Kentucky Bluegrass Care
Poa pratensis
A lawn grass valued in cool climates for its beautiful color and ability to repair itself. It likes full sun and fertile soil. It is not suitable for the hot, dry summers of the Aegean climate; in that period it needs excessive watering to survive and becomes very vulnerable to fungal diseases (such as summer patch).
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.
- Watering: Usually not required; winter rains are sufficient.
- Pruning: Growth slows or stops very much; if needed, cut monthly at a high setting (5-6 cm).
- General care: Avoid walking on the lawn when there is frost, as it can damage the leaves.
- Pests & diseases: In the winter months, pink snow mold (Microdochium nivale) can appear in humid, enclosed areas.
- Frost risk: Very frost-hardy; stays green.
- Pruning: Mow once or twice a month at a high setting (5-6 cm).
- General care: Toward the end of the month, you can begin weed control.
- Watering: If necessary (if there is no rain), 15-20 L/m².
- Fertilizing: Nitrogen (N)-dominant lawn fertilizer (e.g. 25-5-10 NPK), applied to soil at 20-25 g/m², to start spring growth. Do not overapply.
- Pruning: Lower the cutting height to 4-5 cm and begin mowing once a week.
- Plant protection: A pre-emergent herbicide can be applied for summer weeds such as crabgrass (Digitaria).
- General care: Active growth begins.
- Pests & diseases: Monitor for leaf spot and rust diseases (Pucciniales).
- Watering: 20-25 L/m² per week.
- Fertilizing: Second feeding with balanced NPK fertilizer (20-25 g/m²).
- Pruning: Mow once a week at a height of 4-5 cm.
- General care: If the thatch layer is thick, dethatching (raking) and core aeration can be done.
- Watering: 25-30 L/m² per week.
- Pruning: Mow regularly at 4-5 cm.
- Plant protection: If needed, apply an insecticide against soil-dwelling grubs (Scarabaeidae larvae).
- General care: This is the strongest growth period.
- Watering: 30-40 L/m² per week; watering is critical when the hot weather begins.
- Pruning: Raise the cutting height to 6-7 cm to reduce stress.
- Plant protection: In hot and humid weather, apply a protective fungicide against fungal diseases (brown patch).
- General care: Heat stress begins. If possible, water early in the morning.
- Pests & diseases: Brown or ring-shaped dying patches can be a sign of Summer Patch disease.
- Watering: 30-40 L/m² per week or more; water deeply.
- Fertilizing: Not required, fertilizing may encourage disease.
- Pruning: Mow on a high setting (6-7 cm) and only when needed.
- Plant protection: Continue spraying for fungal diseases.
- General care: This is the period of most intense stress. The lawn may yellow and go dormant, which is normal.
- Pests & diseases: Damage from grubs becomes most noticeable this month.
- Watering: 30-40 L/m² per week; continue watering.
- Pruning: Continue mowing on a high setting.
- Watering: Continue regular watering (25-30 L/m² per week) and reduce frequency as the weather cools. Carry out this month's care.
- Fertilizing: If overseeding, apply a starter fertilizer; if not, apply a nitrogen (N)-heavy fertilizer (20 g/m²).
- Pruning: Begin mowing regularly at a height of 4-5 cm.
- Plant protection: If needed, apply an insecticide against soil-dwelling grubs (Scarabaeidae).
- General care: The most important period for repairing the areas damaged in summer. The ideal time for raking (dethatching), core aeration and overseeding.
- Pests & diseases: Dry, dead areas may be caused by summer stress or damage from soil-dwelling grubs.
- Watering: Usually not required; autumn rains are starting.
- Fertilizing: To prepare for winter, apply a "winterizer" fertilizer high in potassium (K) (e.g. 13-25-12 NPK), 20-25 g/m².
- Pruning: As growth continues, keep mowing at 4-5 cm.
- General care: The best period for strong root development. Regularly clear tree leaves that fall on it.
- Pruning: Growth slows; make the final cut slightly higher, around 5-6 cm.
- General care: Clear accumulated leaves from the lawn, otherwise the lawn will be deprived of air and rot.
- General care: It enters full dormancy.
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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