Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
What does it look like?
Kentucky bluegrass gets its name from its rich, blue-green color. The grass is medium- to fine-textured with canoe-shaped blade tips.
How does it grow?
Kentucky bluegrass has shallow roots, which spread below ground via tillers called rhizomes.
How does it rate for the average homeowner?
Kentucky bluegrass has shallow roots, which spread below ground via tillers called rhizomes.
In what kinds of climates / conditions does it flourish / languish?
Kentucky bluegrass flourishes in fall and spring when temperatures are cool and in the summer when temperatures are moderate but not too hot. Because of its shallow root system, you should note that it requires frequent irrigation during the summer. This grass prefers bright light and does not perform well in the shade, which makes it susceptible to powdery mildew. It will grow well in most soils, apart from those that are consistently wet.
Does this kind of grass mix well with other grasses?
Kentucky bluegrass mixes well with Perennial ryegrass and fine-leafed fescues.
Unique qualities:
- More than 200 varieties
- Most popular choice for lawns
- Low-maintenance
- Can recover from traffic
- Goes dormant in summer if not irrigated
- Susceptible to fungal diseases
- Develops thatch
- Slow to establish from seed (14-21 days to sprout)
Recommended grass height, fertilizer rate, amount of water:
- Mowing ranges between 1.5-4.0 inches. Grass does well at a 3-4 inch mowing height. Do not mow below 1 inch.
- Fertilize with 3-4 lbs total Nitrogen applied per 1,000 square feet annually.
- Water 1-2 inches per week during summer months to keep actively growing.
