UBCNews - Business - How to Care For Kentucky Turfgrass: NKY Landscapers Share Tips For Lush Lawns

Episode Date: February 24, 2026

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we're talking about something every homeowner in Northern Kentucky dreams about – a lush, green Kentucky Bluegrass lawn. You know, the kind that makes your neighbors do a double-take. I'm joined by a turfgrass expert to talk about what it really takes to maintain that classic, beautiful lawn in our local climate. So, let's start with the basics. What makes Kentucky Bluegrass such a popular choice around here? TurfGrass Experts City: Milford Address: 5400 Dupont Circle Website: https://www.turfgrassexperts.com

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're talking about something every homeowner in Northern Kentucky dreams about, a lush, green Kentucky bluegrass lawn. You know, the kind that makes your neighbors do a double take. I'm joined by a turf grass expert to talk about what it really takes to maintain that classic, beautiful lawn in our local climate. So, let's start with the basics. What makes Kentucky bluegrass such a popular choice around here? Great question. Kentucky bluegrass is really special because it has this fine texture and rich blue-green color that people associate with the perfect lawn. But what's even better is its ability to self-repair through underground rhizomes. So if you get a thin spot or minor damage, it can actually fill itself back in over time with proper care. It thrives in cool to moderate climates, which makes it ideal for northern Kentucky. Our region is perfect for cool-season grasses. That self-reparing feature is huge, right? I mean, nobody wants to be constantly reseeding bear patches.

Now, what are some of the biggest challenges homeowners face when they're trying to maintain Kentucky bluegrass in our region? Definitely. The main challenge is summer heat and drought stress. Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass, so it loves spring and fall. but during those prolonged hot spells in July and August, it can enter temporary dormancy if it's not getting enough water. That doesn't mean the grass is dead. It's just a survival response. The key is deep, infrequent watering, about one to 1.5 inches per week to encourage deeper roots and improve drought tolerance.

Mm-hmm. Interesting. So it's really about root depth then. What about mowing? I've heard mowing height can make or break a lawn. Oh, absolutely. Mowing height is one of the most critical factors. For Kentucky bluegrass, you want to keep it between 2.5 and 3.5 inches. During summer heat, go on the higher end. That extra blade length protects the crown and roots, shades the soil, and reduces weed pressure. Cutting too low weakens the turf and increases stress. And always follow the one-third rule. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. Right, so higher cuts in summer and never scalped the lawn. You know, I learned that lesson the Hardway 1 July, thought I'd give the lawn a nice short trim before vacation, and came back to brown patches everywhere. Yeah, that's a common mistake.

The heat stress combined with scalping is just brutal on Kentucky bluegrass. Now let's talk about diseases, specifically which one's homeowners in northern Kentucky should watch out for. Good question. For the listeners, have you noticed any odd discoloration on your lawn lately? You're about to find out why. So the most common diseases around here are brown patch, leaf spot, and summer patch. Brown patch thrives in warm, humid conditions when nighttime temperatures stay elevated, and you'll see circular tan or brown patches with dark edges.

Leaf spot can occur in warmer, humid conditions, made worse if the lawn is stressed by low mowing or nutrient imbalance. Summer patch is a root-infecting disease that shows up during hot weather. You'll notice circular patches of thinning turf with darkened roots. Wow. So there's a lot to keep an eye on. Prevention sounds like it's going to be key. That point about nutrient imbalance sets up our next piece, soil health and professional care. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Looking for expert lawn care in northern Kentucky? Turfgrass experts brings over 18 years of green industry experience to homeowners in Union,

Covington, Erlanger, Florence, Fort Mitchell, and Walton. Led by ISA certified arborist Dustin Schaffer, they offer a full six-step lawn application program, including crabgrass pre-emergent, seasonal fertilization, blanket weed control, and winterizing treatments. Add-on services include fungicide applications, deep root feeding for trees, and pest control. Get a free consultation and see why small business delivers big results. Visit turfgrass experts.com. Picking up on nutrient imbalance, how important is soil health for preventing these diseases? It's critical.

Kentucky bluegrass prefers well-drained fertile soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Regular soil testing helps fine-tune your fertilizer program and correct imbalances before they show up as thinning or poor color. When soil pH is off, the grass can't absorb nutrients properly, no matter how much fertilizer you apply. So soil health really is the foundation. Or I should say, healthy soil is where everything starts. Right, exactly. Now, you mentioned professionals earlier.

How do they approach lawn care differently than the typical DIY homeowner? Well, professionals bring a science-backed approach. They can quickly diagnose problems, whether it's a fungal disease, nutrient deficiency, or pest issue, and apply the right treatment at the right time. For example, preventative fungicide applications are vital for irrigated lawns and shaded areas to stop diseases like brown patch before they spread. I remember working on a property a few years back where the homeowner had been treating for weeds when the real issue was summer patch.

Once we identified the root problem, the lawn recovered beautifully. I see. That's helpful. So there's more to it than applying fertilizer and hoping for, for the best. Exactly. Certified arborists also understand how the entire outdoor space works together, trees, shrubs, and turf, so they can address issues holistically. Tree roots can compete with grass for water and nutrients and shade patterns change throughout

the season. All of that affects turf health. That's a really good point. So to everyone listening, are you seeing thin spots that just won't fill in? might be time to look at the bigger picture. Now, one more thing before we wrap up. What's your number one tip for homeowners who want to improve their Kentucky bluegrass lawn this season? I'd say focus on mowing height and watering deeply. Those two practices alone can transform your lawn. Moe at the right height, 2.5 to 3.5 inches, and water deeply once or twice a week instead

of shallow, frequent watering. Deep watering encourages deeper roots, which improves drought-tolerant, and helps the lawn recover from summer stress. In other words, proper mowing and watering build resilience from the ground up. Pair that with a balanced fertilizer program and you're going to see real results. Perfect. I love how practical that is.

Moe smart, water deep, and feed right. That's the recipe for success. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise today. This has been incredibly helpful. My pleasure. Happy to help homeowners in your job. healthier, greener lawns. And to everyone listening,

thanks for tuning in. Remember, a great lawn doesn't happen by accident. It takes the right knowledge, the right practices, and sometimes the right help. Until next time, keep growing.