America's Grass: Kentucky Blue Grass
by
Alex Russel
All About Lawns Columnist
Kentucky blue grass is the nation's most common planting grass
because it grows easily almost anywhere and can withstand the cold.
The most common planting grass in the United States is Kentucky blue
grass. It is a funny name for the grass since it most likely originated
in Europe, imported by settlers at the dawn of the European migration
to the Americas.
Legend even has it that Native Americans
called it "white man's tracks" because most everywhere the white man
went they found Kentucky blue grass growing behind him.
Blue Grass In Nature
Kentucky blue grass is a dense grass
with smooth, upright stems. If allowed to grow to its natural height of
one to three feet tall, clusters of greenish flowers grow at the top of
the stems. It grows in meadows, fields, roadsides, open woods, and on
banks of streams.
It is an aggressive grass. It can grow in
almost any soil and will often crowd out other plants. Kentucky Blue
grass often has partner plants in its lawns, like dandelions and
buttercups.
Planting Blue Grass Because it grows so well,
Kentucky blue grass provides a dense, green sod, especially well
adapted for lawns, beautification, and recreational uses like sports
fields and park lawns.
One of the main reasons planting
Kentucky blue grass is so popular is because it seeds well in a variety
of climates and it withstands North American winters. Its big weakness
is drought conditions.
The optimum mowing height for Kentucky
blue grass is two inches. If anything, it is important to err on the
side of leaving your lawn long as the grass grows poorly if cut too low
on the stem.
Kentucky blue grass doesn't grow deep roots so
it also goes through water quickly. During the summer, it is smart to
water frequently - at least every one to three days.
About the Author
Alex Russel is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Since
graduating from Syracuse University he has worked at many different
media companies in fields as diverse as film, TV, advertising, and
journalism. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and History.
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