Planting Kentucky Bluegrass

One species of grass that is native to Northern Asia, the mountains of Algeria and Morocco, and most of Europe is Kentucky bluegrass. This kind of grass has become more popular and common in some areas of the United States that are humid and cool. Kentucky bluegrass was transplanted to the United States by the European colonists, who brought along mixtures of grass seed. This type of grass flourished in the area of New England where it was introduced and now you can find it in the other areas of the United States.

In the United States, Kentucky bluegrass is very recognizable due to its boat shaped blade tips. The normal growth of Kentucky blue grass is one and one-half to two feet high, but it varies with the season. The growth of this type of grass is triggered by how long the days are, rather than the temperature.

Before you begin planting Kentucky bluegrass, you need to know that it will take about two to three pounds of seed for each 1,000 square feet of land. You can sow this seed any time during the year, but it will grow better if it is planted in the fall or spring. After you plant the seeds, you need to water it a least twice daily for the first two weeks and if it is extremely warm, then you may need to water it three times a day until it takes root. Once you begin seeing sprouts, you can cut back on the watering regimen.

When you compare Kentucky blue grass to other types of grass, you will learn that Kentucky bluegrass needs as much as two inches of water each week to stay healthy. By watering the Kentucky bluegrass abundantly, you will find that the grass will stay bright and green even during the summer. It is important, however, to water the grass no less than an inch to help make the roots grow deeper and stronger. If you are having a drought, and your grass does dormant, then it will only need about an inch of water every two weeks or so. This amount of watering will help keep the grass crowns alive so that when it rains, the grass will liven up quicker.

Another thing that you need to know about Kentucky bluegrass is that it requires a large amount of Nitrogen. During the first year of the trees life, it will need five or six pounds for the tree to grow strong and tall. You can probably cut back the amount of Nitrogen needed by half after the first year. It is best to use some kind of slow release nitrogen source so that you do not burn the tree and so it is more convenient for you. You will find that it can be applied very liberally in this way and not as frequently, which can save you time and effort.

One of the down sides of Kentucky bluegrass is that it is very susceptible to pests, both crawling and growing. You may also encounter a large weed problem with this type of grass, too. The weeds most common to Kentucky bluegrass include crabgrass, clover, and dandelions. These weeds are usually easily controlled with herbicides that work before the weeds appear. There are also several insects who love to nibble on Kentucky bluegrass. These include white grubs, billbugs, and sod webworms. You need to watch for the insects becoming a problem and apply pesticides when needed. You may also find that the Bluegrass is susceptible to disease. You can prevent disease by adding a strain of Bluegrass that has resistance to disease. If you have alkaline soil, then you can find that your Kentucky bluegrass develops iron chlorosis, which is seen by yellowing in the veins of the grass.

You will find that Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular and common types of grass in the whole United States. It is easily recognizable and, if a few simple rules are followed, it is easy to plant and maintain. If you follow the tips above, you will be enjoying your beautiful Kentucky bluegrass in no time.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on the subject for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com A website with tips on gardening at John Deere tractors

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