The Top Five Fertilizers for Kentucky Bluegrass Grass
| Parameter | Simple Lawn Solution | Miracle-Gro | Medina | Safer Brand |
| N-P2O5-K2O | 16-4-8 | 36-0-6 | 12-4-8 | 9-0-2 |
| Available sizes | 3 lbs | 5 lbs | 8.5 lbs | 25 lbs |
| Naturality | Organic | Organic | Organic | Organic |
| Coverage (per lbs) | 3200 sq ft | 7200 sq ft | 12,000 sq ft | 6,250 sq ft |
What is the best grass seed for Kentucky?
- Coverage area: 7 pounds of seed for 2,800 square feet (for adding to existing lawn), 930 square feet (for new lawn coverage)
- Grass types: Fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass mix
- Conditions: Sun and shade, medium to high drought resistance
What is the best fertilizer brand?
Best Overall Fertilizer: Miracle-Gro Water-Soluble All Purpose Plant Food. Miracle-Gro is a well-known and trusted brand among gardeners, and its All Purpose Plant Food is a versatile and wallet-friendly mineral fertilizer that you can use on vegetables, trees, houseplants, and more.
What is the best vegetable fertilizer?
Fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium usually works best. These are the most important nutrients your vegetables need to grow. Look for packaged fertilizer labeled with “NPK” to ensure it has all three.
What is the Best Bluegrass seed?
- The elite 4 in 1 WaterSmart PLUS layer soak up more water and nutrients and safeguards against diseases
- This seed mix is best for full sunlight and shade.
- This is a great grass option for heavy wear and tear areas
See more
What helps Kentucky bluegrass spread?
Because it spreads naturally, Kentucky Bluegrass resists weeds, repairs itself, and forms a lush lawn. To encourage your Bluegrass lawn to spread quickly, apply nitrogen fertilizer regularly throughout the growing season, provide 1–2 inches of water per week, and practice proper mowing methods.
How often should you fertilize bluegrass?
Wait until the lawn is actively growing, and fertilize every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season, or when the lawn is looking yellow, growing slowly, and becoming susceptible to weeds such as clover.
How do you green up Kentucky bluegrass?
Applying 1/8 pounds per 1,000 of Ammonium Sulfate with warmer temperatures will help wake the turf up and start the green-up process. Jointly applying Ammonium Sulfate with a slow-release fertilizer such as a 46-0-0 fertilizer, gives the turf a steady spoon-feeding.
How do I grow Kentucky bluegrass thicker?
Wise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. A typical KBG lawn needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall during normal weather. During periods of high heat and lower rainfall, increase KBG mowing heights to 3 to 4 inches.
How do you feed Kentucky bluegrass?
Apply a balanced fertilizer (such as 12-12-12) at the recommended rate. The most important application of the year for root development. Apply high nitrogen fertilizer (such as 32-3-8) at 1 times the recommended rate. Use partial slow-release nitrogen if possible.
Is triple 12 fertilizer good for lawns?
So a bag of 12-12-12 will have 12 percent nitrogen, 12 percent phosphate, and 12 percent potassium, these are the major nutrients that your lawn needs.
Why is my Kentucky bluegrass turning yellow?
Summer yellowing of Kentucky bluegrass is due to iron chlorosis, which is a lack of iron in plants but not necessarily a lack of iron in the soil. In the Great Plains, soil pH tends to be alkaline which makes iron less readily available for plant uptake.
How do you wake up Kentucky bluegrass?
Spring green-up of some varieties of Kentucky bluegrass and all bentgrasses have been slow to break winter dormancy this year. The warming weather should ignite some more growth soon. For now, use water-soluble nitrogen to help break dormancy. Turf will resume active growth once those soil temperatures get past 60F.
What is the best height to mow Kentucky bluegrass?
2.5 to 3 inchesKentucky bluegrass lawns should be mowed at the height of 2.5 to 3 inches in spring and fall. Set the mower blade to a height of 3 to 3.5 inches during summer. As a general rule, never remove more than one-third of the total leaf surface at any one mowing.
Do you Dethatch Kentucky bluegrass?
Kentucky bluegrass should be dethatched in the spring (April) or fall (Sept.) when it is actively growing and never in the summer. Zoysiagrass, on the other hand, should be dethatched in the summer when it is actively growing.
Can you over water Kentucky bluegrass?
Cool-season grasses, such as perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, need watering every four or five days. Too much water interferes with healthy grass growth and makes the lawn susceptible to pests and diseases.
What fertilizer should I use for bluegrass seedlings?
When planting your new bluegrass seed lawn make sure to select a "starter" fertilizer, or an organic, "slow-release" fertilizer. Do not use "weed & feed" fertilizers intended for use on established lawns, as these include weed preventing chemicals in combination with the fertilizer that can severely damage or kill new seedlings.
What nutrients are needed for a bluegrass lawn in Kentucky?
However, Kentucky bluegrass lawns, as with any grass lawn, require three especially important nutrients—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) —in larger quantities than are readily available in most soils. Lawn fertilizers are formulated to provide these nutrients at higher levels than are typically available naturally within most soils.
What fertilizer should I use for my lawn?
Instead, use either a more traditional type fertilizer, or an organic, slow-release fertilizer such as an 18-1-8 formulation which is better suited for an existing lawn. Use your seed spreader to apply the fertilizer in two directions.
What are the numbers on fertilizer bags?
These numbers are the percentages of these nutrients in the fertilizer and are separated by dashes, such as 4-6-4 (or N-P-K). In the example of a 4-6-4 (totaling 14%), ...
Why fertilize bluegrass?
Fertilizing at the right time of year is necessary for adding supplemental nutrients to help your grass maintain its optimum health and beauty after it is established. Most of the nutrients your bluegrass seed needs are already supplied to the roots of your grass in small, trace amounts through natural occurring soil processes.
How deep should I put fertilizer in my lawn?
Then incorporate it into the topsoil, either manually with a rake and shovel, or mechanically with the use of a tiller. Do not work the fertilizer deeper than 4" into the topsoil.
What percentage of fertilizer is made up of filler material?
In the example of a 4-6-4 (totaling 14%), the remaining 86% of the fertilizer is made up of filler material (and sometimes other trace ingredients such as calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) meant to give you the bulk needed to spread the fertilizer evenly over your yard.
What is the purpose of fertilizer in Kentucky?
Fertilizer provides supplemental nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil, elements that a lawn needs in abundance in order to grow steadily. Important Note: If you are planting a new lawn from Kentucky Bluegrass seed, please see our separate guide on fertilizing a lawn planted from grass seed . To make your fertilizer applications as ...
Which element is most important for grass growth?
Nitrogen is the most needed element because it influences grass growth and color. Phosphorus is most important for newly established lawns, and becomes less important later on. Potassium is needed more often than phosophorus is, but less often than nitrogen is. Potassium increases the lawn’s tolerance for stress. Have a soil test done.
How to spread fertilizer evenly?
A drop spreader or rotary spreader can help you to distribute the fertilizer evenly. Put the spreader on the lowest setting, and , taking half of the total fertilizer, spread it across the lawn in a horizontal direction. Then take the other half of the fertilizer and spread it across the lawn in a vertical direction.
What are the three numbers in fertilizer?
Every bag of complete fertilizer will contain 3 numbers that refer to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, in that order. Nitrogen is the most needed element because it influences grass growth and color.
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.
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.
Why does KBG need dethatching?
Because of its spreading growth, KBG develops thatch easily. Excess thatch amplifies drought stress and increases risks of brown patch and other lawn diseases. Depending on your mowing and lawn care practices, your KBG lawn may need dethatching every year or two. Fall aeration helps reduce soil compaction.
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 does bluegrass grass come from?
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 the state's gently rolling hills. Often referred to in the grass industry by the initials KBG, Kentucky bluegrass rose to become a premier lawn grass throughout much of the country.
Is KBG grass good for bare feet?
Add its medium to fine texture, and a KBG lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet. As with other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass growth slows significantly during hot summer months. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant.
Is Kentucky bluegrass irrigated?
It's not uncommon to find heavily irrigated Kentucky bluegrass growing in the sun-baked lawns of the West and Southwest. Premium, water-conserving seed products such as Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed and Fertilizer Mix can add to your lawn's resilience.
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 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 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.
What causes bluegrass to decline in Kentucky?
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.
How tall should I put white clover in my pasture?
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.
How much clover should I plant in Kentucky?
Kentucky bluegrass's nitrogen requirements and low summer production make it ideal for seeding with a legume such as white clover at 4 pounds per acre, red clover at 6 pounds per acre, or birdsfoot trefoil at 8 pounds per a cre.
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.
Mowing
Kentucky bluegrass tolerates being mowed as short as 2 to 2.5 inches, although it still benefits from being kept longer ( 3 inches in spring and fall, 4 inches in summer ). In the spring, you can start mowing as soon as the grass grows again.
Weeding
If your bluegrass lawn is healthy, then it will grow thick enough to prevent most weeds from germinating. When weeds do sneak through, hand pull weeds. This manual effort is still the most effective method for many weeds.
Fertilising
Bluegrass requires more nitrogen than grasses like perennial ryegrass and fescues, but you can still use natural methods. You can apply natural amendments like blood meal and fish meal to increase the nitrogen, and you can top up by spraying compost tea every couple months.
Watering
Bluegrass requires at least 1 inch of water per week (whether from irrigation or rain) in the spring and fall, while in the summer it needs at least 2 inches or more to keep from going dormant. If your lawn goes dormant, water it only a couple inches per month, and it’ll bounce back when temperatures cool.
Aerating
Bluegrass likes well-drained soil, so if you notice your bluegrass struggling, check for compaction. Core aerate before overseeding to relieve compaction. When seeding, you can either core aerate or rototill.
Dethatching
Because of its rhizomatous spread, Kentucky bluegrass has thatch problems. If thatch builds up more than a 1/2 inch, then you’ll need to dethatch. For light cases of thatch (under 1 inch), you can remove a short enough thatch with a rake.
Where does Kentucky bluegrass grow best?
Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass for climates with mild summers and cold winters. It prefers a well-draining clay-loam soil that is slightly acidic. It also requires a lot of water and full sun, so it grows best in places with abundant rainfall and sunny days.
How much water should I give my Kentucky bluegrass lawn?
Kentucky Bluegrass lawns need 1 inch of water per week and at least 2 inches during periods of high heat. If you do not have rain to naturally water your lawn, use a sprinkler in the morning. Sprinkling in the morning ensures the water has time to dry before the high heat of the mid-afternoon when the grass can burn.
When should I plant Kentucky bluegrass?
The best time to seed your lawn for Kentucky Bluegrass is in the fall when temperatures begin to cool. KBG can also be grown from sod. Place sod in the fall to give roots time to develop and take hold in the soil.
What is the pH level of KBG?
Fertilizing. Lawns with Kentucky Bluegrass turf often need more fertilizer than lawns with other turf types. The optimal pH level of KBG is 5.8 - 7. If your soil is too acidic, it may need a lime treatment to make the soil more alkaline. Iron deficient KBG lawns often lose their vibrant green color.
What is the most common turf type in the Northern United States?
Synonymous with the beautiful hills of Kentucky, Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the most common turf types in the Northern United States. Homeowners love this turf because it holds up well to winter weather, is lush and thick, and recuperates quickly after being damaged.
What is the best treatment for white grubs?
Insecticides labeled for use on turf will control infestations while milky spore is the treatment of choice for white grubs. Our lawn care guides cover the various pests, weeds, and diseases found in turf. Kentucky Bluegrass is a popular turf type across the northern United States for a reason.
How high should I mow Kentucky bluegrass?
Mowing. Kentucky Bluegrass does best when mowed to 2 to 2.5 inches high during normal growing times and 3-4 inches during periods of limited rainfall and high heat (drought).
What diseases are common in Kentucky bluegrass?
Certain fungal diseases are more commonly found in Kentucky Bluegrass, including leaf spot, rust, brown patch, dollar spot, powdery mildew, and blights. Fungicides can often be used in both preventative and curative applications. Read our guide on fungicides to learn more.
How much water does Kentucky Bluegrass need?
With Kentucky bluegrass, you would have to supply 1.5 to 2 inches of water even in normal weather conditions. The irrigation requirement goes up in summer for all grasses. But, once again KBG demands nearly 2.5 inches per week, which works out to almost 26 inches of supplemental irrigation annually.
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 is KBG used for?
KBG is extensively used for creating lawns in yards, parks, and gardens as well as on heavily used turfs such as golf fairways, ball fields, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Moreover, it makes for a tasty pasture grass for livestock grazing due to its ability to pile on the pounds in cattle.
What is KBG grass?
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. It has one of the longest germination times of all cool-season grasses.
Why is KBG grass always in need of a drink?
This grass is always in need of a drink because its shallow root system does a poor job of holding on to moisture. Plus, the root system is simply not equipped to dig deeper into the soil layers to access the stored moisture there.
How long does it take for KBG seeds to germinate?
It takes 14 to 21 days for the slow-starter KBG seeds to germinate. This means that it will be a good 3-4 weeks after planting before you see the green shade making an appearance. How fast the spread is from thereon will be based on the number of seeds broadcasted.
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.
