Kentucky Bluegrass Identification
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most common grasses grown in the U.S. It is a hardy grass that can self repair when damaged and so it is used for many different reasons. Its name can be a little misleading as it originally came from Europe and Asia, not Kentucky. The important thing for most people, however, is how to identify Kentucky bluegrass from other grasses. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Knowing how to identify one grass from another is significant for a few reasons. The first and main reason is so the grass can be cared for correctly. Many grasses that may look similar have completely different care requirements and if given too much or too little water, or sun or shade, can quickly die. It is also important to be able to identify Kentucky bluegrass from others to be sure that it will live up to expectations when selecting it to perform a function such as a well-traversed path.
Uses
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Kentucky bluegrass is used for many things such as lawns, sports fields, recreational areas and pathways. It is a popular choice because it seeds very quickly and grows thickly. This thickness and its natural regenerative capabilities make it a very tough grass, able to withstand aggressive activities like sports and constant foot traffic. The seeds of bluegrass are often mixed with ryegrass when trying to make sod. This is because ryegrass cannot hold the soil together very well and doesn't recover very well when the roots are cut. Mixing Kentucky bluegrass with the ryegrass gives the ryegrass a chance to survive by providing it with strength that it needs.
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Growth Habit
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Kentucky bluegrass is not a drought loving grass. It does not do well in very warm temperatures but prefers the cooler climate of the Northeast U.S. or the Central North. It is enjoyed by many people because it can withstand cold winters allowing them to keep their lawns. This grass is shade tolerant but doesn't like total shade as this can leave it susceptible to disease. Being able to recognize these features of bluegrass is important so any potential problems can be averted or solved quickly.
Description
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If left to grow wild Kentucky bluegrass can grow quite tall, reaching heights of 2 feet. The edges of each leaf curve towards each other until they join at the tip to form a shape like the front of a boat. The two sides of the leaf are stiff and parallel allowing the dark green grass to point straight up.
Seed Identification
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The seeds of Kentucky bluegrass are small, which makes it possible to overseed a lawn or crop. This will result in a thicker layer of grass. The seeds are about 2 mm in length, taper off to a point at one end and are beige to white in color.
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References
- Photo Credit grass image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
