Bentgrass for Home Lawns – Description, Advantages, Maintenance

Bentgrass is one of the most beautiful types of grass you will ever see. Just ask any golfer as he stands on a bentgrass tee box, walks a bentgrass fairway, or puts on a bentgrass putting green. Even though it is very difficult to grow and maintain, many people are transitioning their lawn at their residence onto a bentgrass lawn. This project is not for the weak heart as it is very expensive and can be difficult to obtain excellent results. However, if you take the time to learn how to plant and grow bentgrass properly, you’ll be rewarded with the most amazing-looking lawn in your neighborhood.

If you are a golf course superintendent, then you already know all about bentgrass, how beautiful it is in how to best use it. The issue for the golf course superintendent concerning bentgrass is normally where to buy it and how to obtain grass seed at the lowest possible price.

There are probably over 100 different varieties of bentgrass seed. Only a handful of these different bentgrass seed varieties are in widespread use around the country. We will talk a little about the different varieties of bentgrass seed and what makes them different from each other.

Description:

Bentgrass is a cool-season perennial grass known for its fine, dense, and bluish-green blades. It spreads primarily through stolons, above-ground runners that root at intervals, creating a thick carpet-like effect. While several bentgrass varieties exist, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is the most common type encountered in lawns.

Agrostis stolonifera

Agrostis stolonifera is by far one of the most popular bentgrass seeds available for purchase today.  It is used by some of the finest golf courses in the country for greens, fairways, and tee boxes. Motivated homeowners have also successfully used bentgrass in their lawn, which, by the way, looks just amazing.

I followed the progress of a gentleman from Wisconsin who tore out his front lawn and seeded with bentgrass and not only does it germinate quickly, it looks amazing!

I believe it was around 37 days after he seeded when it looked fully established and ready to play on. I doubt he’ll ever hit any golf balls off of it, but if he did, he’s been able to drown some seed down and in short order you’d never even know there was a divot there.

Establishment & Maintenance of Bentgrass

1. When you plant the seed, do so in order to make sure that good seed to soil contact is made, and make sure to keep seedlings moist until they have become well-rooted. Make sure that you don’t put down more than 1/4″ deep of seed.
2. The seed will germinate in about 7-15 days, but it all depends on what the soil temperature is, as it should be warm, but not hot
3. Most people find that they can mow the bentgrass lawn within the first 30 days. Just make sure the grass has taken root, and then mow.
4. When you do mow, keep it at a 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) height of cut or lower until turf is very well established.
5. If you have planted the bentgrass to be a putting green, then the optimum mowing height is 3/16 – 5/16 inches (4.8 – 7.9 mm) but can be adjusted higher or lower depending upon maintenance practices and intended use.
6. We know you are probably really excited, so expect limited, light use of the area in about 6 weeks.
7. Agrostis stolonifera performs best in soils with a pH of 5.5 to 8.
8. Did you know tt has a moderate nitrogen requirement? Put down 1 – 2 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet every year, and we think you will find that is adequate for most situations.
9. Agrostis stolonifera performs best in sandy soils. However, it will tolerate clay soils if you’ve made appropriate considerations to have adequate drainage.
10. We have found that bentgrass in general do not do well in wet areas; however,  bentgrass can do very well in saturated soil conditions, but only for short periods.

If you are planting a new lawn, or putting green, etc., then you will need 1-2 pounds of bentgrass seed for every 1,000 square feet you wish to plant. You will find that the germination of this seed is excellent at around 80%, and that because of the strict standards, and the cleaning process that this seed undergoes, the rate of weeds amongst this seed is as close to zero as you can get.

More Bentgrass Characteristics:

• Strong seedling vigor
• Aggressive growth and good wear tolerance
• Medium-dark green color
• Good Dollar Spot resistance

How Many Seeds in a Pound of Bentgrass Seed?

If you’ve never seen bentgrass seed, it is amazingly small. Some people have referred to it as “dust-like”, but to answer the question specifically, there are something like 8,000,000 seeds per every pound of bentgrass seed. This is one of the big reasons that bentgrass likes to “creep”, hence the term, “creeping bentgrass”, which is also why you get such a nice full lawn so quickly with bentgrass.

Now, some may take exception with my number of 8,000,000 seeds per pound; some feel there are more like only 4,000,000. I am not sure if anyone has sat down and counted them out, but it may vary between different kinds of bentgrass.

Advantages:

• Aesthetic Appeal: Undoubtedly, bentgrass boasts exceptional visual appeal. Its fine texture creates a smooth, putting-green-like surface, perfect for those who prioritize a flawless lawn.
• Resilience: Bentgrass tolerates moderate foot traffic well, making it suitable for homes with active families.
• Shade Tolerance: Compared to some warm-season grasses, bentgrass exhibits moderate shade tolerance, offering some flexibility in landscaping.

Maintenance Challenges:

• High Maintenance: Bentgrass is notoriously high maintenance. It demands frequent mowing (think daily at a very low height), consistent watering – often multiple times a day –, and meticulous fertilization to maintain its pristine appearance.
• Scalping Susceptible: because of its shallow root system, bentgrass is highly susceptible to scalping, leaving unsightly brown patches if not mowed meticulously.
• Disease Prone: Bentgrass is susceptible to various diseases, particularly in hot and humid conditions. Maintaining a healthy lawn requires proactive fungicide applications, adding to the workload.
• Water Demands: Frequent watering, especially during hot weather, can be a significant burden on water resources and utility bills.
• Fertilizer Needs: Strict fertilization schedules with specific types of fertilizer are necessary to maintain the ideal balance for bentgrass health.

Before You Decide:

Bentgrass can be a magnificent addition to a home lawn, but its demanding nature makes it a commitment. Consider your lifestyle, budget, and climate before making a decision.

Here are some additional factors to weigh:

• Climate: Bentgrass thrives in cool, humid regions. If you live in a hot and dry climate, bentgrass might struggle to survive.
• Time Commitment: Maintaining a bentgrass lawn requires significant time and dedication. Be honest about the amount of time you can realistically dedicate to lawn care.
• Water Availability: Frequent watering can be a strain on resources. Evaluate your water availability and potential costs.
• Alternatives: Several low-maintenance, cool-season grass varieties offer a good balance between aesthetics and practicality.

If a low-maintenance lawn is a priority, bentgrass might not be the best choice. However, for those willing to invest the time and resources, bentgrass can create a stunning, functional lawn.