In the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA, seed mixes that include fine fescues, such as hard fescue, creeping red fescue, and sheep fescue are best suited for shady areas, says Maryland-based landscape architect and designer Kirsten Coffen (opens in new tab). Fertilize the soil: Before covering and tamping the soil, spread a thin layer of starting fertilizer over the surface. Our recommendations for the best grass for Southern California are Scotts Turf Builder Bermuda Grass Seed Mix Bag and Jonathan Green Kentucky Tall Fescue Grass Seed. Year-round . How To Encourage Kentucky Bluegrass to Spread Faster, Overseeding Zoysia with Kentucky Bluegrass [4 Pitfalls], Best Lawn Fertilizer After Aeration [Top 3 Choices], How to Get Bermuda Grass to Spread [6 Fast-Acting Tips], Water in the Corner of Your Basement? Water the seedlings: Provide 1-inch of water per week to the established grass and increase to 2 inches in temperatures above 24 or 75. This height maximizes leaf blade growth and grass spread. It is best for sowing in Fall and Spring when ground temperatures are within 60 0 F-80 0 F range. About Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed (10322): Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed mixture combines Black Beauty tall fescue seed varieties with Kentucky bluegrass to fill in bare spots quickly and invigorate worn-out lawns. Tall fescue is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance choice for open, sunny ground in regions that experience low rainfall or where irrigation is not possible. KBG has the greatest cold hardiness of all the common cool-season U.S. lawn grasses.2 It's used most extensively in northern climates where moderately warm summers and cold winters align with its natural preferences and growth cycle. Planting in September will give you the best results. Fast-greening perennial ryegrass and shade-tolerant fescues complement Kentucky bluegrass' strengths to create versatile, lush, cool-season lawns. Perennial ryegrass is the fast-growing lawn grass that I would suggest for temperate climates like the northern US and the UK, says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences (opens in new tab). Kentucky Bluegrass seed sprouts in 14 days. Growth may slow in peak summer temperatures. Let me start with the disappointing news first. When it comes to sowing grass seed, there are a variety of possibilities. Fast Germinating Kentucky Bluegrass; New Seeding: 6-8 lb per 1,000 sq ft (260-350 lb per acre) Over Seeding: 3-4 lb per 1,000 sq ft (130-175 lb per acre) BMI Fast and Luxurious mix. Kentucky bluegrass has a shallow root system and is not drought-tolerant, so be sure to water the grass every one to three days. Plants need proper space to develop, hence it is possible to plant an excessive amount of seed in an insufficient amount of space. Shop Now Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular cool-season grasses that are found all along the northern United States. In the case of cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, your work calls for a regiment of fall preparation for lush springtime germination. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. Then follow this Kentucky bluegrass lawn care calendar for a beautiful, lush lawn. Some weeds that may infest your grass include crabgrass, clover and dandelions. For areas that get fewer than three hours of direct sun, use a shade-tolerant ground cover, such as myrtle or pachysandra, says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. Buffalo Grass: It takes between 2 and 30 days for this kind to germinate. Zoysia: Zoysia grass tolerates partial shade, heat, heavy foot traffic, and drought but is a slow grower. Kentucky bluegrass establishes quickly from the seed, but germinates more slowly than other cool-season grasses, like fine fescue and perennial ryegrass. Add any additional soil amendments as suggested by your local county extension agent. Choosing the most appropriate grass kind and planting it at the most appropriate time can go a long way toward achieving the lawn you want. Avoid treating newly seeded areas until new grass establishes and you mow it at least three times. This added height will protect the root system from the sun. There is also some evidence that Kentucky bluegrass may have been growing in Utah before western settlers arrived. Winter's arrival and departure shift from year to year, so let your lawn be your guide. Regardless, I think there is benefit in this since it is way easier to see possible wash outs coming 3-4 days before vs 8-10, especially in late August. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. During warmer months, the grass may go dormant if it does not get enough water. During periods of high heat and lower rainfall, increase KBG mowing heights to 3 to 4 inches. Plants need soil temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit to sprout and grow, which translates to 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit every day. When your lawn goals call for a dense, durable, cool-season lawn with luxuriant color, Kentucky bluegrass may be the answer to your hopes. Bermudagrass is the fastest-growing warm-season grass for lawns, yet it is also the most expensive. Provide your Bluegrass lawn with the essentials and you will be rewarded with impressive growth through spring, summer, and fall. It has, in fact, already expanded. If you'd like to have a beautiful lawn, please, plant this grass in late spring and early summer. If there is somewhere for the water to seep, it may be worth installing a drainage system. Early leaves and blooms on lilacs and honeysuckles herald an early arrival of spring in many US states this year but is it concerning? Where the soils drainage is not good, try to improve it before sowing fine fescues. Only 5 to 10% by weight of tiny clover seed needs to be mixed with the recommended amount of grass seed to create a thick stand. The following are the fastest-growing warm-season grasses: From the lower Atlantic Coast to southern California, these grasses are found in warm, humid climates in the southern United States, where they flourish in the warm, humid climates. Reseeding is only necessary for bare spots larger than 24 inches (60 cm) in diameter. She was Associate Editor on Ideal Home, and Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine, before moving into digital in 2007, launching Channel 4's flagship website, Channel4.com/4homes. Another thing to note about Kentucky Bluegrass is that it it's seeds can take longer to germinate than both Ryegrass and Fescue, once it has germinated it grows fast! Historically, this 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. Grass will not grow well in dense shade, so unless the area has heavy foot traffic (in which case hard landscaping may be a better option) its best to plant a grass alternative. Perennial Ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass Study Results. Fertilize and treat broadleaf weeds with Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14. Kentucky bluegrass establishes easily from seed, but it germinates more slowly than some other cool-season grasses. Kentucky Bluegrass has shallow roots easily stricken by drought and heat. 3. Established Bluegrass lawns can fill damaged areas up to 24 inches (60 cm) in diameter in a growing season. The seeds will typically germinate within 5 to 10 days. 'The Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass will predominate in the sunny areas, and the fine fescues do well in the shade,' explains Peter. Fast-growing perennial ryegrass, for example, germinates in one-third the time of KBG. Keep your KBG lawn free of winter debris, such as sticks and rocks. Opt for the grass that most suits your situation: the climate, air quality, light levels, and soil type determine which variety to go for we offer advice on all these elements below. #2. The germination of Bermudagrass seed might take as little as seven days if the conditions are right. The sitemay contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. If you follow the specific planting, mowing, and fertilizing guidelines for Kentucky bluegrass, youre sure to have a thriving, attractive lawn. At first glance, its most notable features are: All of these grasses are ideal for warm areas, with St Augustine being perhaps the most shade tolerant. In a nutshell, the higher the temperature, the faster-germinating grass seed of Bermudagrass. Best fast-growing grass seed for heavy foot traffic Keep in mind, the rate of growth can vary depending on the temperature, and the germination periods outlined below are general time frames to help you plan and plant for optimum results. Each rhizome has a node every few inches, which will form a new grass plant and send out its own roots and blades. Poorly maintained Bluegrass lawns may struggle and spread more slowly. The fastest-growing cool season grasses include: Perennial and annual ryegrass: Both germinate in just seven to 10 days. Hard fescue is the best performer in the group. Avoid treating newly seeded or overseeded areas until spring. You can do this by reseeding bare soil with Kentucky Bluegrass in spring or fall. Hearty and highly palatable to homeowners and livestock alike, Kentucky bluegrass has a variety of uses. This is also a smart way to crowd out weeds naturally. Check with your local county extension agentabout typical frost dates for your area if you're unsure. But plant tall fescue alone its light-green color and coarse texture don't blend well with the finer turfgrasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fine fescue. Fine fescue grasses are an alternative for shady ground in drought-prone areas, but do not tolerate a lot of foot traffic. However, it will also grow in loamy soil. Kentucky Bluegrass spreads on its own as long as it is properly maintained. However, Kentucky bluegrass doesn't do it on its own. In fact, when you buy grass seed that is labeled as "Fast Grow" or "Quick Grow" the seed blend is commonly dominated by ryegrass. Look for a mix that contains about 80% Kentucky Bluegrass, with the remaining 20% (or less) Perennial Ryegrass. Kentucky Bluegrass takes longer to sprout from seed than other cool-season grasses. Start mowing your KBG lawn as soon as it starts growing. What Fertilizer Do You Put on Fescue Grass in the Winter. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Grass Seed Popular Filters Sun Tolerance: Sun and shade (4-8 hours of daily sun) Tall fescue Sun Tolerance: Full Sun (8+ hours of daily sun) Mixture/Blend Scotts Sun Tolerance: Shade (2-4 hours of daily sun) Sort & Filter Sort & Filter Sort By Featured Best Sellers Highest Rated New Arrivals Special Offers Bulk Savings (7) Sun Tolerance We have pretty good germination at Josh's place at 18 days. Till in organic matter such as black topsoil, compost, shredded yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, etc.) The greatest period to plant warm-season grasses is between late spring and summer when the weather is most pleasant. Good. The germination percentage may be significantly lower than that of improved varieties as well. You need to maintain the moisture in your soil for successful germination, so make sure to irrigate up to 16 inches. If you are looking for a fast growing grass seed, perennial ryegrass is considered the go to seed for quick growth. Many, we are showing uncut, so you can see how they look grown for meadows, but obviously you will want them trim for a lawn. Kentucky bluegrass seed (Poa pratensis) germinates in 14 to 30 days, according to the University of California. Typical germination time from seed is 14-28 days, due to the longer germination period this variety is typically mixed with other types of grass seed that quickly germinate. It is typically mixed with Kentucky bluegrass seed to combine ryegrasss rapid growth with bluegrasss spreading potential. Kentucky Bluegrass spreads faster than its competitor grasses. Heres how it works. USDA zones, on the other hand, are often congruent with grass climatic zones in terms of geographic location. Add its medium to fine texture, and a KBG lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet. This layer may help prevent seeds from being washed away in severe rains, as well as from being eaten by troublesome birds. Cool-Season: fastest germinating grass seed Tall fescue seed takes 10 to 14 days to germinate, whereas Kentucky bluegrass seed takes 14 to 21 days to sprout. Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is native to Europe and Northern Asia. Experts discuss what it means for your garden and pollinators, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Everything you need to turn your dream home into a reality, Save an extra 5% when you subscribe with code 'love5', Full of inspiring real homes, expert project advice and on-trend shopping, Issues delivered direct to your door or device. It takes 2 to 5 weeks for it to grow, but once established it will kill most weeds. Is it possible to put down too much grass seed? Snow moldoften attacks KBG lawns. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis): Germination of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) normally takes two to four weeks. Perennial ryegrass is one of the cool-season grasses to grow to obtain a thick lawn turf quickly. A single Kentucky Bluegrass seed can grow to fill a square foot of lawn over the course of a single growing season. 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. Some varieties vulnerable to stress damage. Perennial Ryegrass is the fastest germinating grass, making it great when you need a green lawn in a hurry, but then grows very slowly. Get instant access to all of our premium pasture seed products by entering your zip code into our exclusive Seed Selector! Weather conditions are often predictable in the northern regions where KGB thrives. Perennial ryegrass is fast-growing and has an earlier green-up time in the spring. Scotts Kentucky Bluegrass Mix - Best Grass Seed for Wet Areas. Mulch or rake leaves so your KBG is free from leaf cover. Being relatively slow to establish, it is best bought as sod (turf) to enjoy a fast result, and in many areas is better mixed with perennial ryegrass. The crisscross pattern will aid in the creation of homogeneity. Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. Kentucky bluegrass. Common pests include white grubs and sod webworms. This all-in-one combination repairs bare spots in two weeks or less under proper growing conditions. Next 10 Cities. Read the label to learn the grass species included, the percentage of each seed and the date of the germination test. 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. Make sure to water during drought periods. In the United States, grasses are classified as either warm-season or cool-season grasses, depending on the season in which they actively grow. Note that the more seedlings sprout, the faster the Kentucky bluegrass will spread. It also contains perennial ryegrass for fast germination and wear tolerance in lawns that experience heavy traffic. If you decide not to hydroseed, whether because you believe it is too difficult to do it yourself or because you do not want to spend the money to hire a professional. 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. Ryegrass germination time is about a week, while the Bluegrass portion will take at least two weeks to sprout. This means that it will be a good 3-4 weeks after planting before you see the green shade making an appearance. Pennington is committed to growing the finest grass seedpossible and providing you with premium lawn and garden productsto help you and your lawn grow. Perennial Ryegrass Stenotaphrum secundatum (Augustinegrass): This variety of grass germinates in 8 to 10 days and grows to a height of 2 feet. The fastest germinating grass seed may go from turf in as little as five weeks; which is ideal for reseeding areas ravaged by erosion or animals. BA1 1UA. Depending on where Kentucky Bluegrass is grown it can take up to three months to begin to develop and become established. It is important to keep in mind that the fine fescues do not handle foot traffic well, should be infrequently mowed, and need at a bare minimum two hours of direct sunlight. Kentucky bluegrass seed (Poa pratensis) germinates in 14 to 30 days, according to the University of California. All rights reserved. We grow several grasses and sedges that make excellent alternatives to turf grass, say the team at Hoffman Nursery (opens in new tab) in North Carolina, which specializes in ornamental grasses and native grasses. 4. Its critical to make the right option, or otherwise, your grass may grow swiftly, then falter, and finally fail. Unlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a self-spreading, sod-forming grass. Some are more appropriate to shady conditions, while others thrive in full sun. When it comes to growth, warm-season grasses are known for their fast development from mid-to-late spring through early October, and they become dormant throughout the winter months. Kentucky blue copes well with the onslaught of feet and paws walking and running across it repeatedly, which is why its probably the most widely grown grass in the US. Bluegrass rhizomes spread in a network, turning Kentucky Bluegrass lawns into a thick sod lawn. Once the seeds have germinated, lower the frequency of watering to twice a week until the grass has established itself. You'll often find the seeds of these grass types mixed together for different needs and uses, such ashigh traffic,sunny, ordense shadeconditions. This will cause your Bluegrass to leaf out much more quickly than Ryegrasses and Tall Fescues, resulting in the most beautiful lawn that can be grown in northern climates. Duble, R.L., "Kentucky Bluegrass," Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. If Bermudagrass is not maintained correctly, it may develop a creeping tendency that is aided by above-ground and subterranean runners, which, regrettably, make this grass species potentially invasive. Also watch out for mold and rot--can help prevent this with a diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse. (4 pp., 9 maps, 2 tables) Looking for solutions in your county? Sprouted blades of Kentucky bluegrass are a lush, dark emerald green that has an almost blue hue to it.