If you prefer a marvelous lawn, your first chore is to compare turf grasses. Being a proficient gardener, you have to know the grass varieties for greater precision. The two most widely plowed grass varieties include Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Both two species are popular worldwide with a greater disparity.
You may want to know where and why to utilize these grass species. When dealing with a precise turfgrass application, Bermuda grass and Kentucky bluegrass do a great job as well. The practice of assigning the right turfgrass for your lawn is somewhat tricky. You have to go for the one that best matches your lawn conditions and lifestyle.
Have a clear perception of the difference between Bermuda grass vs Kentucky bluegrass if you want better management of your yard. However, we are the boss in this fact. Come on with us and know the truth. Today, we are gonna talk about bermuda grass vs kentucky bluegrass.
Table of Contents
Bermuda Grass VS Kentucky Bluegrass
Hardiness Factors:
Bermuda grass is the most popular warm-weather turf grass that follows C4 plant metabolism. It can withstand drought-prone conditions. March to September is preferable for growing Bermuda grass seeds. The seeds grow best at the optimum temperature between 75-95°F. Some hardy strains of Bermuda grass can withstand the sub-zero kinds of weather of USDA zones 5 through 6. But it can’t resist USDA zones 7 through 10. During the winter seasons, the growth starts slowing.
While Kentucky bluegrass seeds grow best in cool seasons maintaining a C3 plant metabolism. The optimum growing temperature is between -45 to 50°F. It can’t tolerate drought conditions like Bermuda grass. It only resists USDA zones 2 and USDA zones 2 through 7. In the summer months, the growth gets dropped and tends to possible damages.
Texture, Appearance, and Resilience:
Bermuda grass grows well in high-foot-traffic regions with its medium-course, wiry texture. It is more resilient than other turfgrasses. Some variety comes with a gray-green appearance while some have a dark green or deep blue-green color. The leaves of the turfgrass are edged and smooth with white hairs. The hairy blades make a striking ring to join the papery leaf sheath.
Kentucky bluegrass is suitable for all-purpose yards as it recuperates quickly from wear. It is not as resilient as Bermuda grass with fine course and soft blades. The turfgrass can’t withstand high-foot-traffic regions. It comes with a dark green appearance with smooth, compressed sheaths. The blades are boat-shaped on the top with no hairs. Being less spiky Kentucky bluegrass is more livable than Bermuda grass.
Fertilizer:
Proper fertilizing is very important for ang plant. But the application time differs from grass to grass. Bermuda grass needs nitrogen fertilizer each season. Late spring is the peak time to use fertilizers in Bermuda grass. Use fertilizers when the turf grasses actively grow.
Kentucky bluegrass also prefers nitrogen fertilizer as like Bermuda grass. Approximately the same amount of fertilizers prefer the two turf types. Early spring is the peak time for using fertilizers in Kentucky bluegrass. One more tip: if you prefer a dark green lawn every season, use chelated iron with nitrogen fertilizers.
Maintenance Needs:
The maintenance of Bermuda grass depends on the quality and conditions of your lawn. It prefers low to high maintenance for growth. In general, the active-growing grass can be 4-6 inches in height with leafy, branched stems. But some varieties can grow up to 18 inches also. If you want the highest-quality Bermuda grass, keep proper maintenance including frequent but low mowing, proper watering, and fertilizing. Less but regular watering helps to grow good and decent turf and reduces the requirements of mowing.
On the other hand, Kentucky bluegrass needs high maintenance for growth. In the hottest seasons, the turf needs more frequent watering regularly with a shallow root system. This is because water can’t reach the roots easily. Thus, it prefers more watering. The species can grow 3-4 inches tall during the growing seasons. It demands low mowing down to 11/2 inches short.
Pest and Disease Susceptibility:
Bermuda grass is less susceptible to pests and diseases. Some pests that affect Bermuda grass are-
- Armyworms, the common pest in Bermuda grass lightens the color of the grasses from dark green to brown. It leaves spots in the body length of Bermuda grasses. The turf loses its liveliness gradually.
- A microscopic worm called Bermudagrass mites also affects the Bermuda grasses.
- Other tiny mealybugs feed on Bermuda grasses. They are light-colored and white scale pests.
Common pests that feed on Kentucky bluegrass are-
- White grubs, the gray-colored insects feed on the sap of Kentucky grasses. The pests have brown heads and are 3/8 inch to 2 inches in length.
- Like white grubs, there is another species named Billbugs. It affects Kentucky bluegrass by feeding on the sap. The insects are 1/4 to 1/2 inches long.
- Powdery mildew is a common fungus found in Kentucky bluegrass. It results in brown spots on the grass.
Professional Uses:
Being a warm-season grass species, Bermuda grass is widely used for professional purposes including roadside schemes to professional sports such as golf programs, football arenas, and yards.
Kentucky grass is demanding with its cute dark-green appearance. But it is less not available in the hottest areas. The species is used in shady areas like the southern transition zone and north.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right turfgrass variety is very crucial for a gorgeous lawn. Knowing the distinctions between Bermuda grass and Kentucky bluegrass will make you enjoy a precise application for your lawn.
If you are a competent gardener, it is a must for you. So, today you are going to know the disparity between bluegrass vs Bermuda grass Philippines. I hope you are gonna get enough knowledge of what you have to use.
