"But steps on a brittle lawn can leave an unsightly look.". And thats the requirement for non-summer months! In this blog post, we will discuss the steps you need to take to ensure the successful germination of your Kentucky bluegrass lawn! You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. As your lawn thaws, flush areas prone to pet urine or de-icing salt damage with water. In fact, KBG seeds take almost thrice as long to germinate as compared to the quick-growing perennial ryegrass. 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. 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. Kentucky Bluegrass. All plants need open, moist soil and sunlight to germinate, and Kentucky bluegrass thick rhizomatous growing habit prevents access to these two essentials. Add any additional soil amendments as suggested by your local county extension agent. Core aerate before overseeding to relieve compaction. Because Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a dense sod, it is capable of crowding out less vigorous grasses over time. 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. Kentucky bluegrass is sometimes used for grazing livestock. . The grass will need time to recover and itll be more vulnerable to pests and disease. I've got examples that are densely seeded, thinly seeded, and even an example of a single 7-wee. 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. If allowed to develop properly, it can withstand low grazing. Follow along to keep your yard up to date! Different grass varieties have slightly different growing requirements and characteristics. It has a fine, soft emerald or blue-green foliage. Depending on your mowing and lawn care practices, your KBG lawn may need dethatchingevery year or two. The slow vigor of the KBG seeds and seedlings means that they will be no match to the aggressive weeds. Stems are slightly compressed and leaves are rolled in the bud. If you choose Kentucky Bluegrass over Tall Fescue, youll need to care for your lawn as this grass requires mowing, aerating, and watering. Although its a cool-season grass, it doesnt like to grow in the full sun, but unlike tall Fescue, it isnt as tolerant of hot weather and will suffer during a drought. Kentucky Bluegrass is another attractive variety of grass that thrives in cooler climates. "Usually only the top part of the grass blade will snap off and the rest of the grass will be fine," says Kiser. This cool-season, sod-forming perennial grass is also palatable for grazing animals. Like all Poa grasses, this weed grass has canoe-shaped leaf tips. turf horse tracks). It's a state; a region; a music genreeven a lifestyle. Depending on where you grow it and who you ask, KBG is a medium to high maintenance grass. Cover the seed lightly and keep the soil moist until they start sprouting. of water per week to keep it healthy, growing, and green. Seed at a rate of three pounds per every 1,000 square feet and half that if you're overseeding. This added height will protect the root system from the sun. Bermuda grass is often confused with crabgrass, or the names may be used interchangeably. Sprinkle the seed on top of the sand (or compost) and let it dry for 30- 60 minutes. The best time to do this is in the early spring before weeds are noticeable. If you already have it growing in your yard, now you know how to best take care of it. Moreover, it makes for a tasty pasture grass for livestock grazing due to its ability to pile on the pounds in cattle. 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. Sale ends 4/25. Kentucky bluegrass is what's known as a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. This grass variety has a deep root system, which means that it can absorb water thats held deep within the soils. However, this variety is also a favorite for using on ball fields, campgrounds, and golf fairways. If your area gets less water than this, it will be necessary to irrigate. Anthurium Magnificum: Care + Everything You Need to Know, What Planting Zone is Illinois in? Annual Bluegrass is one of the most common weeds that mimics the appearance of grass. In Minnesota, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, turf-type tall fescue and some of the perennial ryegrass varieties are recommended. This allows sun, water, and nutrients to continue penetrating the base of your grass and stops the tips from turning dull and brown. 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 cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. Even so, KBG admirers in warmer areas aren't deterred easily. Pure seed will give you a unified look. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Check out my full article on how to make your lawn greener and thicker. That may seem high if you are not used to it, but the grass quickly adjusts. With that out of the way, let me clarify that spring seeding should only be attempted if the turf has been damaged due to winter weather or if it has not recovered as well as it should have from the problems of the previous year or if you are reclaiming a lawn after new construction. Fast-growing perennial ryegrass, for example, germinates in one-third the time of KBG. All trademarks are either the property of Central Garden & Pet Company, its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated and/or related companies or the property of their respective owners. But, you will need to give KBG time to establish its dominance. This all-in-one combination repairs bare spots in two weeks or less under proper growing conditions. The soil needs to be warm enough for germination and root development so that it will survive through the winter. However, it recovers quickly with irrigation and a return to normal conditions. Ryegrass germination time is about a week, while the Bluegrass portion will take at least two weeks to sprout. Lets look at the differences and similarities of these two popular types of cool-season grasses. Core aerate before overseeding to relieve compaction. Fertilize your summer lawn with Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer 30-0-4. Old post but I got some because I was intrigued. You will seldom need to overseed a Kentucky bluegrass lawn unless it encounters heavy traffic and wear. Tall Fescue grass, on the other hand, is more tolerant to the heat and drought and only needs minimal watering. Kentucky bluegrass tolerates being mowed as short as 2 to 2.5 inches, although it still benefits from being kept longer (3 inches in spring and fall, 4 inches in summer). It is a true grass, being a member of the Poaceae family. This type of grass is not only functional but also looks great, as its very green and beautiful. Find Out Today, Can An Avocado Tree Grow In A Pot (yes + How To). 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. The irrigation requirement goes up in summer for all grasses. Root systems. Perennial Ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass, a cool season grass, is a species native to Europe, Asia, Algeria, and Morocco. Tall Fescue is a very hardy variety of robust grass that doesnt easily suffer from wear and tear. Bluegrass requires more nitrogen than grasses like perennial ryegrass and fescues, but you can still use natural methods. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. High maintenance, as they require a lot of water, fertilizer, and pest, weed, and insect management. Most areas that were completely dormant in September have now recovered. Like all cool-season grasses, new shoots develop in fall and spring. There are around 12,000 different types of grass in the botanical family Poaceae. The seeds can then be sown. Kentucky bluegrass spreads via rhizomes to form a uniform sod. 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. Start mowing your KBG lawn as soon as it starts growing. Homeowners also have preferences when it comes to their lawns. During hot summer weather, especially in the transition zone, KBG may need 2 inches or more water per week to avoid going dormant in summer. Stay vigilant for potential de-icing salt damage from nearby sidewalks and streets. As a cool-season grass, it grows most vigorously during the spring and fall seasons. This provides the ideal environment for germination by increasing soil-seed contact. In addition, it is an extremely resource-intensive grass and will out-compete trees and other landscaping for nutrients. Never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mowing. It grows via a horizontal rooting system known as rhizomes. Kentucky bluegrass is a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. Different types of grasses thrive at various heights. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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 . There are two main ways to get the roots of your grass to grow deeper: proper mowing and watering. Growth picks up again in autumn, starting at 22 days between new leaves. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. 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 . Fertilize and treat broadleaf weeds with Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14. Deep, thorough watering encourages deep root growth. Other than that, the same factors are in play as with seeding. Not all cultivars are quite as resistant to stress, however, so make sure to check the specific characteristics of your chosen cultivar. 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. Its wise to consider your climate and the needs of your lawn before making a decision. Before planting Kentucky bluegrass seed, you must prepare your yard. Kentucky bluegrass, for example, works best when mowed to a height of one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches. Kentucky bluegrass seeds will tolerate limited shade but grow best in full sun. The main difference between Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass is the root systems and the way the grasses grow. Prevent new weeds and feed your established KBG lawn in early spring with Pennington UltraGreen Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer III 30-0-4. If damaged, the grass cannot self-repair, so you may find that you end up with bald patches that need to be overseeded. Onion Grass. However, they have slightly different care requirements. Will Kentucky bluegrass choke out other grass? Tall Fescue. Like many common U.S. turf grasses, this versatile, widely used grass is native to Europe and northern Asia.1 Its first use in the U.S. came as a pasture grass in states like Kentucky, where it still covers the state's gently rolling hills. When grown in the proper conditions, Kentucky bluegrass has a look like . Sow at least 6 weeks before the first frost date of the year. Before planting your Kentucky bluegrass seed, rototill the top six inches of your existing soil. As bluegrass spread horizontally, it will encroach on areas such as flowerbeds, walkways, and paths. Annual Bluegrass can be distinguished by its brighter and more vivid coloring. This growth habit distinguishes it from bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). When given its preferred growing conditions and proper care, this grass produces a dense, lush, durable lawn that lives up to its reputation. However, in the cold zone, new leaf growth slows down considerably in winter. Flowers cluster to form an inflorescence and are arranged along open branches (panicle). It can be recognized quite easily because of its "V" shaped leaves. 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. Tall Fescue grows in small clumps, and blades of grass grow vertically. Compared to tall fescue, traditional Kentucky bluegrass varieties have relatively shallow roots, which typically mean a lower tolerance for heat and drought. Fast-greening perennial ryegrass and shade-tolerant fescues complement Kentucky bluegrass' strengths to create versatile, lush, cool-season lawns. In September you should be overseeding bare spots and patches of thin growth; you will have a better lawn for it next year. The fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass makes it a joy to sit on and enjoy a picnic. Well-maintained Kentucky bluegrass develops into a thick, lush lawn. 3. However, Kentucky bluegrass doesn't do it on its own. There are over 100 cultivars of this grass and most stores selling grass seeds will have a variety to choose from. 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. You can usually locate this North American native on northern and eastern exposures with rich, sandy loam soils at mid- to high elevations. Kentucky bluegrass produces a high-quality, medium- to fine-textured turf, at least when grown in the right climate. 7) Creeping Bentgrass. Aside from some varieties of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass is the only popular cool-season grass with a creeping growth habit. 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. Continue mowing until your grass stops growing. 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. 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. If you have issues with chinch bugs, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil, as they prefer to attack drought-stricken bluegrass. , however, in the botanical family Poaceae under proper growing conditions your grass grow. 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