Kentucky bluegrass

Description

Perennial, dark green, sod-forming grass with rhizomes, grows 1 to 3 feet in seed head stage. Leaves are narrow and fine bladed with tips shaped like a boat’s bow.

Uses

Pasture, with limited use for hay.

Advantages

High quality, highly palatable, long-lived pasture plant. Tolerates close, frequent grazing better than most grasses. Forms tight sod.

Disadvantages

Low yields, low summer production, becomes dormant and brown during hot, dry summers. More susceptible to grubs and insects than other pasture grasses. Slow to establish. Limited adaptation area (central, northern, and northeastern Kentucky).

Seeding

Rate: 10-15 lb/a
Depth: ¼-½ in
Primary Date: Aug 15-Oct 1
Secondary Date: Feb 1-Apr 15

Harvest

First harvest: May 1-May 15
Annual yield: 1-3 tons dry matter/a