Facts About Kentucky Bluegrass

The Kentucky blue grass originated in the northern parts of Asia and Europe and in the mountainous regions of Morocco and Algeria. It was brought to the US along with different seeds carried by colonists. This 18-24 inch tall grass spreads by means of tillers and rhizomes. The Kentucky blue grass can be easily recognized by its peculiar boat-shaped leaves. The grass completes its life cycle by producing an inflorescence as the seeds mature. A distinct characteristic of the Kentucky blue grass, is that the leaves are upright during the spring and summer season. The same leaves become decumbent at the end of summer. It happens due to the change in the length of the day.

Some Basic Kentucky Bluegrass Facts

• It remains green in color for about 10-12 days when in the growing phase. Unlike the bermuda grass which bears 5-7 green leaves per shoot, the Kentucky blue grass has 3-4 green leaves on every shoot.
• The leaf blade of Kentucky bluegrass reduces in length from the original 3-4 inch size during the period between early spring and late summer.
• Shoots of some of these plants turn into rhizomes as they enter and grow beneath the soil.
• The branching of the rhizomes of the grass may continue for many years.
• During the fall season, a large amount of carbohydrates get accumulated in the rhizomes of the Kentucky bluegrass. These accumulated carbohydrates help in the growth of shoots during the next spring season.
• The growth of roots slows down with the increase in temperature; 60^oF is the best temperature for the growth of roots.

Varieties
Generally, at the time of plantation, seeds of different varieties are mixed together, which results in better yield. Since, different varieties have different qualities such as tolerance to temperature, shade and harsh weather, mixed sowing reduces the risk of losing the entire lawn; which might happen if a single variety is used.

Facts about Propagation and Management

• The Kentucky bluegrass is propagated by means of sowing. A quantity of 2-3 pounds of seeds should be used over an area of 1000 square feet for sowing. Seeds are sown by the method of 'broadcasting' i.e. spreading manually. The new growth of grass requires enough light and water - about 2-3 times in a day, at least for the first two weeks.
• Rotatory mowers are used for mowing, which is started when the grass reaches a height of 2 inches.
• To maintain the Kentucky bluegrass in summers season, 2 inch water has to be provided per week. Here, the quantity of water that covers the total lawn area multiplied by the height - 2 inches is equal to 2 inch water. However, the grass is tolerant to water stress and it can survive without irrigation for a considerable period of time.
• The Kentucky Bluegrass needs 5-6 pounds of nitrogen in the first year, while the requirement reduces subsequently and 2-3 pounds of nitrogen is enough to fertilize the grass thereafter.
• Growing the Kentucky Bluegrass in alkaline soil results in a deficiency, known as 'iron chlorosis'. The veins of the leaves turn yellow as a result of this deficiency. Since phosphorus fertilization worsens the problem further, it should be applied in minimum quantity.

Pest and Disease Management
Dandelion, clover and crabgrass adversely affect Kentucky Bluegrass the most. These can be controlled with the application of 'pre-emergence' herbicides. The 'hormone-type' herbicides are used in managing the weeds with broad leaves. Trichlorfon (Dylox) can be used to control grubs. Common diseases that affect the Kentucky Bluegrass are Helminthosporium which develops leaf spots, powdery mildew, fusarium and rust. Sowing seeds of disease tolerant varieties, is the best means to prevent these diseases. Fusarium blight a disease which causes rotting of roots and bleaching of leaves can be managed by planting the bluegrass along with ryegrass in a mixture.

Kentucky Bluegrass looks beautiful in lawns and is also used in pastures. Horses, sheep and cattle are fed this grass. The Kentucky Bluegrass originated in Europe and today it has covered a vast area in Canada and the USA. The grass is easy to harvest and it grows in numerous varieties. This multipurpose grass is definitely a nature's gift to man.