Turf Tip: Caring for Kentucky bluegrass cool-season lawns
K-State horticulture expert provides tips for cool-season lawn care
Aug. 17, 2023
By Maddy Rohr, K-State Research and Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Commonly found in northeast Kansas, Kentucky bluegrass is not as heat and drought-tolerant as tall fescue and warm-season grasses. Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said it is also grown under irrigation in northwestern Kansas where the higher elevation allows for cooler summer night temperatures.
“Recommended cultivars for high- and low-maintenance (Kentucky bluegrass) lawns differ,” Upham said. “High-maintenance lawns are those that have irrigation to prevent stress and receive at least three fertilizer applications per year.”
Lawns under a low-maintenance program may provide limited watering and fertilization. Instead of the 4-5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year typical of high-maintenance turf, a low-maintenance program would include 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year.
“Obviously, a low-input lawn will not be as attractive as a higher-input lawn, but you can expect Kentucky Bluegrass to look good in the spring and fall, while going dormant in the summer,” Upham said.
Upham and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.
Interested persons can also send their garden and yard-related questions to Upham at wupham@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.
