Name: Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)
Life Cycle: Cool-season perennial
Native to: Europe
Uses: Pasture
Identification: Boat-shaped leaf tip

Bluegrass is synonymous with Kentucky and for good reason. Kentucky Bluegrass is well-adapted to the cool, humid growing conditions of Kentucky, the transition zone of the eastern United States, and most northern states. It does well in a wide variety of soils. Kentucky Bluegrass is very winter hardy but does not tolerate hot, dry summers further south.

Kentucky Bluegrass is low-growing and, therefore, low-yielding. Because of this, it is not ideal for hay but is excellent for horse pastures. It is highly nutritious, very palatable, and tolerant of close, frequent grazing. Kentucky Bluegrass also forms a tight sod, providing good pasture footing. It is slower to germinate than most cool season grasses (seven to 21 days).

Detailed seeding dates and rates can be found in the Grain & Forage Crop Guide for Kentucky (AGR-18) at uky.edu/ag/forages or through your local county extension office.