Bluegrass

In North Carolina bluegrass is well suited for the mountains and often grown in combination with tall fescue in the piedmont. It is not suitable for use in the coastal plain. Many new cultivars with improved color, texture, and pest resistance are now commercially available.

As with most cool-season grasses, it is best to broaden the genetic base. This is done by planting a blend of two to three cultivars rather than seeding a single cultivar. When mixed with tall fescue, bluegrass tends to dominate where the soil is limed and the turf is adequately fertilized and mowed fairly short.

Primary Uses

  • residential & commercial lawns
  • sports fields
  • golf courses
  • parks & recreation

Seasonal Type: cool-season

Unlike warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses remain green throughout most of the winter. They are better adapted to the mountains and piedmont.

These grasses perform best in spring and fall and tend to show signs of stress in the summer. This is especially true as you move toward the coastal plain. Cool-season grasses are best seeded in early fall, but fair results may be obtained from seeding in early spring (mid-February to late March in the piedmont). Generally, late winter or spring seeding of these grasses is not recommended.

Dormant Temperature:

Greenup Temperature:

Sodding: You may successfully install a cool-season grass sod anytime in the cooler portions of the growing season when the ground is not frozen and anytime during the warmest times of the year with careful water management.

Texture

Bluegrass produces a high-quality, medium- to fine-textured turf, at least when grown in the right climate.

Propagation

Vegetative

Excellent sod results from rhizomes (underground stems) that spread, with most cultivars recuperating from and tolerating pest control measures and moderate levels of traffic.

Seeding

seeding rates range from 1 to 2 pounds per 1,000 sq ft. Higher rates can result in weak, thin stands that are more susceptible to disease and high-temperature stress.

Traffic Wear

Most cultivars tolerate moderate levels of traffic.

Maintenance

level: moderate

Bluegrass prefers fertile, limed, well-drained soils in sun or light shade.

mowing height

  1. Bluegrass should be mowed at a height of 1.5 to 2.5 inches when planted alone.
  2. It should be mowed at 2.5 inches or higher when mixed with tall fescue.

Drought Tolerance: good

It is also common for bluegrass to be seeded in combination with tall fescue. The tall fescue enhances drought and heat tolerance, whereas the bluegrass provides finer texture and greater recuperative potential.

Even though bluegrass may turn brown during a two- to four-week summer drought, it is not necessary to irrigate. Bluegrass recovers well from most droughts, and watering will often increase disease problems.

Shade tolerance

Generally, bluegrass grows better than tall fescue in moderate shade.

List of Growers

Turf Mountain Sod Inc

Wayne Pittillo
3277 Chimney Rock Road
NC 28792

Phone: (828) 685-3642
Fax: (828) 685-1121
Email: turfmountain@bellsouth.net

http://www.turfmountain.com

Bermudagrass: NorthBridge
Bluegrass: Barvette, Midnight Star
Tall Fescue: Black Beauty

Sodco Turf Producers

Matthew Parrish
8625 Mt. Pleasant Church. Rd.
Willow Spring NC 27603

Phone: (919) 552-7075
Fax: (919) 552-5944
Email: matt@sodco.com

http://www.sodco.com

Tall Fescue: Confederate
Bermudagrass: Tifway 419TM
Centipedegrass: Common
Zoysiagrass: Compadre
Bluegrass: Endeavor II
Tall Fescue / Bluegrass Mix: Pennington Signature Series, Tarnation GT, Right Kentucky Bluegrass 5%

Pro Green Inc

Barry Clark
422 Lost Corner Rd
Morganton NC 28680

Phone: (828) 430-8833
Fax: (828) 430-8876
Email: barry@progreensales.com

http://www.progreensod.com

Bentgrass: Pure Distiction, 007, Washed Sod, L-93, Penncross, A-1
Zoysiagrass: Meyer
Bluegrass: ProPure Blue
Tall Fescue / Bluegrass Mix: Triple Threat plus

Piedmont Turf Farm Inc

David McCart
1890 HW Farm Road
Maiden NC 28650

Phone: (828) 428-8359
Fax: (828) 428-2093
Email: david@piedmontturf.com

http://www.piedmontturf.com

Bermudagrass: TifTufTM, T-10TM, Tifway 419TM
Tall Fescue / Bluegrass Mix: Tall Fescue/Bluegrass MixTM
Bluegrass: Water Star BlendTM
Zoysiagrass: ZeonTM