Kentucky blue grass is the turf grass species most wide used in the northern one-half of the U.S. It produces a dark-skinned - green , medium textured , impenetrable greensward and spread by underground rhizomes that can self - hangout damaged spots .
A cool season sward pasturage , Kentucky bluegrass can go dormant in raging summer without passable irrigation , and is susceptible to disease and weeds . It prefers full sun but endure some shade ; it does not tolerate saltiness spray . Some experts recommend a salmagundi of 15 percent perennial ryegrass and 85 percent Kentucky blue for a more disease - resistant and heat - tolerant turf .
A Kentucky bluegrass lawn can be established from sodomist or seed sown in the fall at two to three pounds per 1,000 square feet . Kentucky blue grass needs a well - drain , moist , fertile filth with a pH between 6 and 7.Watering
Because of its shallow ancestor system Kentucky bluegrass take frequent watering ( 1 ½ inch per calendar week in hot weather ) to remain green in the summertime . A bluegrass lawn needs water when the blade get a bluish casting or when walk across the lawn allow for footprint . It will survive drought by turning brown .
Mowing Kentucky Blue Grass
Mow no more than 1/3 of the sword height at a metre , to a pinnacle of 1 ½ to 3 column inch . mow too low encourages sens . High lawn mower give way deeper rooting and greater heat and drought tolerance .
fertilize Kentucky Blue Grass
A soil test is the only style to hump for sure what type of fertilizer and amendments the soil necessitate before planting . Kentucky Bluegrass needs well - prepared , well - drain soil . constituent matter ( for example rotted manure or compost ) applied before planting at a rate of three to six cubic twelvemonth per 1,000 satisfying ft and till to 8 - 10 inches better the structure and rankness of the grease .
During active development Kentucky bluegrass needs four to six pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet .
Want to Learn More About Growing Kentucky Bluegrass ?
touch your local ejaculate sellers or extension service to find out the best varieties of Kentucky bluegrass for your location .
Most extension services also supply cheap soil text kit . Go toThe National Institute of Food and Agriculture homepageto find the lengthiness office nearest you .
The follow websites have good information about growing a Kentucky bluegrass lawn :
Kentucky Bluegrass , Texas Cooperative Extension .
The UCGuide to Healthy Lawns : Kentucky bluegrass .
Here ’s a .pdf filing cabinet entitledKentucky Bluegrass Lawnsvia Kansas State University .
And of course , who can forget Bill Murray and Chevy Chase ’s discussion about bluegrass from the ComedyCaddyshack ?
