This Is The Softest Turfgrass Variety, But Is It Worth The Maintenance?

Homeowners may want a soft lawn to stroll through barefoot, but it matters what type of grass you choose. Many varieties that are commonly used in lawns, such as buffalo grass and Kentucky bluegrass, are chosen for their hardiness. While practical, they are not the softest options. If you're looking for turfgrass that feels lush, velvety, and expensive, bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) might be a good option for you.

The fine-textured and cool-season bentgrass is sought after for its soft feel and bright green hue. It forms a dense mat that is plush and tolerates low mowing, making it a frequent choice for golf courses and those with high-end lawns. Bentgrass spreads by stolons, which are horizontal stems that grow along the surface of the soil. This helps it maintain even ground coverage and recover quickly from wear. The only catch is that bentgrass requires more maintenance than most turfgrasses. It needs heavy fertilizing, frequent mowing, and regular watering. If you are able and willing to put in the work for this tantalizingly supple lawn, it's well worth the pursuit.

You will want to make sure the conditions of your yard are right to grow bentgrass. It prefers a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5, so test your soil and amend as needed. The optimal time to seed your lawn is in the fall or spring, either before or after the frost. While bentgrass is well-suited for cool, humid climates, it can be grown in hot, dry areas. However, that may mean more frequent watering. Because bentgrass has roots that are closer to the surface than other grasses, frequent hydration is needed to keep it from drying out. It requires about 1 inch of water each week, whether from rainfall or irrigation. It is best to give it a good drink in the morning, so the grass dries before nighttime. Bentgrass likes moist, but not soggy soil. Sitting in water too long can lead to fungus growth. 

Bentgrass also needs an ample amount of nitrogen, so be ready to add it to your soil. Creeping bentgrass will need 4 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet annually, while colonial bentgrass will need 3 to 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet. To maintain that golf course look, you will need to mow bentgrass when it reaches 1 to 2 inches. You can cut it down to 0.25 to 0.75 inches, but do not go lower than one-third of its length at a time. Mowing bentgrass at a low height also encourages denser growth.

Additional maintenance will likely be needed to keep your lawn healthy. Bentgrass can produce up to half an inch of thatch, which is the layer of organic material between the grass and soil, per year. Excessive amounts can invite pests and diseases, so you will need to dethatch your lawn once in the spring and then again in the fall. Another method to help reduce the amount of thatch is aeration, which allows nutrients, water, and air to reach your grass' roots more easily. This task should be undertaken in the spring and fall.

Unfortunately, bentgrass can be prone to several common lawn diseases, such as grubs, beetles, mold, and fungal infections. Applying preventative fungicides and using pest control services or integrated pest management strategies could help with disease but keep in mind that bentgrass is known to be sensitive to chemicals. You should monitor your lawn for signs of poor health, but remember prevention is the best method of protection.