Garden Care Guide

Creeping Bentgrass Care

Agrostis stolonifera

It spreads by stolons and forms a very dense, carpet-like surface; it is used on golf course putting greens. It needs full sun and constant moisture, and is very difficult to maintain in the hot summers of the Aegean Region.

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, 5-7 L/m² every 2 weeks.
  • Pruning: If necessary, once a month, at a high setting (3-4 cm).
  • Plant protection: Protective fungicide (iprodione) for moss and Fusarium.
  • General care: Check drainage and avoid walking on it much.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for moss growth and winter diseases.
  • Frost risk: Low risk, but do not walk on it if there is frost.
February
  • Watering: Rainfall is generally sufficient; if it turns dry, 5-7 L/m² every 2 weeks.
  • Pruning: If necessary, once a month, at a high setting (3-4 cm).
  • Plant protection: Protective fungicide (iprodione) for moss and Fusarium.
  • General care: Check drainage and avoid walking on it much.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for moss growth and winter diseases.
  • 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: Nitrogen-dominant spring fertilizer (NPK 21-5-10), 20 gr/m². Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Once a week, gradually lower the mowing height (1-3 cm).
  • Plant protection: Fungicide for dollar spot (propiconazole).
  • General care: Raking (dethatching) and aeration.
  • Pests & diseases: Carry out dollar spot control.
April
  • Watering: 15-20 L/m²/week, water deeply.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (NPK 25-5-8), 20 g/m²; do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: 2-3 times a week (1-2 cm).
  • Plant protection: For brown patch and mole crickets (azoxystrobin/imidacloprid).
  • General care: Topdressing with sand, aeration.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for fungal diseases and soil-dwelling pests.
May
  • Watering: 15-20 L/m²/week, water deeply.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (NPK 25-5-8), 20 g/m²; do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: 2-3 times a week (1-2 cm).
  • Plant protection: For brown patch and mole crickets (azoxystrobin/imidacloprid).
  • General care: Topdressing with sand, aeration.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for fungal diseases and soil-dwelling pests.
June
  • Watering: 25-35 L/m²/week; water early or in the evening, and syringe during the day to cool the plants.
  • Fertilizing: Summer fertilizer low in N and high in K (e.g., 10-5-20), 15 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Increase the cutting height by 25-50% and reduce the frequency.
  • Plant protection: Protective fungicide for Pythium/anthracnose (Azoxystrobin).
  • General care: Do not carry out heavy cultural work.
  • Pests & diseases: Check daily for signs of root rot and scorching.
July
  • Watering: 25-35 L/m²/week; water early or in the evening, and syringe during the day to cool the plants.
  • Fertilizing: Summer fertilizer low in N and high in K (e.g., 10-5-20), 15 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Keep the cutting height high and reduce the frequency.
  • Plant protection: Protective fungicide for Pythium/anthracnose (Fosetyl-Al).
  • General care: Do not carry out heavy cultural work.
  • Pests & diseases: Check daily for signs of root rot and scorching.
August
  • Watering: 25-35 L/m²/week; water early or in the evening, and syringe during the day to cool the plants.
  • Fertilizing: Summer fertilizer low in N and high in K (e.g., 10-5-20), 15 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Keep the cutting height high and reduce the frequency.
  • Plant protection: Protective fungicide for Pythium/anthracnose (Azoxystrobin).
  • General care: Do not carry out heavy cultural work.
  • Pests & diseases: Check daily for signs of root rot and scorching.
September
  • Watering: 15-20 L/m²/week; reduce if it has rained.
  • Fertilizing: Autumn fertilizer (e.g. 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 and rust (propiconazole).
  • General care: The best time for aeration, dethatching and overseeding.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor the fungal risk on lawns coming out of summer stress.
October
  • Watering: 15-20 L/m²/week; reduce if it has rained.
  • Fertilizing: Autumn fertilizer (e.g. NPK 18-24-12), 25 g/m², do not overapply.
  • Pruning: As growth slows, reduce the frequency.
  • Plant protection: For dollar spot and rust (propiconazole).
  • General care: Aeration, overseeding. Clear leaves from the surface.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for fungal diseases.
  • Frost risk: Be alert to the risk of night frost.
November
  • Watering: Rainfall is generally sufficient; 1-2 times a month if needed.
  • Fertilizing: Winter preparation 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 (3-4 cm).
  • Plant protection: Preventive fungicide for winter diseases (iprodione).
  • General care: Keep the surface clear of leaves.
  • 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: Watch for moss and fungal growth.
  • 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.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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