Sustainable Bluegrass?

[Smallaxe]

Has anyone grown, or even heard of, Compact-America types and Mid-Atlantic-types of bluegrass , as talked about here?

"Kentucky bluegrass has the reputation of being a high water user. If you examine the trial performed at Kansas State by Bremer et al in 2007 and to be repeated in 2009 (http://turf.lib.msu.edu/ressum/2007/8.pdf), the common Kentucky bluegrasses, which are the cheapest seed and are often used in consumer blends, used 22 inches of water over the summer when irrigated at 50 percent wilt, while the Compact-America types and Mid-Atlantic-types of bluegrass had excellent performance at 8 inches of water over the same period. So changes in the cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass could greatly reduce the water requirements in even a hot environment for this species. These are measurements of the water required to keep the turfgrass looking acceptable to the average homeowner using an end point they can understand."

[dishboy]

Has anyone grown, or even heard of, Compact-America types and Mid-Atlantic-types of bluegrass , as talked about here?

"Kentucky bluegrass has the reputation of being a high water user. If you examine the trial performed at Kansas State by Bremer et al in 2007 and to be repeated in 2009 (http://turf.lib.msu.edu/ressum/2007/8.pdf), the common Kentucky bluegrasses, which are the cheapest seed and are often used in consumer blends, used 22 inches of water over the summer when irrigated at 50 percent wilt, while the Compact-America types and Mid-Atlantic-types of bluegrass had excellent performance at 8 inches of water over the same period. So changes in the cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass could greatly reduce the water requirements in even a hot environment for this species. These are measurements of the water required to keep the turfgrass looking acceptable to the average homeowner using an end point they can understand."

I stumbled upon that same article last week. So it seems we now have a choice besides TTTF for water conservation , but it seems a irrigation system would be beneficial as even though water amounts are less, root depths as deep as TTTF do not seem as the norm.

http://www.landscapemanagement.net/landscape/Green+Industry+News/Water-saving-turf/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/615479


I do not know about being sustainable, as as I recall those Compact varieties may be N hogs.

And some of them take forever to green up in the spring, not a good quality IMO.

[Kiril]

I stumbled upon that same article last week. So it seems we now have a choice besides TTTF for water conservation , but it seems a irrigation system would be beneficial as even though water amounts are less, root depths as deep as TTTF do not seem as the norm.

http://www.landscapemanagement.net/landscape/Green+Industry+News/Water-saving-turf/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/615479


I do not know about being sustainable, as as I recall those Compact varieties may be N hogs.

And some of them take forever to green up in the spring, not a good quality IMO.


Key paragraph in above link.

The final set of species to consider for reduced-water use are the fine fescues, which have low water requirements and do well under reduced maintenance. New cultivars have high quality not just in shade but also in full sun. They can be used for golf course fairways and roughs, as well as parks and home lawns.

[Smallaxe]

We have one hillside that is completely shaded all day until the sun comes around and bakes it for several hours b4 twilight, no irrigation. We have fescue on that slope and it survives every year, and is looking good.

However, it seems to always be an offshade green. Around here Packer green is the shade of gold. :)

If these turfs have a good color, they may be a usefull fillin, for a neglected turf, where it is... more important to look good than to be good. I will keep an eye out for N use. Thanks.

[stimpy]

Smallaxe. Have you looked at reveille bluegrass. They claim to be the most drought tolerant bluegrass. Its a cross of native texas bluegrass and KTB. Reveilleturf.com

[Smallaxe]

Thanks for the tip. It looks like there is not going to be a quick clear answer and I'll have to start researching. :)

[Smallaxe]

This is probably true for all KBG species, but buying a special seed and telling the client that this is how to treat it; might be a way of getting proper cultural practices, instituted by HOs.

..."Water –Begin watering as soon as the sod is laid. The soil surface must be kept moist but avoid standing water and saturated areas. As the sod becomes rooted, watering will need to be adjusted. After establishment water infrequently but deeply, filling the soil profile to field capacity and then allowing the soil to dry to nearly the wilt point. Depending on soil type Reveille® may require watering as little as once a week in heavy clay to twice a week in sandy soils. Do not water every day!

Mowing – During the fall, and spring Reveille® may be mowed as low as ¾ - 1inch. Adjust mowing frequency to remove no more than 1/3 of the grass blade length. During the summer, raise the mowing height to at least two-inches. For best results be sure the mower blade is sharp each time you mow. Mowing frequency is less than typical cool season lawns. Average mowing is once every 12-14 days!

Summer – Excess water and fertilizer will increase the incidence of diseases during the hot summer time period."