Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is widely considered one of the loveliest of all turfgrasses. This deep green, cool-season grass has a fine to medium texture made up of slim blades that come to a distinctive, rounded, and cupped tip, much like the prow of a boat. Lush and dense, the grass is soft underfoot yet tolerates foot traffic and is resistant to dog urine, making it a good option for a pet-friendly lawn. Although slow to germinate, Kentucky bluegrass spreads rapidly and recovers from stress well due to its vigorous root system of shallow rhizomes.
The name Kentucky “bluegrass” refers to the delicate, periwinkle blue flowers that form when the grass grows to its full height of two to three feet. Though widely grown throughout Kentucky and more cold-hardy than other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass lawns are grown throughout the northern half of the U.S. and well into transition regions.
Kentucky bluegrass’s beauty, texture, and resiliency are highly prized, with many considering it the ideal lawn. Maintaining these qualities requires a bit more care than for other turfgrasses, though it is well worth the extra effort. Let’s explore the Kentucky bluegrass care required to enjoy a gorgeous lawn.
How To Plant Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass lawns are planted either by seed or sod. Kentucky bluegrass seed is slow to germinate and requires more work to prepare the soil and hand weed as the lawn slowly fills in. To plant a new lawn, you’ll need three to four pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet, or two pounds per 1,000 square feet, to overseed an existing lawn. Laying sod is far more expensive upfront but requires less work and delivers an instant lawn.
Pick the Best Time to Plant Kentucky Bluegrass
Like any cool-season turfgrass, Kentucky bluegrass seed should be sown in the fall. If you’re laying sod, early fall is best when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65°F and air temperatures range between 60 and 75°F, and there are fewer weeds. Springtime, within the same temperature ranges, also works well.
Prepare the Soil
Always test the soil pH and nutrient levels before planting Kentucky bluegrass seeds or sod. Adjust if necessary to reach a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Till to a depth of four to six inches for seed and two inches for sod. Amend with topsoil, compost, or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and structure. Rake well, removing clumps, rocks, and old roots, then level the surface. Apply a starter fertilizer, then water the soil well before sowing the seeds or laying sod.
- Soil Testing: Always test the soil pH and nutrient levels before planting Kentucky bluegrass seeds or sod. Adjust if necessary to reach a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Tilling: Till to a depth of four to six inches for seed and two inches for sod.
- Amending the Soil: Amend with topsoil, compost, or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and structure.
- Clearing and Leveling: Rake well, removing clumps, rocks, and old roots, then level the surface.
- Fertilizing and Watering: Apply a starter fertilizer, then water the soil well before sowing the seeds or laying sod.
Spread Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Evenly
When seeding a new Kentucky bluegrass lawn, even seeding is crucial for achieving lush, even growth:
- Choose Your Tool: A handheld broadcast spreader is adequate for a small space, while rotary or drop spreaders ensure more even coverage on larger lawns.
- Calibrate the Spreader. You’ll need to distribute three to four pounds of Kentucky bluegrass seed per 1,000 square feet.
- Divide the Seed. Divide your quality seed into two equal measures.
- First Pass: Walk slowly, spreading one-half of the seed in parallel lines, traveling in an east-west direction, slightly overlapping each path.
- Second Pass: Perpendicular to your original paths, walk slowly, spreading the balance of the seed in a north-south direction, again slightly overlapping each path. This crisscross pattern ensures you will have no bare spots and the seed is spread evenly.
- Rake Lightly: This essential step ensures good contact between seeds and soil.
- Water Gently: Water lightly to avoid washing the seeds away. Continue light, frequent watering until the seeds fully sprout, then gradually reduce watering.
Sown grass seeds are busy little things. Learn the grass seed’s lifecycle to better understand the care required.
Overseed Your Existing Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn
Periodically, an existing lawn requires overseeding to combat wear and tear, rejuvenate the lawn, or enhance its appearance. For best results when overseeding a Kentucky Bluegrass lawn, first mow it very short, about half its normal height, and collect the grass clippings. Next, aerate the lawn to improve the soil structure, reduce thatch, enhance soil-to-seed contact, and encourage root development.
When overseeding a Kentucky bluegrass lawn, use two pounds of seed for a 1,000-square-foot area. Then, follow the directions above for seeding the lawn.
Maintaining a Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn
Once you have planted Kentucky bluegrass and the lawn is well-established, following these basic lawn care procedures will help to keep it lush and lovely.
Mowing Height Recommendations
Mow Kentucky bluegrass when the lawn is dry. In spring and fall, mow to a height of two and a half to three inches, always following the one-third mowing rule. In summer, let the grass grow a bit longer — three to three and a half inches — the longer grass blades better shade the turfgrass crowns, helping it to withstand the summer heat.
Watering Techniques
In spring and fall, Kentucky bluegrass typically stays lush and green with one to one and a half inches of water per week between rainfall and irrigation. Watering should be deep and infrequent to encourage deep root growth, which helps the grass survive periods of drought and heat. Kentucky bluegrass can go dormant during hot summer months and turn brown if not adequately watered. You may need to increase the water to about two inches per week, but manage this carefully to avoid overwatering and potential fungal issues. Our watering tips will help!
Fertilizing Schedule For Different Seasons
How much you fertilize your Kentucky bluegrass lawn affects its color and durability. With less fertilizer, the grass sustains more damage from wear and tear and will grow brown in the summer. For the greenest lawn that tolerates foot traffic well, aim to provide three to five pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 feet of lawn per year, according to the following schedule:
Fertilize every six to eight weeks with the following amounts of nitrogen per square 1,000 feet of lawn:
- Early spring: 0.5 pounds
- Late spring: 0.5 - 1 pound
- Summer: .05 - 1 pound
- Early Autumn: 1 - 2 pounds
- Late Autumn: 1 - 2 pounds
Why Lawn Pride Is Your Trusted Partner for Kentucky Bluegrass Care
The grass experts at Lawn Pride® are happy to provide expert advice to help you keep your Kentucky bluegrass lawn lush and healthy. If you’ve got a question, feel free to contact us. But sometimes what you need isn’t advice, but someone to take over the work for you. Trust Lawn Pride to handle the chores while you collect the compliments that will soon come rolling in! We’re confident you’ll enjoy our comprehensive lawn care services because the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ backs everything we do.
Since 1983, we have created and maintained healthy, gorgeous lawns across the United States. Are you ready to enjoy the most beautiful lawn in the neighborhood? Request a free estimate and let Lawn Pride take care of the rest.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not apply to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.