Garden Care Guide

Common Bentgrass Care

Agrostis capillaris (syn. A. tenuis)

A fine-textured lawn grass that forms a dense, decorative surface and spreads by rhizomes and stolons. It is used on golf courses and in high-quality gardens, and requires intensive care and watering in the hot summer months of the Aegean.

Half-hardy

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Rainfall is generally sufficient; if it turns dry, 5 L/m² once a month.
  • Pruning: If necessary, once a month, at a high setting (4-5 cm).
  • Plant protection: For moss/Fusarium (copper sulfate/iprodione).
  • General care: Avoid walking on it.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for moss growth and drainage.
  • Frost risk: Low risk, but do not walk on it if there is frost.
February
  • Watering: Rainfall is generally sufficient; if it turns dry, 5 L/m² once a month.
  • Pruning: If necessary, once a month, at a high setting (4-5 cm).
  • Plant protection: For moss/Fusarium (copper sulfate/iprodione).
  • General care: Avoid walking on it.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for moss growth and drainage.
  • Frost risk: Low risk, but do not walk on it if there is frost.
March
  • Watering: 7-10 L/m²/week; reduce if it rains.
  • Fertilizing: Starter fertilizer (NPK 20-20-20), 20 g/m². Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Once a week, gradually lower the height (2-4 cm).
  • Plant protection: Dollar spot (propiconazole).
  • General care: A good time for raking and aeration.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for spring fungal diseases.
April
  • Watering: 15-20 L/m²/week; reduce if it has rained.
  • Fertilizing: Nitrogen-dominant (e.g. NPK 26-5-10), 20 gr/m². Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Twice a week (2-3 cm).
  • Plant protection: For danaburnu and wireworms (Imidacloprid).
  • General care: Weed control.
  • Pests & diseases: Carry out control for dollar spot and brown patch.
May
  • Watering: 20-25 L/m²/week; reduce if it rains.
  • Fertilizing: Nitrogen-dominant (e.g. NPK 26-5-10), 20 gr/m². Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Twice a week (2-3 cm).
  • Plant protection: Against fungal diseases (Propiconazole).
  • General care: Control weeds and, if necessary, scatter sand.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for fungal diseases and pests.
June
  • Watering: 25-30 L/m²/week; water deeply in the early morning.
  • Fertilizing: Potassium-rich summer fertilizer (e.g. NPK 10-5-20), 15 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Increase the cutting height (4-5 cm) and reduce the frequency.
  • Plant protection: For brown patch (azoxystrobin).
  • General care: Avoid heavy cultural work.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for signs of heat stress and scorching.
July
  • Watering: 30-35 L/m²/week; water deeply in the early morning, and syringe during the day if needed.
  • Fertilizing: Potassium-rich summer fertilizer (e.g. NPK 10-5-20), 15 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Keep the cutting height high (4-5 cm).
  • Plant protection: High risk of Pythium/anthracnose (Fosetyl-Al).
  • General care: Avoid heavy cultural work.
  • Pests & diseases: Check daily for signs of root rot and scorching.
August
  • Watering: 30-35 L/m²/week; water deeply in the early morning, and syringe during the day if needed.
  • Fertilizing: Potassium-rich summer fertilizer (e.g. NPK 10-5-20), 15 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Keep the cutting height high (4-5 cm).
  • Plant protection: High risk of Pythium/anthracnose (Fosetyl-Al).
  • General care: Avoid heavy cultural work.
  • Pests & diseases: Check daily for signs of root rot and scorching.
September
  • Watering: 20-25 L/m²/week; reduce according to temperature.
  • Fertilizing: Autumn fertilizer (NPK 18-24-12), 25 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: 1-2 times a week; return the height to normal.
  • Plant protection: For dollar spot/rust (propiconazole).
  • General care: The best time for aeration and overseeding.
  • Pests & diseases: Repair the summer damage and check for fungal diseases.
October
  • Watering: 10-15 L/m²/week, reduce if it rains.
  • Fertilizing: Autumn fertilizer (NPK 18-24-12), 25 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: As growth slows, reduce the frequency.
  • Plant protection: For rust (Myclobutanil).
  • General care: The last chance for aeration and overseeding. Clear leaves from the surface.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for fungal diseases.
  • Frost risk: Be alert to the risk of night frost.
November
  • Watering: If necessary, 5-10 L/m²/week; follow rainfall.
  • Fertilizing: Winter fertilizer (e.g. NPK 5-10-20), 30 g/m²; do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Once growth stops, make the final cut at a higher height (4-5 cm).
  • Plant protection: Preventive for winter diseases (iprodione).
  • General care: Keep the surface clear of debris.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for moss and fungal growth.
  • Frost risk: Low risk, but do not walk on it if there is frost.
December
  • Watering: Rainfall is generally sufficient.
  • General care: Avoid walking on it.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for moss and drainage.
  • Frost risk: Low risk, but do not walk on it if there is frost.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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