Kentucky Bluegrass

Native bluegrass is one of the most common species in pastures. It is a short, very dense with dark green leaves with “boat” shaped leaf tips. Native varieties can take over heavily grazed pastures. Improved varieties are more manageable and highly palatable, except at the advanced-maturity stage. Bluegrass spreads with rhizomes to form a sod and is very persistent under heavy grazing. This feature makes Kentucky bluegrass highly suitable for horse pastures.

Establishment

Slow to establish with a 21-28 day germination period. Plant at 1/8 to 1/4 inch depth in a very firm seed bed. Spreads rapidly after establishment because of the rhizomatous nature.

Management

Typically, 70% of bluegrass production is before June. Therefore, early heavy grazing prevents over mature, low quality forage. Keeping a stubble height at 3 to 4 inches encourages proper regrowth.