Full Answer
Can You overseed with Kentucky bluegrass?
Overseeding It is as important to prepare the area of your bluegrass lawn for overseeding as it is for planting. Pull out any weeds, get rid of thatch, aerate the soil, and fertilize if necessary. Give the Kentucky bluegrass seeds the best possible opportunity to germinate, grow, and fill out your yard.
What is the best Kentucky bluegrass seed?
- BEST OVERALL: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix
- RUNNER UP: Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed
- BEST WITH FERTILIZER: Pennington Smart Seed Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mix
- BEST HEAT TOLERANCE: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Heat-Tolerant Blue Mix
- BEST FOR LARGE LAWNS: Pendelton Turf Supply Jacklin Seed
How long does Kentucky bluegrass take to germinate?
Kentucky bluegrass is relatively slow to germinate, requiring 10 to 21 days before you can expect to see young seedlings emerge. This time period will be extended if temperatures are cold and the soil is not kept sufficiently moist during this critical period.
How long does Kentucky bluegrass take to grow?
Once properly established, Kentucky bluegrass spreads relatively quickly because of its rhizomes. However, germination and growing into a full lush lawn takes a little longer, approximately 2 – 5 weeks. Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular grass types in the US, especially in the cooler northern states.
What month do you plant Kentucky bluegrass?
Kentucky bluegrass should be planted at 10 to 14 pounds per acre in late summer or early fall when temperatures begin to moderate and rains are more frequent. Higher seeding rates ensure quicker ground cover.
Can I plant Kentucky bluegrass in the fall?
Planting Kentucky Bluegrass The best time to plant Kentucky bluegrass seed is in the fall when the soil temperatures are between 50-65 degrees F (10-18.5 C.). The soil needs to be warm enough for germination and root development so that it will survive through the winter.
Can I plant Kentucky bluegrass in winter?
“Kentucky bluegrass is best planted in fall, between September and November, but can also be planted in winter and spring, between February and May,” says Gian Moore, a partner at MellowPine. “It thrives in moist, shady locations.
What soil temperature does Kentucky bluegrass go dormant?
Root growth of Kentucky bluegrass peaks at soil temperatures of 60°F and declines sharply as temperatures rise above 70°F. Root growth practically ceases at temperatures above 80°F.
What happens if you plant grass seed too late?
Grass that is seeded late can die as a result of the cold harsh conditions, or due to drying out. Freezing and thawing of the soil, coupled with a lack of moisture, leaves the tender roots and crowns susceptible to desiccation. Seeding late into the season still requires the same steps.
Is it too late to plant grass seed in November?
While planting grass seed in November is too late to make the fall growing season, there is a method called dormant seeding. Through dormant seeding, grass seed can be planted in November when the weather is cold enough to keep it dormant until the weather warms up in the spring.
Will Kentucky bluegrass choke out other grass?
Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescues coexist well together, so it's unlikely for one to choke out the other. Fescues will thrive in the shady portions of your yard, while your bluegrass will work to fill in bare spots where grass has been damaged. The two kinds of grass will coexist.
Will Kentucky bluegrass fill in bare spots?
Kentucky bluegrass has a moderate growth pattern and does spread and will fill in bare spots. The grass will go dormant in hot, dry weather as well as during the cold winter months common in North America.
Can you put grass seed down in December?
Grass seed can survive the winter, and planting during the winter season is known as dormant seeding. If you put down grass seed in November or December, the seed will just lay dormant until the soil starts to warm in spring. While this comes with risks, it can also be beneficial and save you time on seeding in spring.
How long does Kentucky bluegrass take to establish?
Kentucky bluegrass needs 2 – 5 weeks to fully establish. Once it has properly spread throughout the lawn, you should keep it at a height of 2 inches.
Can you overseed with Kentucky bluegrass?
Overseeding Bluegrass Thinning Kentucky Bluegrass lawns should be reseeded with Kentucky Bluegrass, not overseeded with ryegrass. Overseeding with ryegrass is a horrible idea since the ryegrass will compete with your Kentucky Bluegrass for nutrients, water, soil, and sunlight.
How long does it take Kentucky bluegrass to sprout?
Kentucky Bluegrass takes about 3 weeks to germinate when both soil temperature and moisture conditions are ideal. Note that cold and/or dry soil can greatly extend the normal germination time.
How long does Kentucky bluegrass take to establish?
Kentucky bluegrass needs 2 – 5 weeks to fully establish. Once it has properly spread throughout the lawn, you should keep it at a height of 2 inches.
Will Kentucky bluegrass choke out weeds?
It can't choke out weeds if the weeds are growing, but as a KBG lawn gets thicker and thicker, it makes it much harder for weeds and weed seeds to get a foothold.
How long does it take for Kentucky bluegrass to sprout?
Kentucky Bluegrass takes about 3 weeks to germinate when both soil temperature and moisture conditions are ideal. Note that cold and/or dry soil can greatly extend the normal germination time.
Can you overseed with Kentucky bluegrass?
Overseeding Bluegrass Thinning Kentucky Bluegrass lawns should be reseeded with Kentucky Bluegrass, not overseeded with ryegrass. Overseeding with ryegrass is a horrible idea since the ryegrass will compete with your Kentucky Bluegrass for nutrients, water, soil, and sunlight.
When is the Best Time to Plant Kentucky Bluegrass?
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.
How to grow Kentucky bluegrass?
To establish Kentucky bluegrass seeds, prepare a firm, smooth seedbed and buy high-quality seed. Kentucky bluegrass likes well-drained soil. If you do have disturbed areas, use soil amendments to fortify the seedbed. Once you aerate and seed, cover with soil no deeper than one-fourth to one-half of an inch.
What is the best grass for lawns?
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. It’s 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. ...
How to keep grass from turning brown?
Set your first few mowings at a lower setting with a sharpened blade. This allows sun, water, and nutrients to continue penetrating the base of your grass and stops the tips from turning dull and brown.
How long does it take for grass to germinate?
Germination time takes anywhere between 21 to 28 days. Once blades of grass appear and begin growing in the spring, you want to water one to two-and-a-half inches weekly.
Do you need to dethatch your lawn?
Depending on the growth rate and age of your lawn, you may have to dethatch first. Seed and overseed. Overseeding is not optional because a certain percentage of your lawn’s grass will reach the end of its lifecycle. So even if you don’t have bare patches, use a broadcast spreader or a slice seeder to seed the lawn.
When is the best time to plant grass?
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.
What is Kentucky bluegrass?
Though its rich, green color and attractive texture have made Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ) one of the most widely grown lawn grasses in the U.S., this species is known for slow germination and establishment. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 6.
When is the best time to plant grass seed?
Many diseases are less active as well, and autumn temperatures and rainfall encourage faster germination . Spring is the second best planting time, but you'll often need more seed to get the same results.
Why is it important to water grass after germination?
This is especially important immediately following germination because undeveloped new roots can't process water the way established grass can. Without proper watering, the seeds won't germinate or the sprouts will die. Advertisement.
How long does it take for grass seed to germinate?
Grass seeds typically germinate in 14 to 30 days, advises the University of California. Warm-season weeds slow down and provide less competition for water and nutrients meant for germinating grass seeds. Many diseases are less active as well, and autumn temperatures and rainfall encourage faster germination .
What factors affect the speed of germination of Kentucky bluegrass?
Other Factors and Considerations. Many other genetic, environmental and cultural factors can impact the speed of Kentucky bluegrass germination, whether a variety is considered relatively fast or slow. The following are just a few of those factors that affect germination : Advertisement. Age of the seed.
Is grass drought tolerant?
The grass is not drought tolerant and may struggle in hot weather, so more frequent irrigation is recommended in the summer to prevent the grass from going dormant, advises the University of California. Germinating seeds need more frequent, light watering for constant moisture .
Can you give Kentucky bluegrass seed?
By giving your Kentucky bluegrass seed the best possible conditions, regardless of the varieties, you can help ensure your seed germinates as quickly as possible under the given conditions.
What happens to Kentucky bluegrass in the summer?
Excessive defoliation often leads to shallow rooting, an open sod, and weed invasion. These effects are particularly damaging to Kentucky bluegrass in a dry summer when it is less able to recover. Kentucky bluegrass productivity is increased substantially with proper pasture rotation and rest.
How does Kentucky bluegrass grow?
It spreads via rhizomes to form a dense sod and grows best during cool, moist weather on well-drained, fertile soils with a pH between 6 and 7 (Table 1). Although Kentucky bluegrass is found throughout the United States, it is most important agriculturally in the north central and northeastern regions and is best adapted to areas where the average daily temperature during July does not exceed 75°F. Warm summer temperatures are the most limiting environmental factor to Kentucky bluegrass production.
How does Kentucky bluegrass affect pasture?
The botanical composition of Kentucky bluegrass pastures changes over and within growing seasons depending on environmental conditions and grazing management. Under conditions of high temperatures, limited rain fall, or low soil fertility , the amount of Kentucky bluegrass in a pasture will decline, allowing undesirable weed species to invade. The ratio of Kentucky bluegrass and white clover in a pasture is strongly influenced by grazing management. As the amount of clover in the pasture declines, the pasture can be grazed more closely so that the grass competes less with the clover. If the amount of white clover in the pasture is too great, then allowing the pasture to reach a height of 8 to 12 inches will encourage the Kentucky bluegrass to compete better with the white clover. In addition, nitrogen fertilizer favors the Kentucky bluegrass component of the pasture and may be used to manipulate the clover to grass ratio.
What grasses are used in Kentucky bluegrass?
Tall-growing grasses such as orchardgrass, timothy, smooth bromegrass, or tall fescue also may be included in a pasture seeding mixture with Kentucky bluegrass where hay or silage harvests will be made each year before grazing begins.
What are the most common insects that damage Kentucky bluegrass?
Grubs cause the most serious damage to Kentucky bluegrass pastures. Adult Japanese beetle, May beetle, green June beetle, northern masked chafer, and European chafer lay eggs in thin, overgrazed bluegrass pastures, and the larvae then feed on bluegrass roots and rhizomes. Damage is most severe and recovery slowest during dry years. Controlling insects in Kentucky bluegrass pastures is most easily done through good grazing and fertility practices that maintain a healthy and vigorous grass stand.
What is the most important grass in Kentucky?
Most varieties of Kentucky bluegrass have been developed for use in lawns. Therefore, it is widely considered to be the most important lawn grass in the United States. Only three forage-type Kentucky bluegrass varieties, 'Park', 'Troy', and 'Ginger', have been released in the past 45 years.
How to determine lime and fertilizer for Kentucky bluegrass?
The lime and fertilizer needs of Kentucky bluegrass should be determined by soil testing. For best results, the soil pH should be between 6 and 7. If the soil test calls for large amounts of nutrients, they should be applied prior to seeding and incorporated into the seedbed.
What temperature does Kentucky bluegrass grow?
Seeding and Overseeding. Kentucky bluegrass germinates best when soil temperatures range between 50°F and 65°F. That typically corresponds to daytime air temperatures of 60°F to 75°F.
What is Kentucky bluegrass?
Kentucky Bluegrass at a Glance 1 Cool-season lawn grass. 2 Suitable for northern lawns from coast to coast. 3 Excellent winter hardiness. 4 Some varieties susceptible to heat and drought. 5 Limited shade tolerance. 6 Excellent capacity for self-repair. 7 Some varieties vulnerable to stress damage.
How high should a KBG mower be?
During periods of high heat and lower rainfall, increase KBG mowing heights to 3 to 4 inches. Never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mowing.
How to get KBG free from leaf cover?
Mulch or rake leaves so your KBG is free from leaf cover.
What to do when your lawn thaws?
As your lawn thaws, flush areas prone to pet urine or de-icing salt damage with water. This helps prepare KBG for fast spring repairs.
When to apply Pennington UltraGreen Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer III 30-0-4?
Prevent new weeds and feed your established KBG lawn in early spring with Pennington UltraGreen Crabgrass Preventer Plus Fertilizer III 30-0-4. Apply this preemergent before crabgrass starts germinating — that happens as soil temperatures hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not treat seeded or overseeded areas until at least 60 days after seeding.
Where did bluegrass originate?
The state of Kentucky lays claim to the nickname "Bluegrass State," but Kentucky bluegrass didn't originate there. 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 ...
What temperature does Kentucky bluegrass grow best?
Peak growth is reached when soil temperature hits 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the growth declines sharply once the 70-degree mark is breached.
What is Kentucky bluegrass?
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. In fact, it is considered by many to be the humble pasture grass that triggered America’s obsession with lawns.
What type of grass is Kentucky bluegrass?
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. Depending on where you grow it and who you ask, KBG is a medium to high maintenance grass.
What is Kentucky bluegrass scientific name?
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”.
How to identify Kentucky bluegrass?
You won’t have much trouble identifying KBG from other cool-season grasses partly because of the extraordinary dark green color of its blades.
Will Kentucky bluegrass choke out weeds?
An established KBG lawn will be dense enough to choke out weeds. 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.
How many Kentucky bluegrass varieties are there?
Well over 100 Kentucky bluegrass cultivars have been introduced in the market over the last two decades. Of these, a mere 3 were pasture varieties while the rest were all meant for lawn application.
Adapted Varieties
Establishment
- Very few fields in the Northeast are sown with Kentucky bluegrass seed. However, Kentucky bluegrass generally appears in these fields, coming from seed or rhizomes in the soil, particularly if the field was previously a pasture. Kentucky bluegrass should be planted at 10 to 14 pounds per acre in late summer or early fall when temperatures begin to ...
Harvest Or Grazing Management
- Under normal environmental conditions in Pennsylvania, Kentucky bluegrass achieves nearly 70 percent of its annual forage production by early June. Consequently, proper management during the early growing season is essential to maximize production potential. Because Kentucky bluegrass grows to a shorter height than many other cool-season forage grasses, it is ideally sui…
Fertility Management
- The lime and fertilizer needs of Kentucky bluegrass should be determined by soil testing. For best results, the soil pH should be between 6 and 7. If the soil test calls for large amounts of nutrients, they should be applied prior to seeding and incorporated into the seedbed. Surface application of the recommended nutrients is equally beneficial if the Kentucky bluegrass is already established…
Pests
- Kentucky bluegrass is susceptible to many of the same diseases as other cool-season forage grasses. These diseases rarely affect plant persistence, but may reduce yield and quality. Grubs cause the most serious damage to Kentucky bluegrass pastures. Adult Japanese beetle, May beetle, green June beetle, northern masked chafer, and European chafer lay eggs in thin, overgra…