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KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS
Bluegrass is a long-living perennial grass which originated from Europe and Asia. In Europe bluegrass is called smooth meadow grass. This grass has successfully spread across half of the United States and into Canada and is well known as a pasture grass for horses, cattle, and sheep throughout the areas of adaptation. Millions of acres are now occupied whether by purpose or by nature's own seeding and are still being planted today. Kentucky Blue Grass is easy to harvest and has developed into one of the species with the largest number of varieties of any grass seed.
Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, perform best in the spring and fall months in the northern regions of the country. Hot, dry weather is tough on cool-season grasses. Kentucky bluegrass, for example, responds to hot, dry conditions by going dormant. High temperature stress of cool-season grasses can be reduced by simply raising the mowing height. Additional leaf area shades and cools the crowns of the plants and the higher mowing height promotes the development of a deeper root system. Deep-rooted plants are more likely to withstand drought and temperature stresses. Finally, the additional leaf area increases the rate of photosynthesis or food production. For most commercial properties it is recommended to mow Kentucky bluegrass at a height of 2 to 2 1/2 inches during the spring and fall months.
The recommended mowing height during the summer months is 3 inches.
An important key to proper mowing is a sharp blade. This is especially true during the summer. Dull blades tear and bruise the leaf tips. The hot summer sun bleaches the damaged leaf tissue, giving the turf surface a whitish appearance. The damaged leaf tissue also increases water loss and the potential for disease infection. Do not mow any cool season grass too short because it will promote weed germination and also give the "scalped look".
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