Never Plant This Grass Seed Type in the Spring
Spring grass seeding is a race against time. The seed needs to germinate and grow to adulthood before summer, so it can compete with weeds, existing turf, and July heat. If the seed takes too long to germinate, it will never make it. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking all cool season grasses are the same. They aren't. Cool season grasses can vary considerably in germination time, watering demand, and drought tolerance, which is why you should never reach for Kentucky bluegrass if you're planting grass in the spring. Here’s why:
- Germination time: Kentucky bluegrass takes 14 to 21 days to germinate, twice as long and in some cases three times as long as other cool season grasses. By the time Kentucky bluegrass establishes itself, the weeds will have already taken over.
- High Watering Demand: Kentucky bluegrass’ long germination time means you’ll be making a huge commitment to irrigation. You won’t just be watering for a week or two. You’ll spend nearly three weeks watering it three times a day. That’s a long time to run your sprinklers and a significant time commitment rotating sprinklers around your lawn.
- Poor drought tolerance: Kentucky bluegrass has a shallower root system than other cool seasons grasses because it spreads via rhizomes that remain near the soil surface during the first season. This makes this grass type much more vulnerable to heat and drought conditions and hence far less likely to survive the summer.
Related: The Best Grass Seed for Clay Soil and How to Prep Your Lawn for Planting
Better Spring Seeding Grass Type Options
Rather than waste time, money, and water attempting to grow Kentucky bluegrass in the spring, reach for a different cool season grass type instead:
Tall/Fine Fescues
Fescues develop deep root systems that make it well suited for surviving the heat of summer.
- Short Germination times: Tall and fine fescues have a much shorter germination time of 7 to 14 days, which means you’ll spend less time watering.
- Deep Roots: Fescues are well known for their deep root system, which can reach up to 3 feet in their first year, giving this grass type excellent drought resistance.
- Heat Tolerant: Fescues also have what’s called a high thermal compensation point, which means they’ll continue to grow in hot temperatures that cause Kentucky bluegrass to go into summer dormancy.
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Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass' short germination time makes it ideal for the short window spring grass seeding offers. It's ideal for repairing patches and lawns that see a lot of foot traffic.
- Short Germination Time: Perennial ryegrass has a very short germination period of just 5 to 7 days, giving it plenty of time to establish itself before summer arrives.
- Great wear tolerance: This grass type is very resistant to foot traffic, making it a great option for lawns that see a lot of action.
| Grass Type | Germination Time | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
Perennial Ryegrass | 5–7 Days | Emergency repairs, high-traffic areas. |
Fine/Tall Fescue | 7–14 Days | Best all-around for heat and drought. |
Kentucky Bluegrass | 14–21 Days | Fall only. High maintenance, high reward. |
Kentucky Bluegrass/Rye Grass Blend
If you're dead set on planting Kentucky bluegrass this spring, then go with a blend that includes perennial ryegrass. The perennial ryegrass acts as a nurse crop, stabilizing the soil and shading the ryegrass as it germinates and gets established. Go with an 80/20 KBG to PRG mix. For patching bare spots, go with a 50/50 blend.