Southern Blue™
Bluegrass Blend For The South
This innovative cool season cross between a Texas bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass was developed through a partnership with Texas A&M and NG Turf. The Southern Blue blend out performs all other cool season grasses during Southeastern summers while remaining cold hardy and keeping its deep green color year round. The rhizomatous root system not only provides heat and drought resistance, but also allows the grass to recover from stress and damage—unlike fescue, which requires overseeding.
Characteristics
APPEARANCE
Medium blade; dark green color year round
SHADE TOLERANCE
HIGH
DROUGHT TOLERANCE
Medium; better than tall fescue
MAINTENANCE
Medium; requires seasonal mowing height adjustments, proper irrigation, fall/spring fertilization, and summer disease prevention.
Technical Data
- More heat and drought resistant than fescue
- Better recovery than other cool season grasses
- Medium fertility requirements
- Medium mowing frequency
- Cold hardy
- Target pH should be 6.0 to 7.0
- Full sun to partial shade
Best Usage
- Golf—Roughs
- Landscape—Home lawns, commercial properties
Maintenance Guide
Watering
Installation
Mowing
Fertilizing
Diseases
Watering
- After installation, new Bluegrass sod should be watered consistently to keep the soil very moist until the sod has rooted in. During establishment, watering frequency is more important than total quantity. Apply approximately 1/4″ of water two times per day, adjusting as needed based on rainfall, temperature, and site conditions.
- Established Bluegrass requires 1″ of water per week from rainfall or irrigation from May–October. During November–April, established Bluegrass needs 1/2″–1″ per week.
- Although heat and drought resistant, Southern Blue will perform better with increased watering in periods of high temperatures or drought.
- Water in the early morning when dew is on the grass to minimize evaporation and reduce the risk of fungal disease.
- Visit the resources page to view or click here to download our watering guide for new and established grass.
Installation
- Test soil prior to installation and amend as needed, ideal pH 6.0 to 7.0.
- Install in areas of full sun to partial shade with at least four hours of direct sun.
- Southern Blue can be planted year round in most climates and retains its deep green color through all four seasons.
- Visit the resources page to view or download our soil preparation and installation guides.
Mowing
- Keep grass between 2.5″ and 3″ during active growing seasons in spring and fall. Raise mower height to 3.5″ to 4″ during June–August.
- During peak growing seasons, September–April, mowing may be needed every 4–5 days. Continue following the one-third rule.
- Leave mulched clippings scattered on the lawn, also called grasscycling, to return nutrients to the soil.
Fertilizing
- Apply 1 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. in September, early November, and February. Avoid heavy nitrogen in late spring.
- Fertilizing is not recommended for Sunbelt Blue during the summer.
Diseases
- Bluegrass is most susceptible to disease during the summer months. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications in late spring and summer to reduce fungal disease pressure. Water in the early morning and follow the recommended fertilization schedule to help maintain a healthy lawn.
