Orchardgrass is for the most part grown for pastures and to create hay and fodder for cattle . Tall fescue grass and Kentucky bluegrass are grown both for their skimming qualities and for their usefulness as sod . When most citizenry say " bluegrass , " they usually mean Kentucky bluegrass that is good for both pastures and democratic for lawn , playing fields and golf courses . There are other variety of bluegrass that are considered invasive weeds on turf .
Orcdhardgrass
Orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L. ) is a improbable , coolheaded - time of year perennial pasture that is used for pasture , fodder and silage . Orchard grass begin growing in bunches early in the spring , developing and flowering quickly . Unlike many pasture pasturage include Kentucky blue grass , orchardgrass does not spread by above - earth runner or rhizomes beneath the dirt . It grows well in full sun and is more tolerant of heat , drouth and refinement than is Kentucky bluegrass .
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea ) is a coolheaded season perennial grass with deep tooth root that grows in bunches . It thrives in wet meadows and in low , damp eatage . Tall fescue is grown mostly for pastures ; it has define utility as greensward .
Tall fescue grass does well in remains that is well drained ; improved varieties have been developed that rest green around the year if they are irrigate . Tall fescue grass does not do well if it is mowed below 1 - 1/2 column inch high , and it does not stick out traffic well , making it less utilitarian for athletic fields and golf courses .
marvellous fescue lawns are overseeded in the fall to prevent them from develop tenuous , unsightly clumps in hot , dry summertime weather .
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ) , native to Europe and parts of Asia and the deal of Northwest Africa , has spread over most cool , humid areas of the U.S. , specially the mid - South . It is grown for pastures and is democratic for lawn , golf course and act theater of operations .
Roots of Kentucky bluegrass develop from the lymph gland of its surreptitious rootstalk and from shoots that produce from the crown of the grass , that stage where the stalk meet the ground . These tiller or shoots grow together to form a dense sod . Kentucky Bluegrass Region grow speedily in the drop and spring and slows in the summer .
Kentucky blue grass should first be mowed when it is 2 in high . After that no more than 1/3 of the height of the skunk should be cut at one clock time . pout it once a calendar week will usually keep it at the recommend 2 inches high . Up to 2 inches of water are required to keep bluegrass growing and immature during spicy summer calendar month .
Grazing Comparison
After a three year study , researchers at Purdue University close that both calf and oxen gain one - half pound more per day grazing on orchardgrass than grazing on tall meadow fescue . After a 10 - year study , researchers in Virginia found that while animals gained more weight grazing on orchardgrass , they granulate more per acre grazing on tall fescue . The research worker concluded that grazing animals preferred orchardgrass over tall fescue or bluegrass .
Other Bluegrsses
unsmooth Bluegrass Country ( Poa trivialis ) , similar to Kentucky bluegrass , can be grown as a turf sess . It grows well in shaded moist sphere , but does not tolerate drouth or heat .
Annual bluegrass ( Poa annua ) is a common locoweed on lawn , sward and golf courses , having open from Europe around the world . It also develop in vegetable and other agricultural crops . The distinctive leave-taking of one-year Bluegrass Region have tips that arc upward , looking like the bow of a gravy holder . Bulbose Bluegrass Region Poa ( bulbosus ) is another bluegrass that originate as a weed in lawn , golf courses and turf .
