Advantages
- Good color and density
- Flourishes in full sun areas
- Recovers from damage rapidly
- Good cold tolerance (survives the winter well)
Disadvantages
- Does poorly in shady areas
- Susceptible to Leaf Spot and Necrotic Ring Spot diseases
- Tends to create an excessive thatch layer quickly
- Very slow to germinate (3 weeks)
Summary
Kentucky bluegrass is best used in full sun areas. If starting a new lawn from seed, be prepared to water lightly every day for a month in order to be assured good germination and establishment. Lawns established from sod commonly consist largely of Kentucky Bluegrass. If this sod is layed in a shady backyard, the Kentucky Bluegrass will not flourish and overseeding with a shade tolerate grass like fine fescue is recommended.