
In hilly areas, grazing of Kentucky bluegrass should begin on south-facing slopes that warm first and begin growth early in the spring. Reduce the stocking density later in the grazing season as grass growth slows. Managers should use high stocking densities early in the growing season when Kentucky bluegrass is most productive or should harvest excess growth as hay or silage. Kentucky bluegrass pastures often are undergrazed in the spring, which results in an accumulation of mature, low-quality forage. Because Kentucky bluegrass grows to a shorter height than many other cool-season forage grasses, it is ideally suited for grazing. Consequently, proper management during the early growing season is essential to maximize production potential. Under normal environmental conditions in Pennsylvania, Kentucky bluegrass achieves nearly 70 percent of its annual forage production by early June. Recommended Reading: Toro Lawn Zero Turn Mowers Harvest Or Grazing Management Due to shallow roots, bluegrasses will quickly go dormant if subjected to extended drought or under-watering. This species prefers fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture for optimal health and beauty. Some varieties of bluegrass have been bred to be more tolerant of shading, but dense shade is a limiting factor to the vigor of a bluegrass lawn. Kentucky bluegrass seeds will tolerate limited shade but grow best in full-sun. Tall fescue, on the other hand, is a heat-tolerant grass species that will definitely thrive in the same region.įinally, depending on what lawn aesthetic youre going for, you can also always blend these two cool-season grass species for varied results. In the transition zone, summer days tend to be too hot and arid for Kentucky bluegrass. Whether to choose tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass largely depends on where you live. Recommended Reading: Ditch Bank Mower For Sale Which Grass To Choose We have great tips for a successful watering schedule on our website. This keeps the turf growing at a good rate to help grow out the seed heads on the turf. The best time to water is between the hours of 12 am 6 am. The lawn should receive 1-1 ½ inches of water per week. Make sure the lawn is receiving the proper amount of water each week.The grass becomes easier to mow and have a much neater lawn. Properly fertilized lawns grow out of the seed stage of the grass life cycle faster. Lowering the mowing height puts additional stress on the lawn and may also cause damage to vital structures of the plant, such as the crown. We do not recommend lowering the mowing height of the mower to help control seed heads.We recommend mowing once a week at a height of 3-3 ½ inches and not bagging the clippings. The best way to combat seed heads is to mow the lawn often and make sure the mower blades are sharp.Cutting the lawn short for the winter will help prevent it from becoming matted down, which will help prevent snow mold from growing. Keep your lawn long in the summer because long lawns do better than short lawns during the growing season, but in the late fall cut your lawn short for the winter months. Longer lawns also help prevent grubs from laying their eggs near the soil where they can feed on the crowns and roots of the grass. This is just one of the many benefits of keeping your grass longer in the summer. If you keep your lawn longer in the summer, it will allow the bottom half of the grass to stay cooler, delaying the effects of drought stress. Keep Your Lawn 23 Inches Long In The Summer In the spring and fall, your lawn needs less waterabout 1.52 inches a week, so adjust your sprinkler time accordingly.

Then adjust your sprinklers as needed or water those areas by hand. When checking how many inches of water your lawn is getting, place containers on dry spots specifically to see if the sprinklers are missing those spots. Doing this will strengthen your lawns root system, which will keep your lawn healthy. Water less often for longer periods of time.To determine the most effective watering schedule for your lawn, keep the following in mind:

Kentucky bluegrass seed update#
Grass Seed Heads – Spring Lawn Update with Dr.
