When it comes to native grasses, Kentucky bluegrass is
truly Mother Nature's Masterpiece. When left untended in the wild, this tough productive grass will aggressively crowd out
most other grass varieties including fescues. As recently as 40 years ago, the majority of the bluegrass seed grown in the
country was grown and processed right here in our area.
Bluegrass
will make the most desirable lawn with the least effort of any turfgrass species for 10 months out of the year.
Improved varieties of Kentucky bluegrass produce the darkest green color available for lawn grasses. Bluegrass
has runners that allow it to spread, fill in bare spots, and repair itself from damage. This turf quality
makes it more wear tolerant than fescues or buffalo grasses and ideal for safe playing surfaces on sports fields or front
lawns.
Local sod growers who take pride in their turf and know the bluegrass
secret. In cool weather, feed it hard and mow it close and the weeds will disappear.
While
bluegrass requires some irrigation to maintain summer color, mature bluegrass can survive extended droughts in a
dormant state. Irrigating bluegrass with 1 inch of water on ten day intervals in July and August and reduced
mowing will sustain most bluegrass color.
The Kentucky bluegrass varieties recommended for Kansas City Envicta,
Abbey, Sapphire Blue, Raven, Leawood Blue™ and Bluemaster® blend. These
varieties show characteristics for dark color, disease resistance, heat tolerance, and wearability that make them an excellent
choice for Kansas City lawns. Estate Mix™, which include some sports turf ryegrass,
are an excellent choice for spring seeding. These include Platte
CountyMix™and Lee Summit Mix™ as
well as Johnson County Mix™.
Old hands that want the very latest in turf science
should try Raven or Envicta is
elegant turf. West Texas Hybrid
is exceptionally heat tolerant and very cost effective when compared to buffalo grass and zoysia seed.
