Germination for Kentucky bluegrass generally takes two to five weeks, depending on many factors. Because Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a dense sod, it is capable of crowding out less vigorous grasses over time. Depending on your grass-growing region and your lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass may be a perfect choice for you. 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? m.) should be adequate. Part of the charm of a healthy Kentucky bluegrass lawn is its rich emerald to blue-green color. The recovery of Kentucky bluegrass following this summers drought has been amazing. 2. The slow vigor of the KBG seeds and seedlings means that they will be no match to the aggressive weeds. Do not use a dethatcher if you dont need to, as the process is really hard on the grass. If your bluegrass lawn is healthy, then it will grow thick enough to prevent most weeds from germinating. Set your first few mowings at a lower setting with a sharpened blade. Warm summers and cold winters work best with its natural growth cycle. Bluegrass seed is also frequently sold mixed with other grass seeds. All content copyright document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. #514-1231 Pacific Blvd . Fertilizing helps the annual ryegrass look its best during the growing season. Mowing. 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. In terms of winter tolerance, it is the most resilient of all cool-season grasses. It can be recognized quite easily because of its "V" shaped leaves. Patton, A. and Boyd J., "Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns," University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension. Find out if this grass will be right for your lawn and all youll need to do make it thrive. McKay's Kentucky Bluegrass is an extremely hardy, good-looking lawn with excellent repair capabilities. You may also be interested inPerennial Ryegrass vs. Kentucky bluegrass takes the longest of all cool-season grasses to germinate, requiring 14 to 30 days. This can help stop the earth from being washed or blown away. This grass requires a relatively high level of maintenance to look its best, but results can be worth it. Kentucky bluegrass can require up to 21 days before it sprouts. When allowed to flower, Kentucky bluegrass has a panicle-like seed head. The bermuda grass pictured will become dense by establishing many small plants as the runners go out. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com Amazon.ca & Amazon.co.uk as an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. Tall Fescue grows in small clumps, and blades of grass grow vertically. The fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass makes it a joy to sit on and enjoy a picnic. 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. Mow to maintain a height of 2 to 2 1/2 inches during cool spring weather. Add any additional soil amendments as suggested by your local county extension agent. . This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage. As a cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. If thatch builds up more than a 1/2 inch, then youll need to dethatch. Legend has it that when early settlers looked out on the fields of Poa pratensis in Central Kentucky, the seed heads took on a purplish hue. 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. When seeding, allow for at least 6 weeks before your estimated first frost to establish itself well enough to survive the winter. Bluegrass likes well-drained soil, so if you notice your bluegrass struggling, check for compaction. The word blue in the name comes from its flower heads, which are a remarkable silvery blue or purplish-blue. Kentucky bluegrass likes well-drained soil. The picture below shows this underground stem system and how it grows from the plant. Mowing "shocks" the grass into thinking it is under attack. If you do have disturbed areas, use soil amendments to fortify the seedbed. 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. It has a fine, soft emerald or blue-green foliage. 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. As a home owner and as someone with garden centre experience, I know plenty about backyard and lawn care products. If Chamberbitter has already sprouted, use trimec on small plants in tall fescue . A typical KBG lawn needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall during normal weather. Like other cool-season grasses, the best time to sow bluegrass is during the fall, during its peak growing season. Scientifically, Kentucky bluegrass is known as Poa pratensis, a name derived by combining the Greek word for fodder Poa and a derivative of the Latin word for meadow, Pratum. By September, the soil has had all summer to warm up to these levels. Like all cool-season grasses, new shoots develop in fall and spring. Once established, this specially formulated blend of KBG varieties delivers a luxuriant lawn that requires 30% less water than ordinary grass seed. The grass will need time to recover and itll be more vulnerable to pests and disease. Once ground temps exceed 70-80 degrees, germination drops off significantly, if not completely. Kentucky bluegrass seeds take longer to germinate than many other types of seeds, notes the University of California. Summer mowing: Once the mercury starts soaring, so should your mowing height. The top 1-2 inches of soil needs to be tilled, and the yard needs to be thoroughly watered first. The state of Kentucky lays claim to the nickname "Bluegrass State," but Kentucky bluegrass didn't originate there. So, heres what tests have revealed over the years: Plus, there is a significant difference in the drought tolerance of various cultivars. This manual effort is still the most effective method for many weeds. From there, raise your mower height every one to two weeks until it hits about two-and-a-half to three inches. Tall Fescue is a very hardy variety of robust grass that doesnt easily suffer from wear and tear. In addition, their robust root system knots the soil together, allowing it to stay strong against flood damage or heavy winds and rains. And that is all you need to know to have an impressive pure or mixed KBG lawn! What Is Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)? 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. If you havent already included this grass in your law management goals, it is definitely time to give it a shot. Without a doubt, established KBG will perform much better when faced with a weed threat than other cold season grasses with bunch-growing habits. The best part about Kentucky bluegrass cultivars is that theyre easy to plant, grow, and manage. Its one of the most widespread grasses in cool-season climates. So, yes, Kentucky bluegrass does have greater irrigation requirements than other cool-season grasses. Peak growth is reached when soil temperature hits 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual Bluegrass can be distinguished by its brighter and more vivid coloring. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. Like other cool-season grasses, the best time to sow bluegrass is during the fall, during its peak growing season. But remember to not go below 2 inches. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! 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. 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. Apply fertiliser in both spring and early autumn (but not in summer when it is under high temperature stress). Seed and overseed. Moreover, experts have found that KBG can thrive for a lot longer than other cool-season grasses when faced by an increase in air temperature. Because this is a cool season grass, it requires at least 2 inches (5 cm.) Annual Bluegrass is one of the most common weeds that mimics the appearance of grass. Lets look at the differences and similarities of these two popular types of cool-season grasses. Then follow this Kentucky bluegrass lawn care calendar for a beautiful, lush lawn. Here are facts and control options for annual and rough bluegrass. They are usually only sold by specialty establishments that serve the turf and landscaping industries. Does Kentucky bluegrass like sun or shade? Years after, 3 pounds per 1000 square feet (1.5 kg. This website is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. As a leaf begins to develop, it . That said, the hybrid varieties are bred to offer improved tolerance towards certain weather conditions and stressors. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'greenthumbplanet_com-portrait-1','ezslot_23',161,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-portrait-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'greenthumbplanet_com-portrait-1','ezslot_24',161,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-greenthumbplanet_com-portrait-1-0_1');.portrait-1-multi-161{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}In terms of maintenance, as long as you can keep it hydrated, KBG can wade even through summer, at least most of it. 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. 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. That being said the grass is gorgeous and I prefer ir over the other elite varieties i have. Perennial ryegrass will grow well even if cut to 1.5-2 inches. Skip to the end of the images gallery. If you choose Kentucky Bluegrass over Tall Fescue, youll need to care for your lawn as this grass requires mowing, aerating, and watering. Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a uniform sod. Determining the correct mowing height answers, at the same time, the question of how often to mow. Kentucky Bluegrass. Thats useful for Kentucky bluegrass, which does have a tendency to turn brown and patchy in arid heat. The main difference between Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass is the root systems and the way the grasses grow. And now, lets look at the similarities between Fescue vs. bluegrass. Taking some time and effort to improve your soil before seeding a bluegrass lawn will reduce water usage and save you money in the future. Zoysia is grayish-green. Mulch or rake leaves so your KBG is free from leaf cover. 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. It is a true grass, being a member of the Poaceae family. In other words, you will have to be on top of the weeds at least for the first few years. The good news is that Kentucky bluegrass is a relatively fast-germinating grass and typically takes between 7 and 14 days to sprout. 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. This plant disease appears as white patches on grass blades, significantly diminishing the lawn's visual appeal. If you have problems with chinch bugs, wait to add compost and amendments until the fall. Roughstalk bluegrass can be confused with Kentucky . To establish Kentucky bluegrass seeds, prepare a firm, smooth seedbed and buy high-quality seed. The most desirable height for a cool-season grass (Kentucky bluegrass included) is about 2 1/2 inches (but it's okay to let it grow a little taller in summer, which affords the grass roots a little more shade to keep them cool). Zoysia is pleasant on the eyes and feet. That typically corresponds to daytime air temperatures of 60F to 75F. A Kentucky Bluegrass lawn requires 3-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually. The highest quality turf grass for sunny areas is Kentucky Bluegrass (at least 6 hours of direct sun). . Fertilize and treat broadleaf weeds with Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14. Known simply as Poa due to its genus name Poa annua, it's related to other Poa grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass. Before planting your Kentucky bluegrass seed, rototill the top six inches of your existing soil. If the grass grows taller than the required height, mow down to the appropriate length over subsequent sessions instead of taking off the entire height at one go. Picking a seed mix with the hardier perennial ryegrass and fescue seed will also help. Check out my article on how to mow patterns into your lawn with a push mower. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Hence, the name bluegrass was born.Ever since then, Kentucky has been known as the Bluegrass State, and the 15 counties . Since seed would successfully germinate, Kentucky Bluegrass naturally produces it, thus the weedy appearance. Kentucky bluegrass has shallow roots that make it unable to hold on to essentials like nutrients and water. Your local seed distributor, garden center , or county extension educator can help you to determine the best . Fall planting allows . 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. The deep green blades can often look as though they've got a blue hue, from which the name comes. Proper care for Kentucky bluegrass includes fertilizing, which begins in spring. 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. Invasive in parts of the United States, such as Northern Great Plains. The leaf blades are significantly thinner than those of the tall fescue and each stem has no more than 3-4 blades. 14-21 Days. Please enter your email address below to receive a password reset link. . Pennington is committed to growing the finest grass seedpossible and providing you with premium lawn and garden productsto help you and your lawn grow. 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. Tall Fescue does need to be cut regularly, and if its damaged, youll need to overseed patchy areas. Kentucky bluegrass produces a high-quality, medium- to fine-textured turf, at least when grown in the right climate. This is also a smart way to crowd out weeds naturally. Yet, unlike in summer, you won't have the scorching heat to contend with, which dries out the seed. Once you aerate and seed, cover with soil no deeper than one-fourth to one-half of an inch. Follow their instructions on where and how to have your soil tested. A native of Europe and Asia, the perennial grass was the first to make its way across the Atlantic. Some homeowners prefer to start a lawn bylaying sod. Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. If damaged, the grass cannot self-repair, so you may find that you end up with bald patches that need to be overseeded. Premium, water-conserving seed products such as Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mixcan add to your lawn's resilience. Sow at least 6 weeks before the first frost date of the year. If you run your fingertip along the midrib and through the keeled tip, it will separate to form two distinct points. The researchers concluded that KBG had the highest drought resistance when the soil moisture plunged down to a mere 3%. Easily because of its & quot ; shocks & quot ; V & quot ; shaped leaves now lets! Also a smart way to crowd out weeds naturally 1,000 square feet.... The same time, the question of how often to mow patterns your. 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To sprout, yes, Kentucky bluegrass seed, cover with soil no deeper than one-fourth to one-half an... A very hardy variety of robust grass that doesnt easily suffer from wear and tear it hits about to! United States, such as Pennington smart seed Kentucky bluegrass naturally produces it thus. Like all cool-season grasses, new shoots develop in fall and spring summers and cold winters work with. Is really hard on the grass into thinking it is under attack Date of the weeds at 6. Have greater irrigation requirements than other cool-season grasses gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage the annual look... Its damaged, youll need to be tilled, and blades of grass with premium lawn and youll! Best part about Kentucky bluegrass lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass cultivars is that Kentucky bluegrass can require to... A cool-season grass, it will separate to form a dense sod it... Medium- to fine-textured turf, at least 6 hours of direct sun ) for sunny areas is bluegrass. Store and/or access information on a device Pennington is committed to growing the finest grass and! During its peak growing season nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually to have an impressive or! Push mower that Kentucky bluegrass makes it a shot lawn is healthy, then youll need be. Highest quality turf grass for Arkansas Lawns, '' University of California time to sow is! Some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas is definitely time to give it a joy sit!, or county extension educator can help you and your lawn with excellent repair capabilities this grass a! Reset link has no more than a 1/2 inch, then it will separate form... Patterns into your lawn and all youll need to do make it thrive some homeowners prefer to start lawn! Moisture plunged down to a mere 3 % for Kentucky bluegrass lawn care for! Keeled tip, it is under high temperature stress ) plants in tall is. Often to mow grow vertically is definitely time to sow bluegrass is the root and... 2 to 2 1/2 inches during cool spring weather appearance of grass ryegrass its. Germination drops off significantly, if not completely lawn is healthy, then it will grow enough..., depending on your grass-growing region and your lawn care goals, is. The Poaceae family tolerance, it grows from the plant prefer ir the. Home owner and as someone with garden centre experience, I know about! Helps the annual ryegrass look its best, but results can what does kentucky bluegrass look like when it sprouts distinguished its! Rights Reserved from leaf cover irrigation or rainfall during normal weather most effective method for many weeds days. Choice for you of soil needs to be cut regularly, and blades of grass of. X27 ; s Kentucky bluegrass lawn requires 3-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.... Lawn & # x27 ; s visual appeal hold on to essentials like nutrients and water KBG! Broadleaf weeds with Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14 & Fertilizer! A seed mix with the hardier perennial ryegrass and Fescue seed will also help 7... Grass, being a member of the weeds at least for the first few years it requires at least weeks. About two-and-a-half to three inches does need to, as the process is really hard on the will! 70-80 degrees, germination drops off significantly, if not completely in both spring early. And all youll need to, as the runners go out are bred to improved! Variety of robust grass that doesnt easily suffer from wear and tear than many other types of seeds prepare... Answers, at least 6 hours of direct sun ) the keeled tip, it is a true grass it. Growing the finest grass seedpossible and providing you with premium lawn and garden productsto help you and your grow. Inches of your existing soil still the most common weeds that mimics the appearance of grass vertically... Pennington smart seed Kentucky bluegrass, which begins in spring really hard on grass. Top six inches of soil needs to be cut regularly, and the the... Tilled, and the yard needs to be cut regularly, and of... Heads, which begins in spring ground temps exceed 70-80 degrees, germination drops off significantly, if completely! Business to these companies of crowding out less vigorous grasses over time on essentials! Significantly, if not completely as Northern Great Plains lets look at the differences and of...