How to Plant Bentgrass
Bentgrass refers to a genus of grass plants. Several members of the bentgrass genus are grown throughout North America as lawn grass and golf course turf. Bentgrass is popular for its lush, green appearance and quick proliferation. Learn how to plant bentgrass for a thick, fast-growing lawn that will be the envy of your neighbors.
Prepare the soil. Remove existing vegetation to expose the bare dirt. Rake the area to collect all sticks, large rocks and other debris.
- Bentgrass refers to a genus of grass plants.
- Bentgrass is popular for its lush, green appearance and quick proliferation.
Use the shovel or hoe to break up the soil to a depth of two inches. Break any large clumps of dirt, though the soil does not need to be fine. Rake the soil to make it relatively level.
Apply lawn starter fertilizer. Lawn starter can be purchased from your local garden store, nursery or online retailer. The fertilizer quickly primes the soil with the nutrients bentgrass needs. Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions, as every brand differs in its specific nutrient mix.
- Use the shovel or hoe to break up the soil to a depth of two inches.
- Rake the soil to make it relatively level.
Obtain bentgrass seeds. One pound of bentgrass seed is sufficient for every thousand square feet of lawn you wish to plant. Adjust according to the size of your yard. Bentgrass is widely available at major nurseries and garden stores, as well as in the garden section at some general retailers (e.g. Wal-Mart or Home Depot).
Use your hand or a mechanical lawn-seed spreader to distribute the seed. Distribute so that the amount of measured bentgrass seed is spread evenly. Aim to sow approximately 20 bentgrass seeds in every square inch of soil.
- One pound of bentgrass seed is sufficient for every thousand square feet of lawn you wish to plant.
- Use your hand or a mechanical lawn-seed spreader to distribute the seed.
Water the soil plot. Keep the dirt moist until the bentgrass germinates and reaches a height of approximately two inches. After the grass reaches this height, water twice daily.
Tip
Plant bentgrass in the fall, when annual weeds are less prolific and days are shorter: It will take less water to keep the soil moist.
Warning
Avoid using herbicides on your property before or during the bentgrass seeding process.
Bentgrass does best in the northeast regions of the U.S. and similar cool environments. Warm locales such as Hawaii and the southern states are not conducive to growing bentgrass, though it's not impossible.
Related Articles
References
- Duble, Richard L. "Bentgrass." Texas A&M University. 2005.
- Dernoeden, Peter H. "Creeping Bentgrass Management: Summer Stresses, Weeds and Selected Maladies". New York: Wiley, 2000.
- Texas Cooperative Extension service
Resources
Tips
- Plant bentgrass in the fall, when annual weeds are less prolific and days are shorter: It will take less water to keep the soil moist.
Warnings
- Avoid using herbicides on your property before or during the bentgrass seeding process. Bentgrass does best in the northeast regions of the U.S. and similar cool environments. Warm locales such as Hawaii and the southern states are not conducive to growing bentgrass, though it's not impossible.
Writer Bio
Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening.
