Better grasses for our lawns

With hotter, drier weather and the need to conserve water, I am recommending some options to those who have Kentucky bluegrass. To keep Kentucky bluegrass alive (that means only surviving) it needs 2.5 inches of water per week or more. Most times in 100 degree days, that means 3-4 inches of water. What are some better turf grasses?

In the 1990s, Dr. James Read of Texas A&M University successfully crossed Kentucky bluegrass with Texas bluegrass, or in Latin, respectively, Poa pratensis x Poa arachnifera. The Texas bluegrass is native to the Panhandle of Texas. The new variety was named ‘Reveille.’

There are even more options than ‘Reveille.’ There is a Bella bluegrass that is a compact form of Kentucky blue that grows to a maximum height of 2-5 inches and takes half the water of Kentucky blue. It has a better rhizome root system and better tolerates heat and drought. It is the only compact turf grass on the market to date. It has a soft blade and retains this dark blue-green color all season long. The best part is that it only needs to be mowed once in the season. It also does well growing in the shade.

‘Reveille’ has a nice green color and, according to Texas A&M, is heat- and full sun-tolerant, cold hardy, and has resistance to fall armyworm and moderate resistance to rust and white grub. According to CSU turf specialist Tony Koski, it has a dense root system, which improves traffic tolerance, and an ability to recover from wear. It requires less irrigation than most other bluegrass species. From some of my clients that already have ‘Reveille,’ it requires less mowing — in some cases, every 10 days.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.