Many homeowners have trouble growing grass, and the problem is even worse for people who live in colder climates. Kentucky bluegrass and fescue are two types of grass that are commonly used as ground cover, but they’re not the same.
Kentucky Blue Grass Vs Fescue: Kentucky Blue Grass and Fescue are two types of grass that resemble each other closely. They both grow in the same kind of climate, require similar amounts of water, and can be used to create a beautiful lawn. The only difference is that Kentucky Blue Grass is a perennially growing plant while Fescue is an annual plant. With this newfound knowledge, you’re ready to make the perfect choice for your lawn.
Kentucky Blue Grass Vs Fescue | What’s The Difference?
Kentucky bluegrass is a popular turfgrass and one that can thrive in many different types of environments. Fescue, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated to grow, it’s temperamental and often needs more water than Kentucky bluegrass.
Shade Tolerance | Kentucky Blue Grass Vs Fescue
Bluegrass requires at least 8 hours of direct sunlight to grow and thrive while fescue required 4 hours. Bluegrasses for Shade: Height: 24-36 inches (60-90 cm). Type: Grass. Light: Partial Sun/Shade.
Kentucky bluegrasses can tolerate a wide range of different types of shade. They do best in full sun, but will also grow in partial shade (ideal for large trees). The most important thing is to give them plenty of water and encourage them to get as much sunlight as possible.
I hope you also enjoy these related Articles:
Pros of Kentucky Blue Grass
Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass that grows well in the fall, winter, and early spring. It’s drought-tolerant, which means it can grow even when there’s little to no rain. One downside is that it needs to be mowed often. The best place for Kentucky bluegrass is on football fields because it doesn’t need much trimming and has a nice appearance.
- Larger leaf size
- More shade tolerant
- No winter dormancy requirement
- Slower growing
- Less drought tolerant
- Has a thick root system
- Repels insects
- Is prevalent in the south
Cons of Kentucky Blue Grass
Kentucky bluegrass is a popular grass to plant in yards because it is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and looks good all year round. However, this type of grass doesn’t grow very fast or as thick as other types of grass. If you want a lawn that has fewer weeds and grows faster, consider planting fescue instead.
- Kentucky bluegrass is hard to cut.
- In hot weather, Kentucky bluegrass will turn brown instead of green.
- Kentucky bluegrass is not as drought-tolerant as fescue.
- Kentucky bluegrass creates a shady area beneath the plant which can make your yard hotter than it would be if you had fescue grass in that area.
Pros of Fescue Grasses
Fescue is a fine-leaved, cool-season grass that thrives in moist environments and has the added benefit of being more drought-resistant than Kentucky bluegrass. Fescue also produces seedheads from late summer to early fall, which could be beneficial for attracting wildlife to your lawn.
- Fescue is more disease resistant than Kentucky bluegrass
- It is also far more tolerant of soil compaction and temperature changes
- The height of fescue is shorter than Kentucky bluegrass, so it’s easier to maintain.
- It has a wider color range than traditional bluegrass.
- It is not as thirsty as other grass types, so it is more resilient during drought.
Cons of Fescue Grasses
- Bluegrass will grow in shade, while fescue needs sun
- Fescue grass is more drought-resistant than bluegrass
- Fescue generally does not spread as much as bluegrass
- Fescue can be hard to kill with weed killer and may need to be treated with a pre-emergent herbicide
- Bluegrass has a finer texture but less wear tolerance than fescue
How to grow bluegrass in shade.
When growing bluegrass in the shade, you will have to make sure they get enough sun and keep them watered well. mulch around the plants with a light layer of wood chips, or other organic matter to keep moisture in the soil.
Is Kentucky blue a fescue?
Yes. In the US, ‘Kentucky bluegrass’ is synonymous with the specific type of rough-bladed grass commonly known in the UK as ‘fescue’. Fescue is a coarser textured grass and has a higher drought tolerance than Kentucky bluegrass.
Can I mix Kentucky bluegrass with tall fescue?
Can I mix Kentucky bluegrass with tall fescue? Kentucky Bluegrass mixing is a great deal with Tall Fescue. Mixed grass clumps more densely, creating a healthier lawn than an all-Kentucky Bluegrass lawn.
Should I Overseed with Kentucky bluegrass?
Should I Overseed with Kentucky bluegrass? To germinate Kentucky bluegrass, plant in early spring or late summer. Overseeding another grass species will strengthen your lawn and make it more resilient to a variety of conditions.
Conclusion:
For regions that are on the coast of the Atlantic, through Kansas, summer days are too hot for Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue thrives in these areas.