The Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is amongst the well-known turf-grass lawns in Northern America. The most appropriate time to plant Kentucky bluegrass seeds is during the cool season when the soil temperatures are between 50-65 degrees. It was first introduced in North America by Europeans and is well known as a pasture grass for horses, cattle, and sheep. It is very attractive and lovely with a good texture of lawn grass that a lot of people are fond of. It forms a beautiful, classy sod when planted in pure sand.
Kentucky Bluegrass
There are a number of Kentucky bluegrass seed varieties available. Its color varies from bright green to bluish-green. It is also grown with other species of sod to make a lovely multi-purpose lawn.
Kentucky bluegrass seeds are commonly available in combination with other upgraded similar types for more adaptability. There are a number of its improved types on the market now. As mentioned before there are a number of Kentucky bluegrass available examples are America Kentucky bluegrass, Arcadia Kentucky bluegrass, Award Kentucky bluegrass, Barrister Kentucky bluegrass, Bedazzled Kentucky bluegrass, and Bewitched Kentucky bluegrass, Blue Velvet Kentucky bluegrass, to name a few.
Preparation
For the survival of any plant, you need to start with soil testing and the removal of all weeds in the right way. You need to know if the soil is appropriate for the type of bluegrass you want to grow. You might also need to fully cultivate the ground you will plant your sod or seeds.
The ground should be flat without any minor hills. For more data on planting your Kentucky bluegrass seeds, you can see this. You will need to fertilize it with Kinder Blend Fertilizer which should be always applied when putting down new seed at a level of 5 lbs per 1,000 sq, ft.
Blends of Kentucky bluegrass
As mentioned before most types of this Kentucky bluegrass seeds today are sold as “blends” of a number of other types of this type of grass. These blends help the grass to be able to resist a number of problems like shade, drought, heat, insects, and diseases.
Take for example if you have say 3 types of Kentucky grass seeds or maybe sod, you will evade problems like death which might attack one of them.
Examples of the types of blends include Marine Rough bluegrass which is shade tolerant, the Midnight Kentucky bluegrass which has the qualities that are preferred by turf-grass professionals, and also the Poa Supina Shade Grass, and many more.
Mixing Kentucky bluegrass
Mixing is a common tendency with Kentucky bluegrass seeds or sod especially with Perennial Ryegrass which can speed up the coverage of patches. The bluegrass and the Perennial rye are good together for athletic fields and playgrounds. The fine fescues grass can come in handy in areas where there is much shade which might affect the growth of the KBG. The most famous of these mixtures from amazon.com is the Mid America Classic, Mid America Super Shade, and the Seedland Bluemixes.
Overseeding
One thing to always bear in mind about Kentucky bluegrass is that it tends to develop thin spots over time so a process like overseeding will take care of that. When overseeding you also need to make a perfect firm seedbed for the seedlings. A tiller might be the best option when it comes to this. Another choice might be to use the rake to loosen the ground for better germination. Bluegrass.com is a site that covers all the steps to overseeding.
Kentucky bluegrass seeds come in a variety of brands. It is quite good for pastures and sports fields. It can be produced using sod or seed. It is the type of grass that requires a medium amount of lawn care. KBG tends to develop a good root system because of its fast-growing character to resist drought. To weed it you can use the Weed Popper by Fiskars. All in all, it is a very popular type of grass seed and that should tell you how recommended it is out there.
Summary
- Kentucky bluegrass seeds are of European origin.
- It is the type of grass that is good for pastures and sports fields.
- It grows well combined with other types of Kentucky bluegrass as well as other types of grass.
- It needs medium attendance and requires being overseeded.
- Additional Information
The success of a planted Kentucky bluegrass rests on how well the ground was prepared before its cultivation, the right application of starter fertilizer, and regular watering as the seedlings grow. As a result of its slower growth (1-2 months), that is why Perennial Ryegrass is incorporated with it.
This type of grass grows by roots and simultaneously sends its stems to develop its own root system. This tends to form a spaghetti pattern which makes it dense as it develops. This way there is little moisture lost, unlike more tall growing plants. Kentucky bluegrass has become one of the types of grass with numerous versions of lawn grass seeds.
- Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Mix continuously self-repairs to withstand wear and tear for a thick, durable lawn
- Kentucky Bluegrass seed mix designed for full sun and light shade, with a fine bladed texture and medium drought resistance
- Exclusive 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS Coating absorbs more water, feeds with essential nutrients and protects seedlings from disease
- Seeds up to 4,660 sq. ft.
- Not available in LA
Zone map of Kentucky Bluegrass
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a zone map that divides the country into different zones based on average annual minimum temperatures. This map, known as the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, is used by gardeners and landscapers to determine the suitable plant species for their specific area based on the average minimum winter temperature. The zones are classified into different categories, ranging from Zone 1 (coldest) to Zone 13 (warmest).
In terms of Kentucky Bluegrass, it is commonly recommended for growing in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 2 to 7. Zone 2 includes areas with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from -50 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 to -40 degrees Celsius), while Zone 7 includes areas with minimum temperatures ranging from 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -12 degrees Celsius).
It’s important to note that while Kentucky Bluegrass is well-adapted to these zones, it may still require proper care and maintenance, including adequate watering, fertilization, and mowing, to thrive in specific microclimates within these zones. Factors such as altitude, humidity, and soil conditions can also affect the performance of Kentucky Bluegrass, and consulting with a local lawn care professional or agronomist can provide tailored recommendations for growing Kentucky Bluegrass in a specific area.
Read More: Kentucky Bluegrass vs Tall Fescue
