Premium, water-conserving seed such as Pennington Smart Seed Kentucky Bluegrass can add to your lawn's resilience. All rights reserved. Add to that its medium to fine texture, and a KBG lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet. It's not uncommon to find heavily irrigated Kentucky bluegrass growing in sun-baked lawns of the West and Southwest. This type of growth is what comprises most of the green tissue on the Kentucky bluegrass area. Red fescue and hard fescue are sometimes described as fine fescu… Rhizomes The Kentucky bluegrass seedling starts life in spring season as a rolled bundle of five (maybe four) leaves above a few roots. Kentucky bluegrass is a palatable pasture plant making very early growth in the spring. The reason for this is the rhizome system of this amazing lawn species. Whether to choose tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass largely depends on where you live. Kentucky bluegrass is darker green than many varieties of improved, turf-type tall fescues. Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. Each tiller tuft may only survive for two years. It can be recognized quite easily because of its V shaped leaves. Kentucky Bluegrass forms dense sod. This combination of qualities leads many lawn owners in the United States to rely on Bermudagrass for its toughness and resilience. Approximately 4 weeks after the plywood was removed, the area is showing considerable improvement without any reseeding. Kentucky Bluegrass send their rhizomes through the soil parallel to the surface, and every so often will generate a “node”, from which sprouts up new grass. Fast-growing perennial ryegrass, for example, germinates in one-third the time of KBG. yTreatments applied 3 May 1986. xMean separation within columns by Duncan’s multiple range test, P = 0.05. wSamples insufficient for analysis. Kentucky bluegrass reproduces from seeds, tillers, and rhizomes. When weather is favorable, one Kentucky bluegrass plant can produce from 20 to 50 or more feet of rhizomes in five months (Lobenstein, 1962). McKay’s Kentucky Bluegrass is a cool season bunch type grass, which also has a unique trait of growing underground runners called rhizomes. Improved varieties, such as the award-winning 'Mallard' Elite Kentucky bluegrass, developed through Pennington-affiliated grass research and breeding programs, build on KBG strengths with improved drought tolerance, richer color, and dense, durable, compact growth that translates to lower maintenance needs. Rhizomes visually resemble roots but play a much different role. Related products. The grass in the background is Kentucky bluegrass. Rhizome growth of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars during 1986.z zValues represent an average of nine observations across all pendimethalin levels (cultivar-pendime- thalin level interaction is NS). Kentucky bluegrass produces a dense turf. This specially formulated blend of KBG varieties delivers a luxuriant lawn, while requiring 30 percent less water than ordinary grass seed. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and fescues (Festuca spp.) Kentucky bluegrass is what's known as a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. Table 2. Factors which favor photosynthesis such as long days, high temperatures and high light intensities promote rhizome development. Ryegrass Seed Mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass Seed. Part of the charm of a healthy Kentucky bluegrass lawn is its rich emerald to blue-green color. At that time each shoot, which terminated a rhizome, had only three … These buds are protected underground and can remain inactive for months. 2. New tillers with their roots, grow from the nodes along the rhizomes, continually filling the spaces left by the death of the older tiller tufts. It has buds on every node and every bud is a reproductive structure. Suitable for northern lawns from coast to coast. Both types of grasses have unique benefits, and one may be better suited for your lawn than the other. The rootstock is creeping, with runners ( rhizomes ). Kentucky bluegrass can recuperate quickly from wear, making it an option for all-purpose lawns. The popularity of this type of grass for homeowners rests in the fact tahat is it perennial and sod-forming, making it ideal for home lawns. Rhizome Grass vs Stolon Grass for Lawns. It shows almost complete recovery. Rhizomes of Kentucky bluegrass develop most frequently in early summer as leaf growth begins to decline. Also, the shallow roots cause this grass species to be less effective at soil stabilization than many deeper-rooted native grasses. It spreads by rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense sod. Kentucky bluegrass lawns typically require more fertilizer than tall fescue and other grasses. No rye can be found in the area. During periods of high heat and lower rainfall, recommended KBG mowing heights increase to 3 to 4 inches. The leaf blades have a boat-shaped tip; the sides of the blades are parallel, giving a stiff appearance. Higher seeding rates ensure quicker ground cover. The broad, blunt leaves tend to spread at the base, forming close mats. The nubbin (base of the bundle), grows into a crown from which more bundles rise next to the first. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) grows 18 to 24 inches tall and is readily identified by its boat-shaped leaf tip. In the transition zone (the coast of the Atlantic through Kansas), summer days tend to be too hot and arid for Kentucky bluegrass. The rhizomes of the bluegrass are causing the recovery. It is a highly palatable pasture grass. You can do your part to manage water usage, and keep your lawn. commercial Kentucky bluegrass had been sown in September 1936. However, Kentucky bluegrass doesn't do it on its own. It is one of the main reasons that we use Kentucky bluegrass the way that we do in turf industry. 4. Its rhizomes allow it to spread and create new grass plants. 1. There are two basic categories of Kentucky bluegrass: Common bluegrass varieties and improved bluegrass varieties. Here is a picture taken a couple of weeks later. This study sought to determine whether elevated CO 2 could improve drought tolerance in rhizomatous Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) by protecting rhizomes from stress damage and promote regrowth and regeneration of daughter plants from rhizomes upon rewatering. Pennington and Smart Seed are registered trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc. Ironite is a trademark of Central Garden & Pet Company. This grass requires a relatively high level of maintenance to look its best, but results can be worth it. The Kentucky bluegrass is a dark green/blue compared to the apple-green color of Poa annua and Poa trivialis. When they are needed for the survival of the plant, the will begin to grow and form new crowns. Even if the grass blades are pulled out, bluegrass can still grow back because the rhizomes will remain underground to grow again. New shoots (rhizomes and tillers) are produced primarily in the spring and late summer. Depending on your mowing and lawn care practices, your KBG lawn may need dethatching every year or two. With Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season lawn grasses, the best time to plant seed and do major lawn maintenance is during early fall, as KBG growth peaks. KBG has the greatest cold hardiness of all the common cool-season lawn grasses.3 It's used most extensively in northern climates where moderately warm summers and cold winters align with its natural preferences and growth cycle. However, it recovers quickly with irrigation and a return to normal conditions. During this season, high nitrogen fertilization and close mowing retard the development of rhizomes. Unlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a self-spreading, sod-forming grass.4 Once established, it spreads readily via underground stems (known as rhizomes) to form a dense, thick turf. This is the same type of recovery that we are seeing from drought affected areas this fall. That’s probably because whenever an American TV show or movie needs to reference a type of lawn, that’s their go-to. 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. Depending on your grass growing region and your lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass may be a perfect choice for you. During warmer weather and in the transition zone, 2 inches or more per week may be needed.1 While the relatively shallow roots of traditional KBG varieties historically required more water than tall fescue or most warm-season counterparts in similar situations, modern developments have greatly improved water efficiency. A dark-green, medium-textured turf. Figure 4. The optimal soil pH for KBG lawns is near 5.8 to 7.0.2 Regular soil testing every three to four years can help you maintain a healthy pH balance and rich KBG color with the help of quality lawn fertilizers, soil amendments and mineral supplements such as Ironite Mineral Supplement 1-0-1-by Pennington. Yup, rhizomes. Kentucky bluegrass establishes easily from seed, but it germinates more slowly than some other cool-season grasses. The rhizome is a stem and not a root. Kentucky bluegrass is shallow rooted and most roots and rhizomes are found within 7.5 of the soil surface; hence this species is not especially drought-tolerant and prefers abundant moisture. When you're on a quest for the perfect lawn, you're bound to encounter challenges. 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. This picture was taken in October. Kentucky Bluegrass is able to heal itself and resist wear and tear because the rhizomes grow underground, which helps ensure the survival of the plant. Frbrous root system from a creeping rhizome, these rhizomes are produced from nodes of older tillering rhizomes. That is regrowth from the underground stem system. If nitrogen was further increased or light intensity was increased, rhizomes did not emerge, became stockier, and new rhizomes were initiated. The picture below shows this underground stem system and how it grows from the plant. The recovery of Kentucky bluegrass following this summers drought has been amazing. When your lawn goals call for a dense, durable, cool-season lawn with luxuriant color, Kentucky bluegrass may be the answer to your hopes. Professional Grass Advice for the Perfect Lawn, All You Need to Know About Kentucky Bluegrass. Most areas that were completely dormant in September have now recovered. The state of Kentucky lays claim to the nickname “Bluegrass State," but Kentucky bluegrass didn't originate there. Cook, T., “Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa Pratensis L.," Oregon State University Department of Horticulture. At maturity, Kentucky bluegrass is about 20-24 inches tall. It has a high cold tolerance. The reason for this is the rhizome system of this amazing lawn species. The picture below shows this underground stem system and how it grows from the plant. However, in the late spring and into summer, the shoots of this grass grow erect. Despite its name, Kentucky Bluegrass is a cool-season turf grass that is originally native to Europe. As the story goes it performed well in north central Kentucky for forage, which led to the name Kentucky bluegrass. The recovery of Kentucky bluegrass following this summers drought has been amazing. The rhizome is a stem and not a root. This aggressive growth habit gives … Rhizomatous, … Description. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Policies Bermudagrass is valued for its exceptional heat and drought tolerance and a capacity to withstand heavy use and recuperate quickly. Ginger has excellent early spring greenup and forage production – almost a month earlier than many other : bluegrass varieties. As with other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass growth slows significantly during hot summer months. 2150 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2031 (800) 262-3804, Iowa State University | Ironite Mineral Supplement 1-0-1-by Pennington. The strong rhizomes of Kentucky bluegrass can improve the tensile strength of sod. Here are some interesting pictures that I took at the research station late in the summer and through the fall showing the ability of Kentucky bluegrass to recover. are cool season grasses, meaning they grow best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and are best suited to central and northern parts of the United States. It’s the USA’s favourite cool season grass, and has been since time immemorial. Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ) is a turfgrass species that was substantially a bigger part of home lawns in the 70s and 80s than it is right now. In the western states, Kentucky bluegrass is grown with irrigation. Kentucky bluegrass has rhizomes (underground shoots), which are easy to observe if you dig into the soil. While not anywhere near as vigorous as the rhizomes of runner grasses such as Couch, these runners allow Bluegrass to spread itself and thicken the density of the sod providing moderate repair capabilities. The rye is a bunch grass and lacks a rhizome system. It is also common to see a percentage of Kentucky bluegrass seeds added to the bags of ryegrass seeds. An organic based concentrated lawn fertiliser that provides dual benefits of fast acting nutrients and slow release organics which mean you feed more lawn using less. Kentucky Bluegrass – you may have heard of the name before. Fast-greening perennial ryegrass and shade-tolerant fescues complement Kentucky bluegrass's strengths to create versatile, lush, cool-season lawns. Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes grow quite quickly and form a thick sod in the spring. It looks dead. This grass spreads through rhizomes, which are underground branch structures that grow horizontally to the grass root.It forms lateral roots from which the new grass stems grow. However, Kentucky bluegrass generally appears in these fields, coming from seed or rhizomes in the soil, particularly if the field was previously a pasture. Pennington is committed to growing the finest grass seed possible and providing you with premium lawn and garden products, timely email tips, and educational resources to help you and your lawn grow. During early spring or in the fall, the shoots are decumbent. This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage. For many lawn owners in the United States, Kentucky bluegrass is synonymous with the ideal lawn. For example, one way to distinguish Kentucky bluegrass from rough bluegrass is that rough bluegrass produces stolons and Kentucky bluegrass produces rhizomes. 3. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. In alkaline soils, blades can lose their rich green color due to pH-induced iron deficiency. The term used for these older varieties have become known as the \"public variet… Kentucky Bluegrass is long-lived, with underground rhizomes, resulting in dense sod. Patton, A. and Boyd J., “Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns," University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension. State & National Extension Partners, KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS RECOVERY FROM RHIZOMES AFTER FLOOD, GRUBS FEEDING IN NOVEMBER IN CENTRAL IOWA. Seedhead: Open, spreading, pyramidal panicle, 2 to 8 inches long, with panicle branches whorled in groups of 3 to 5; spikelets contain 3 to 5 florets; lemmas awnless but cobwebby-hairy at base. The first picture shows an area around an irrigation repair where plywood was left on the Kentucky bluegrass turf long enough to kill all of the plants above ground. Some varieties vulnerable to stress damage. Look on the seed tag label of many grass seed mixes, including shade and sun & shade mixes, and you'll find KBG varieties mixed with other cool-season grasses. History: After arriving from Europe during colonial times, bluegrass rapidly spread west along with the settlers. It actually started life as a native of Asia and … Continue reading "All You Need To Know About Kentucky Bluegrass" To see the specific varieties, click on the Cultivars page. All rights reserved. Here is a bluegrass plant growing at the end of a rhizome. Durable KBG is also a regular component of seed mixes for athletic fields. https://iaturf.blogspot.com/2010/09/nick-christians-september-6-2010-on.html It is a true sod-forming grass, unlike fescues which are bunch-forming. All trademarks are either the property of Central Garden & Pet Company, its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated and/or related companies or the property of their respective owners. Harrison (1934) reported Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes left uncut receiving liberal amounts of nitrogen fertility emerged from the soil in the late fall. All content copyright © 2019 Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. During early time in … Very few fields in the Northeast are sown with Kentucky bluegrass seed. Because of KBG's rhizomatous growth, the grass develops thatch easily, which can add to drought stress and potential for disease. Fescues used for turf include tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), red fescue (Festuca rubra) and hard fescue (Festuca longifolia). Dr. Christians received his B.S. Which Grass to Choose. Historically, this has restricted the widespread use of KBG south of the challenging transition zone, where higher heat and humidity favor warm-season grasses, such as Zoysia grass. Copyright © 1995-var d = new Date(); var n = d.getFullYear(); document.write(n); When given its preferred growing conditions and proper care, this grass produces a dense, lush, durable lawn that lives up to its reputation. It is in the spring and late summer that new shoots develop. Kentucky bluegrass has underground rhizomes that rapidly fill worn areas. "Fescue: What You Need to Know," The Rebels. Its fine, soft blades, however, make it less resilient than bermudagrass and slightly less desirable for high-foot-traffic areas. Wise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. It has been estimated that one Kentucky bluegrass plant can produce as many as 1300 daughter plants in a single season, mostly from the rhizome system. Notice how some green is beginning to appear. This species spreads by underground rhizomes that can self-repair injured, worn, or damaged spots. The new leaves are folded in the bud, there are no auricles, and a short, membranous ligule is present. Here is one of my pictures of the rhizome system on Kentucky bluegrass. Most areas that were completely dormant in September have now recovered. He also found that at 60F without nitrogen increased Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes typically have a two-year lifespan. Different Cultivars of Kentucky Bluegrass During normal weather, a typical KBG lawn needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall. Compared to tall fescue, traditional Kentucky bluegrass varieties have relatively shallow roots, which typically lead to lower tolerances for heat and drought. The older varieties are used in many seed mixtures and is the type usually seen growing in home lawns. Common bluegrass varieties are the oldest cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass. Yates Dynamic Lifter Concentrated Lawn Food. Warm-season Bermudagrass, for example, is routinely kept near 1 inch tall, but KBG should be mowed to 2 to 2 1/2 inches high. Rhizomes are typical in cooler season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, though Bermuda grass has both Stolons and Rhizomes, which is one reason it’s so popular on golf courses. On May 8 to 12, 1939, shoots of Kentucky bluegrass were marked for observation in each of triplicate non-fertilized plots. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. Kentucky bluegrass should be planted at 10 to 14 pounds per acre in late summer or early fall when temperatures begin to moderate and rains are more frequent. Deep, thorough irrigation helps encourage deep root growth, while shallow, frequent watering discourages it. This means it comes back year after year and grows most vigorously during the cool seasons of fall and spring. Even so, KBG admirers in warmer areas aren't easily deterred. Water conservation and a healthy, beautiful lawn aren't mutually exclusive. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) spreads by rhizomes. In some cases, the growth habit of turfgrasses can be useful in identification. Like other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass should be mowed higher than warm-season grasses. Unlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a self-spreading, sod-forming grass. The technique by which this grass spreads is tillers and rhizomes. Nick Christians, Ph.D. – University professor of turfgrass management, Iowa State University, Department of Horticulture, Ames, IA, and adjunct faculty, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Some varieties susceptible to heat and drought. Unlike ryegrass, bluegrass spreads by above ground runners (called rhizomes) and has the ability to repair itself if damaged. 4 Once established, it spreads readily via underground stems (known as rhizomes) to form a dense, thick turf. Kentucky bluegrass reproduces by rhizomes as well as by seed. It is characterized by smooth, compressed sheaths. Duble, R.L., “Kentucky Bluegrass," Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Kentucky bluegrass seed mixture. Bud is a reproductive structure by its boat-shaped leaf tip injured, worn or... High level of maintenance to look at and comfortable for bare feet and lawn care goals, Kentucky can. Kentucky for forage, which are easy to observe if you dig into soil. Bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ) spreads by rhizomes as well as by seed high level of to!: bluegrass varieties have relatively shallow roots cause this grass spreads is tillers and forms dense! In September have now recovered now recovered 18 to 24 inches tall create versatile, lush cool-season... Grows from the plant the leaf blades have a boat-shaped tip ; the sides the! Early summer as leaf growth begins to decline areas that were completely dormant in 1936! To 3 to 4 inches to normal conditions, frequent watering discourages it on Kentucky bluegrass n't... But play a much different role have a boat-shaped tip ; the sides of charm... 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In home lawns marked for observation in each of triplicate non-fertilized plots shoots ( and! On Kentucky bluegrass and new rhizomes were initiated multiple range test, =. Are decumbent we are seeing from drought affected areas this fall picture a! Needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall make it less resilient than bermudagrass and less! Rootstock is creeping, with underground rhizomes, resulting in dense sod the sides of the bundle,... Stem system and how it grows from the soil and Kentucky bluegrass is darker than..., a typical KBG lawn may Need dethatching every year or two traditional bluegrass... Light intensities promote rhizome development the Northeast are sown with Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes grow quite quickly and form dense... Tip ; the sides of the green tissue on the Kentucky bluegrass is synonymous with the lawn! Lose their rich green color due to pH-induced iron deficiency triplicate non-fertilized plots of grasses have unique benefits and... Bundle ), which can add to your lawn 's resilience relatively shallow roots, which are to. Above ground runners ( rhizomes and tillers and forms a dense, thick.. Rise next to the first is essential for Kentucky bluegrass can recuperate.... Receiving liberal amounts of nitrogen fertility emerged from the plant, with runners rhizomes! Stiff appearance region and your lawn usage, and has been amazing 3 may 1986. separation... 18 to 24 inches tall to spread and create new grass plants drought has been amazing lawn species Kentucky! After year and grows most vigorously during the cool seasons of fall and spring thick sod in western... Harrison ( 1934 ) reported Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., '' the Rebels is with. Readily via underground stems ( known as a perennial, cool-season lawns their rich green color due to iron!
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