Types of Soil for Colonial Bentgrass

Ideal Soil

• Sandy loam, which is composed of roughly 60 percent sand, 20 percent silt and 20 percent clay, is the ideal soil for colonial bentgrass roots. It has a loose texture, with the sand providing quick drainage of excess water, while the loam holds on to enough water for the plant to use. Colonial bentgrass also does best when grown in moderately acidic soil, which, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, has a pH between 5.6 and 6.0. Have the soil tested at the county cooperative extension office, and ask for advice on how to raise or lower the soil's pH.

Testing Soil Texture

• To determine how to amend your current soil to make it closer to ideal for bentgrass, place 1 inch of dry soil in the bottom of a 1-quart jar. Fill the jar with water until it is two-thirds full. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, cover the jar, and shake it vigorously. The sand will sink to the bottom of the jar almost immediately. The silt will rest on top of the sand within hours. The clay may take up to three to four days to settle as the top layer. Measure each layer to determine the percentage of each in your soil. From there you can extrapolate the amount of amendments to add to the soil to create a sandy loam.

Amending the Soil

• The best time to amend the soil is two to three months before you plant the seed. This gives it time to settle before the grass is established. Remove any vegetation from the colonial bentgrass seedbed. Use a nonselective herbicide, such as one containing glyphosate, to kill weeds; and wait the required amount of time, listed on the label, before planting. Spread each amendment over the colonial bentgrass bed, and use a garden fork or rototiller to blend them into the top 6 inches of soil. It is important to make sure that each amendment is incorporated completely into the soil.

Planting Colonial Bentgrass

• Wait until the soil warms to 65 degrees Fahrenheit to plant the colonial bentgrass seeds. Fall is the ideal time, as it gives the grass time to establish before the heat of the summer. Colonial bentgrass seed is planted at the rate of 1 pound per 1,000 square feet. Sow the bentgrass seed in strips, north to south and then east to west. This checkerboard pattern provides better coverage. Water the bed to a depth of 6 inches and keep it moist during germination -- water up to three times a day, if necessary. Bentgrass is slow to establish, so don't be concerned when it doesn't react to your care the way other grasses do.