Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season variety that does well in both the Mountains and Piedmont regions of North Carolina. This type of grass is low-growing and tough, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas. It also can grow fairly well in shady areas, and can withstand mild heat. Tall Fescue can also grow in all three regions.
Can you grow Kentucky bluegrass in Raleigh NC?
Generally Kentucky bluegrass cultivars are susceptible to summer patch when grown in Raleigh, which can be difficult to manage without the use of fungicides. Like brown patch in tall fescue, it is generally summer patch that reduces the quality of Kentucky bluegrass.
Does Kentucky bluegrass grow from seed?
Kentucky bluegrass blades have distinctive, boat-like tips. Kentucky bluegrass establishes easily from seed, but it germinates more slowly than some other cool-season grasses. Fast-growing perennial ryegrass, for example, germinates in one-third the time of KBG.
Does Kentucky bluegrass come back every year?
Kentucky bluegrass is what's known as a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. This means it comes back year after year and grows most vigorously during the cool seasons of fall and spring. KBG has the greatest cold hardiness of all the common cool-season lawn grasses.3 It's used most extensively in northern climates...
What kind of grass grows in North Carolina?
Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues-such as creeping red, chewings, and hard-are cool-season perennial grasses used for lawns, mostly in the mountain and piedmont regions of North Carolina.
Does Kentucky bluegrass grow in NC?
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is the second most widely grown cool-season species in North Carolina because it has a dark green color, a medium to fine texture, and, due to its aggressive rhizome system, can recover from stresses. It prefers fertile, well-limed soils and full sun to moderate shade.
What is the easiest grass to grow in NC?
Kentucky Bluegrass And because it grows rapidly during the cool season, it is the best grass seed to grow in the mountainous regions of North Carolina. Unlike perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass establishes itself with short roots that don't make it very heat- and drought-resistant.
What temperature does Kentucky bluegrass stop growing?
80°F.Root growth of Kentucky bluegrass peaks at soil temperatures of 60°F and declines sharply as temperatures rise above 70°F. Root growth practically ceases at temperatures above 80°F. High nitrogen fertilization and close, frequent mowing greatly decrease root growth in Kentucky bluegrass.
Can Kentucky bluegrass tolerate heat?
Kentucky bluegrasses and tall fescues are cool-season turfgrasses known to be tolerant to heat (7), and, as expected, the Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue entries in our study were tolerant to the long period of heat stress.
What grass stays green year round in North Carolina?
Tall fescue is best adapted to the mountains and piedmont but can be successfully maintained on the heavy silt loams in the coastal plain. It is a reliable performer and easily started from seed. It is the best grass to plant if you want a year-round green lawn. Tall fescue thrives in sun or medium shade.
What is the difference between Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue?
Both tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass have dark green blades but while tall fescue has thin, coarse, broad blades, the blades of Kentucky bluegrass are thin and relatively fine. Many people would describe the touch of a tall fescue lawn as “rough” or scratchy” while a Kentucky bluegrass lawn is undeniably soft.
Will Kentucky bluegrass choke out weeds?
It can't choke out weeds if the weeds are growing, but as a KBG lawn gets thicker and thicker, it makes it much harder for weeds and weed seeds to get a foothold.
Where does Kentucky bluegrass grow best?
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.
Is Kentucky bluegrass hard to grow?
The best part about Kentucky bluegrass cultivars is that they're easy to plant, grow, and manage. If you follow the specific planting, mowing, and fertilizing guidelines for Kentucky bluegrass, you're sure to have a thriving, attractive lawn.
Does Kentucky bluegrass turn brown in winter?
Even grass that is supposed to stay green year round can have a brown day. Cool season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass can turn brown when the temperature gets too high or when it's under drought stress. Again, this browning is a self-defense mechanism.
What kills Kentucky bluegrass?
Spray Kentucky Bluegrass with an herbicide such as glyphosate, which will not leave harmful residue in the soil that can then leach into the water supply. For best results, spray it in the morning on a sunny day when there is no threat of rain.
How long does Kentucky bluegrass take to grow?
Kentucky Bluegrass: Slow to Seed, Quick to Spread In comparison, many varieties of Fescue and Ryegrass begin to sprout within a week. Kentucky Bluegrass seed sprouts in 14 days. Fescue and Ryegrass typically sprout in 5–10 days. Once sprouted, Kentucky Bluegrass spreads to fill a lawn much faster than other grasses.
The Western Mountain Region
The Western tail of the state is known as the Mountain region, home to the Appalachian Mountains. This part of the state has the highest mountain range this side of the Mississippi, so your grass needs to be able to endure colder temperatures.
The Central Piedmont Region
North Carolina’s Piedmont region is the largest out of the three. This area consists of low rolling hills set on top of a wide plateau. Temperatures are somewhat mild and very humid, so the grass you choose will need to do well in a high-moisture environment. The best grasses for this include both cool-season and warm-season types.
The Eastern Coastal Plain Region
Below are the four best grass types for the Coastal Plan region. It’s somewhat difficult to grow a lawn near the ocean because of the soil and climate, so the choices are limited compared to the Piedmont.
Tending to Your North Carolina Grass
Choosing an appropriate grass species and taking good care of it is a fine art. You need to think about maintenance like mowing, water levels, fertilization, aeration, and so on to keep your North Carolina grass happy and healthy year-round.
Where is Kentucky bluegrass native to?
Kentucky bluegrass is native to practically all of Europe, northern Asia and the mountains of Algeria and Morocco. Although the species is spread over all of the cool, humid parts of the U.S., it is not native to North America.
How tall does Kentucky bluegrass grow?
Description. Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis) grows 18 to 24 inches tall and is readily identified by its boat-shaped leaf tip. It spreads by rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense sod. New shoots (rhizomes and tillers) are produced primarily in the spring and late summer.
How much water does bluegrass need?
Compared to the warm season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass has a high water requirement. As much as 2 inches of water per week are needed to keep bluegrass green and growing during summer months in the transition zone. Ideally this amount of water would be applied in one day to wet the entire rootzone of the turf.
How much bluegrass should I plant per sq ft?
Where bluegrass is established from seed, plant 2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn. Lower seeding rates require much longer to develop a cover, particularly where seed are broadcast over the soil surface. Where seed are drilled into the top inch of soil, lower seeding rates can be used.
How long does it take for bluegrass to grow?
The length of time between the appearance of new leaves on Kentucky bluegrass ranges from about 10 days in the spring to 22 days in the summer and fall.
What are the characteristics of a warm season grass?
Both of these traits, leaf blade length and leaf angle, are also typical of warm season grasses. Leaf length responds to daylength and peaks in summer, then becomes progressively shorter in late summer and fall. In Kentucky bluegrass, some shoots turn downward and develop into rhizomes beneath the soil.
Where do bluegrass rhizomes grow?
In Kentucky bluegrass, some shoots turn downward and develop into rhizomes beneath the soil. These rhizomes appear from the axils of leaves, the base of which may be above or just below the surface of the soil. Most rhizomes, however, develop beneath the soil surface as branch shoots of other rhizomes.
Why do turfgrass seed companies use national tests?
They can then use the national tests to see how their best entries performs across multiple environments compared to other germplasm. This is good for consumers since they have a greater assurance that the turfgrass seed they are purchasing is going to perform similarly to other high ranking cultivars.
Can you blend two grasses together?
The combination of grasses is often recommended since there is no one grass that will perform well under all conditions.
Is tall fescue bluegrass in North Carolina?
A great number of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass cultivars tested in North Carolina provide excellent performance based on cultivar trials. These trials include standard cultivars that are well-known in the industry, newly released cultivars, and “not-yet-named-cultivars” that are still in experimental stages of testing.
Is Kentucky bluegrass susceptible to summer patch?
Generally Kentucky bluegrass cultivars are susceptible to summer patch when grown in Raleigh, which can be difficult to manage without the use of fungicides. Like brown patch in tall fescue, it is generally summer patch that reduces the quality of Kentucky bluegrass.
Can tall fescue be resistant to brown patches?
If that was the case, they were only referenced to the most recent trial. None of the tall fescue cultivars in our tests have been completely resistant to brown patch (Rhizoctonia spp.).
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.
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.
Does Pennington grow grass?
Pennington is committed to growing the finest grass seed possible and providing you with premium lawn and garden products to help you and your lawn grow. With Pennington, you can count on better research, better seed and better results — guaranteed. Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions.
How to grow Kentucky bluegrass?
To establish Kentucky bluegrass seeds, prepare a firm, smooth seedbed and buy high-quality seed. Kentucky bluegrass likes well-drained soil. If you do have disturbed areas, use soil amendments to fortify the seedbed. Once you aerate and seed, cover with soil no deeper than one-fourth to one-half of an inch.
What is the best soil pH for Kentucky bluegrass?
The optimal soil pH for Kentucky bluegrass cultivation is 6.0 to 7.0. Traditional Kentucky bluegrass thrives in full sun, but it does perform moderately well in partially shaded areas. Sprouted blades of Kentucky bluegrass are a lush, dark emerald green that has an almost blue hue to it. The fine texture of Kentucky bluegrass makes it a joy ...
What is the best grass for lawns?
Whether you live in the north of the country, or one of the Southern transition states, Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most common turfgrass for lawns. It’s the ideal cool-season grass for erosion control, it displays a hardy profile against drier summer climates, and its long, bluish-green hue makes it the perfect choice for beautification. ...
How much nitrogen should I use for Kentucky bluegrass?
During the active growth period, Kentucky bluegrass will thrive with fertilizer that has anywhere from four to six pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Apply organic matter such as rotted manure or compost tilled to eight to ten inches to improve soil structure and fertility.
How long does it take for grass to germinate?
Germination time takes anywhere between 21 to 28 days. Once blades of grass appear and begin growing in the spring, you want to water one to two-and-a-half inches weekly.
How deep should I plant fescue?
Plant at a depth of one-fourth to half-an-inch. Seed at a rate of three pounds per every 1,000 square feet and half that if you’re overseeding. Plan to fertilize in the months of September, November, and May (this variety typically requires more fertilizer than tall fescue types)
Does Kentucky bluegrass need moisture?
This added height will protect the root system from the sun. In case you experience a hot or dry summer, this will also help retain moisture . That’s useful for Kentucky bluegrass, which does have a tendency to turn brown and patchy in arid heat.
What kind of grass is used in North Carolina?
Cool-season Grasses. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues — such as creeping red, chewings, and hard — are cool-season perennial grasses used for lawns, mostly in the mountain and piedmont regions of North Carolina.
What grasses are in season in North Carolina?
Warm-season Grasses. Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, carpetgrass, and bahiagrass are classified as warm-season perennial grasses. All except bahiagrass are mostly recommended for lawns in the piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina.
Which grass is the least cold tolerant?
With proper maintenance, it will provide a dense, lush lawn. St. Augustinegrass is very shade and salt tolerant but is considered the least cold tolerant lawn grass. The cultivar Raleigh has the best cold tolerance and is well adapted for the eastern side of the piedmont and the western side of the coastal plain.
How long does it take for bluegrass to grow?
This may require light watering two or three times a day for 7 to 21 days. Bluegrass takes 7 to 14 days longer to germinate than other cool-season grasses. As the seedlings grow and root, water less often but for longer periods. For mixtures containing bluegrass, do not make the mistake of decreasing water as soon as the seedlings appear. Continue watering until the bluegrass seedlings emerge. After the third mowing, water to a depth of 6 to 8 inches about once a week or when needed.
When do grasses grow in the mountains?
They are better adapted to the mountains and piedmont. These grasses perform best in spring and fall and have a tendency to show signs of stress in the summer. This is especially true as you move toward the coastal plain.
Is Carolina a good lawn?
Lawns are smooth, living carpets that add beauty and recreational space to your home. The benefits of a healthy lawn go beyond the obvious. As your grass grows, it helps the environment by stabilizing soil and reducing air pollution, noise, heat, dust, and glare.
Is there a grass type that is best suited to all situations?
No one type of grass is best suited to all situations. A number of factors should be considered before deciding which lawn grass to plant. Your decision should be based on region, climate, intended use or wear at the site, and desired appearance. Find your region in the map in Figure 1.
What is the best grass seed for North Carolina?
The best grass seed for NC is (in our humble opinion) Pennington Smart Seed Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend. Since North Carolina has three regions with different soils and weather patterns, not all varieties will thrive in the three regions. However, this tall fescue blend has a hybrid mix of tall fescue seeds that are more resistant to heat and drought than common tall fescue seeds, making it a good choice for all three regions. Check out our list below for other great options for NC grasses.
What kind of soil does North Carolina have?
Growing Beautiful Lawns in North Carolina. If you live in the Coastal Plains of North Carolina, you likely have sandy soil. The Mountains usually have clay soil. This makes it tricky when learning how best to prepare your yard for growing grass in North Carolina.
How to spread grass seed?
For compacted soil, use a tiller to break it up and aerate it. This will help your grass seeds root, get water and nutrients, and spread. Use a rake to even out the area after you till. Your seeds will then be more evenly distributed and grow at even heights. Test the pH of your soil before you plant your seed.
What to do when preparing for new grass seed?
Fortunately, there are a few general points to remember when preparing your site for new grass seeds ( source ): If your area drains poorly, consider having a draining system professionally installed. If your lawn pools water, many types of grasses will become susceptible to disease from harbored bacteria.
Where does tall fescue grow?
Technically, tall fescue grows best in Piedmont and Mountains regions, since it tolerates some heat and doesn’t need much water.
What are the three regions of North Carolina?
The state is unique in that its regions all have different climates and soil properties. The regions include the Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plains. The Mountains region has cooler weather than the others, so a cool-season grass does best in this region. The Coastal Plains region is best ...
Can tall fescue grow in hot weather?
It also can grow fairly well in shady areas, and can withstand mild heat. Tall Fescue can also grow in all three regions. This variety has a high tolerance for cold weather and drought, and has a higher tolerance for heat than Kentucky bluegrass.
