| One species of grass that is native to | | | | will help keep the grass crowns alive so that |
| Northern Asia, the mountains of Algeria and | | | | when it rains, the grass will liven up |
| Morocco, and most of Europe is Kentucky | | | | quicker. |
| bluegrass. This kind of grass has become | | | | |
| more popular and common in some areas of the | | | | Another thing that you need to know about |
| United States that are humid and cool. | | | | Kentucky bluegrass is that it requires a |
| Kentucky bluegrass was transplanted to the | | | | large amount of Nitrogen. During the first |
| United States by the European colonists, who | | | | year of the trees life, it will need five or |
| brought along mixtures of grass seed. This | | | | six pounds for the tree to grow strong and |
| type of grass flourished in the area of New | | | | tall. You can probably cut back the amount |
| England where it was introduced and now you | | | | of Nitrogen needed by half after the first |
| can find it in the other areas of the United | | | | year. It is best to use some kind of slow |
| States. | | | | release nitrogen source so that you do not |
| | | | burn the tree and so it is more convenient |
| In the United States, Kentucky bluegrass is | | | | for you. You will find that it can be |
| very recognizable due to its boat shaped | | | | applied very liberally in this way and not as |
| blade tips. The normal growth of Kentucky | | | | frequently, which can save you time and |
| blue grass is one and one-half to two feet | | | | effort. |
| high, but it varies with the season. The | | | | |
| growth of this type of grass is triggered by | | | | One of the down sides of Kentucky bluegrass |
| how long the days are, rather than the | | | | is that it is very susceptible to pests, both |
| temperature. | | | | crawling and growing. You may also encounter |
| | | | a large weed problem with this type of grass, |
| Before you begin planting Kentucky bluegrass, | | | | too. The weeds most common to Kentucky |
| you need to know that it will take about two | | | | bluegrass include crabgrass, clover, and |
| to three pounds of seed for each 1,000 square | | | | dandelions. These weeds are usually easily |
| feet of land. You can sow this seed any time | | | | controlled with herbicides that work before |
| during the year, but it will grow better if | | | | the weeds appear. There are also several |
| it is planted in the fall or spring. After | | | | insects who love to nibble on Kentucky |
| you plant the seeds, you need to water it a | | | | bluegrass. These include white grubs, |
| least twice daily for the first two weeks and | | | | billbugs, and sod webworms. You need to |
| if it is extremely warm, then you may need to | | | | watch for the insects becoming a problem and |
| water it three times a day until it takes | | | | apply pesticides when needed. You may also |
| root. Once you begin seeing sprouts, you can | | | | find that the Bluegrass is susceptible to |
| cut back on the watering regimen. | | | | disease. You can prevent disease by adding a |
| | | | strain of Bluegrass that has resistance to |
| When you compare Kentucky blue grass to other | | | | disease. If you have alkaline soil, then you |
| types of grass, you will learn that Kentucky | | | | can find that your Kentucky bluegrass |
| bluegrass needs as much as two inches of | | | | develops iron chlorosis, which is seen by |
| water each week to stay healthy. By watering | | | | yellowing in the veins of the grass. |
| the Kentucky bluegrass abundantly, you will | | | | |
| find that the grass will stay bright and | | | | You will find that Kentucky bluegrass is one |
| green even during the summer. It is | | | | of the most popular and common types of grass |
| important, however, to water the grass no | | | | in the whole United States. It is easily |
| less than an inch to help make the roots grow | | | | recognizable and, if a few simple rules are |
| deeper and stronger. If you are having a | | | | followed, it is easy to plant and maintain. |
| drought, and your grass does dormant, then it | | | | If you follow the tips above, you will be |
| will only need about an inch of water every | | | | enjoying your beautiful Kentucky bluegrass in |
| two weeks or so. This amount of watering | | | | no time. |