Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Rate and Calculator
Kentucky bluegrass is the lightest new-lawn rate among the cool-season grasses on this site. The same Purdue sheet that lists its mowing height also gives it the longer germination span of the pair we can cite.
Result: kentucky bluegrass seed
New lawn, 5,000 square feet. The cited band is 2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Rates are extension figures, restated here in our words.
How Much Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Per 1,000 Square Feet?
Virginia Cooperative Extension and Penn State Extension list 2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet for a new lawn.
K-State Research and Extension lists overseeding at 1 to 1.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet, about half of the new-lawn band.
Purdue Extension AY-20 puts the mowing height at 2.5 to 3.5 inches and germination at 18 to 28 days. Eighteen to 28 days is the slower cited germination on that sheet.
| Project | lb per 1,000 sq ft | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn | 2 to 3 | Extension rate, named in the paragraph above |
| Overseeding | 1 to 1.5 | K-State Research and Extension |
Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Needed by Lawn Size
Built from the rate table above: lawn size divided by 1,000, times the rate. Acre rows use 43,560 square feet per acre.
| Lawn size | New lawn | Overseed |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 2 to 3 | 1 to 1.5 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 10 to 15 | 5 to 7.5 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 20 to 30 | 10 to 15 |
| 20,000 sq ft | 40 to 60 | 20 to 30 |
| 0.25 acre | 21.8 to 32.7 | 10.9 to 16.3 |
| 0.5 acre | 43.6 to 65.3 | 21.8 to 32.7 |
| 1 acre | 87.1 to 130.7 | 43.6 to 65.3 |
Kentucky Bluegrass Mowing Height and Germination Time
Mowing height is included only because Purdue Extension AY-20 lists it for this grass. Germination is included only when that sheet lists it.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Mowing height | 2.5 to 3.5 inches |
| Germination time | 18 to 28 days |
Kentucky Bluegrass Compared With Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass
Set beside tall fescue, this new-lawn band is the smaller one and the mowing band is shorter. Set beside perennial ryegrass, the new-lawn band is lighter, while the mowing band matches ryegrass at 2.5 to 3.5 inches.
| Item | Kentucky BluegrassBluegrass | Tall FescueFescue | Perennial RyegrassRyegrass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Cool | Cool | Cool |
| New-lawn rate, lb per 1,000 sq ft | 2 to 3 | 6 to 8 | 4 to 5 |
| Mowing height | 2.5 to 3.5 in | 3 to 4 in | 2.5 to 3.5 in |
Common Kentucky Bluegrass Seeding Mistakes
- Buying the tall fescue weight. This rate is the smaller cool-season band.
- Expecting seedlings in the tall fescue window. The cited germination is 18 to 28 days.
- Skipping the overseed row. It is cited, at 1 to 1.5 pounds, not left blank.
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Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Rate and Calculator FAQ
How much Kentucky bluegrass seed is listed for a new 1,000 square foot lawn?
2 to 3 pounds. Seeding rate: Virginia Cooperative Extension; Penn State Extension.
What is the overseeding rate for Kentucky bluegrass?
1 to 1.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Overseeding: K-State Research and Extension.
How long does Purdue list for Kentucky bluegrass germination?
18 to 28 days, with a mowing height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Germination and mowing height: Purdue Extension AY-20.