Heat & Drought Tolerant Kentucky Blue Grass

Drought Tolerance in Bluegrass

• Compacted or shallow soils reduce the ability of roots to penetrate deeply enough to allow some grasses to flourish under hot or low-water conditions. More than 90 percent of the rhizome-forming root masses of Kentucky bluegrass and hybrid bluegrass are in the top 12 inches of soil. Such rooting allows Kentucky bluegrass and hybrid bluegrass to flourish in compacted soils under conditions detrimental to more deeply rooted grasses, such as tall fescue. The ability of bluegrass to survive dormancy under drought conditions is superior to tall fescue.

Kentucky Bluegrass

• Kentucky bluegrass is heat- and drought-tolerant. The increased drought tolerance of hybrid cultivars results from somewhat deeper root systems. More than 200 varieties of Kentucky bluegrasses are tested in the National Turf Evaluation Trials. Several newer, dark-green cultivars have improved drought tolerance, disease resistance and lower fertilizer and mowing requirements. Diva, Apollo, Mystere and Princeton 105 are good performers. Seed blends combine several varieties for specialized applications, including those designed for athletic fields or home lawns.

Texas Hybrids

• Texas bluegrass hybrid turf grasses, also called simply hybrid bluegrass, are crosses between native Texas bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The plants form extensive root systems, making them suitable for hot, dry conditions. Hybrid bluegrass is used as turf grass for golf courses and athletic fields in addition to home lawns. Reveille is marketed as being especially drought-tolerant, staying green year-round in southern climates. Armadillo was bred from a single grass plant found growing in Oklahoma. It shows remarkable drought and heat tolerance. Longhorn, Thermal Blue and Bandera all display heat and drought tolerance.

Mowing and Irrigating

• Heat and drought tolerance in bluegrass lawns is optimized with proper care. Bluegrasses should be kept mowed to 2 or 3 inches high. Shady areas protected from wind require less water. Use supplemental water in very dry, windy weather. Loamy clay requires less water than fast-draining sandy soil. The lawn needs watering when footprints are visible on the surface after an hour. A lawn given less-frequent but deeper irrigation withstands drought best.