How to Have a Beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn

Prepare the area six months prior to planting seed to give your grass a healthy start. Remove existing weeds and vegetation from the planting site by hand or use a chemical herbicide. Till the soil to a depth of 8 inches, working in organic matter such as compost or manure.

Use the soil test kit to determine pH. To raise pH, work lime into the soil. To lower pH, add sulfur. Kentucky bluegrass prefers soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Level the area with the lawn roller to remove any bumps. Pour topsoil into any depressions before rolling the ground. Spread 3 lbs. of seed per 1,000 square feet of soil, using the spreader. Rake lightly to cover the seed 1/2 inch into the soil.

Water the seeds two to three times a day until they germinate. Provide the grass 1 inch of water every week thereafter during spring and fall and 1 1/2 to 2 inches during summer.

Feed the Kentucky bluegrass 1 lb. of time-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in early summer and repeat application one month later. Avoid fertilizing the grass between July and August. Feed the grass 1 lb. of nitrogen fertilizer between early to mid-September and 2 lbs. in early fall.

Mow the grass every week from April to mid-June to a height of 2 inches. Raise the height to 2½ inches between June and end August. Reduce the height to 2 inches from early September to mid-October and to 1 1/2 inches from mid-October to mid-November. Do not mow the grass after mid-November.

Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to control foxtail and crabgrass from the end of April to early May. Reapply six weeks later, following label directions for application rates.

Inspect the grass for damaging insects such as billbugs and white grubs. Apply a timely insecticide from mid-May to the end of September. Treat leaf spot with a registered fungicide in April and September.