country, or one of the Southern transition states, Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most common turfgrass for lawns. Once you get to summer temperatures of 80 degrees F or more, root growth stops completely and the plant enters its dormant phase. Read more articles about Kentucky Bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass gained early U.S. popularity as a pasture grass in Kentucky. Tall Fescue. Grass seed mixtures provide the most biologically diverse lawn: the grass plants won't look identical, but your lawn has a better chance . Keep your KBG lawn free of winter debris, such as sticks and rocks. 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 . However, this variety is also a favorite for using on ball fields, campgrounds, and golf fairways. Tall Fescue is commonly grown in yards in the north and south of America. It is very compact in the northeast however plug spaced 12" apart haven't filled in within a year and probably wont completely until next year. 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. It has a fine, soft emerald or blue-green foliage. Poke the soil to create small holes that allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grasss roots. Your local seed distributor, garden center , or county extension educator can help you to determine the best . Kentucky bluegrass blades have distinctive, boat-like tips. "Usually only the top part of the grass blade will snap off and the rest of the grass will be fine," says Kiser. 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. Fix bare and brown lawn spots in KBG lawns with Pennington One Step Complete Sun & Shade. Once established, it spreads readily via underground stems known as rhizomes to form a dense, thick turf. 7) Creeping Bentgrass. For light cases of thatch (under 1 inch), you can remove a short enough thatch with a rake. The farther north you live, the earlier fall tasks begin. Peak growth is reached when soil temperature hits 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Young grass does best when kept at a 2-inch (5 cm.) tall. Mix the seeds in with the sand/or compost. Simply put, KBG feels both the heat and the thirst more intensely than other cool-season and of course warm-season grasses. When seeding, allow for at least 6 weeks before your estimated first frost to establish itself well enough to survive the winter. By Michelle Wishhart. Seed when soil temperatures are 50-65 (10-18). Use the off-season to maintain lawn toolsso you're ready for an early spring. Usually, weekly mowing will be enough to achieve this result. 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 case you experience a hot or dry summer, this will also help retain moisture. This is the optimal time for KBG germination, establishment and repair. However, it may take Kentucky bluegrass 14 to 30 days to . This height increases to 3 to 4 inches in summer to help it survive the summer heat. And now, lets look at the similarities between Fescue vs. bluegrass. 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. If the leaves are too thick, wet, or matted down, rake them up and remove them. Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions. Six to eight weeks before your area's first expected frost, prepare KBG for winter. This is also a smart way to crowd out weeds naturally. In terms of winter tolerance, it is the most resilient of all cool-season grasses. This grass is always in need of a drink because its shallow root system does a poor job of holding on to moisture. The irrigation requirement goes up in summer for all grasses. As a result, youll need to cut the grass back and maintain your borders constantly. If the leaves are not too thick or wet, mulch the leaves with your mower into dime-sized pieces to recycle the nutrients back into your lawn. 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. That typically corresponds to daytime air temperatures of 60F to 75F. 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. Onion Grass. The best form of control is using a pre-emergent herbicide on lawns annually. per 93 sq. It germinates best between soil temperatures of 50F to 65F, or air temperatures of 60F to 75F. 39-61 Days. Never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mowing. It provides instant results, but laying sod costs more. Unlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a self-spreading, sod-forming grass. 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}. Begin by aerating your lawn. September is a great time to lay Kentucky bluegrass sod, with spring being the second-best time. Germination time takes anywhere between 21 to 28 days. The leaf blades are significantly thinner than those of the tall fescue and each stem has no more than 3-4 blades. How long does it take to grow Kentucky bluegrass? Of these, a mere 3 were pasture varieties while the rest were all meant for lawn application. 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. Examine the grass color. Once ground temps exceed 70-80 degrees, germination drops off significantly, if not completely. This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage. Excess thatch amplifies drought stress and increases risks of brown patchand other lawn diseases. This means that it will be a good 3-4 weeks after planting before you see the green shade making an appearance. You can usually locate this North American native on northern and eastern exposures with rich, sandy loam soils at mid- to high elevations. 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. That may seem high if you are not used to it, but the grass quickly adjusts. You need to maintain the moisture in your soil for successful germination, so make sure to irrigate up to 16 inches. Healthy Kentucky bluegrass lawns grow thick enough to prevent most weeds from germinating. Follow along to keep your yard up to date! Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. Bag the season's first lawn clippings to discourage winter-related lawn disease. Ryegrass, for example, germinates in just five to 10 days, and fescue . Cover the seed lightly and keep the soil moist until they start sprouting. However, the growth declines sharply once the 70-degree mark is breached. It is one of the most common types of grass grown in lawns in North America. So, heres what tests have revealed over the years: Plus, there is a significant difference in the drought tolerance of various cultivars. ), you can usually locate this north American native on northern and eastern exposures with rich, sandy soils..., fertilizer, and golf fairways show how the crab grass has a deep root system from sun. 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As does sowing grass seed ; proper watering is especially critical for both preemergent crabgrass! The north and south of America a KBG lawn may need dethatchingevery year two. Asia, not Kentucky at maturity, Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a sod! Best form of control is using a pre-emergent herbicide on lawns annually unlike what does kentucky bluegrass look like when it sprouts grasses, such sticks.