{"id":26939,"date":"2024-08-13T18:35:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T18:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=26939"},"modified":"2026-03-11T21:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:43:05","slug":"how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for a Bentgrass Lawn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bentgrasses are high-maintenance turfgrasses that need frequent watering, mowing, fertilization, dethatching, and aeration. We\u2019ll go over how to care for a bentgrass lawn so you too can enjoy the soft feel of bentgrass beneath your feet.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-87a7fa91-e349-412e-a097-a3fb318cf205\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article, we\u2019ll talk about:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#0-the-basics-of-bentgrass-lawn-care\" style=\"\">The basics of bentgrass lawn care<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#1-mow-low-and-mow-often\" style=\"\">Mow low and mow often<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#2-water-frequently\" style=\"\">Water frequently<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#3-feed-with-fertilizer\" style=\"\">Feed with fertilizer<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#4-dethatch-and-aerate-yearly\" style=\"\">Dethatch and aerate yearly<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#5-watch-for-pests-and-diseases\" style=\"\">Watch for pests and diseases<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#6-weed-carefully\" style=\"\">Weed carefully<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#7-how-to-establish-a-bentgrass-lawn\" style=\"\">How to establish a bentgrass lawn<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-bentgrass-lawn\/#10-faqs-about-caring-for-a-bentgrass-lawn\" style=\"\">FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-the-basics-of-bentgrass-lawn-care\"><span id=\"the-basics-of-bentgrass-lawn-care\">The basics of bentgrass lawn care<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because they\u2019re very similar, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-creeping-bentgrass\/\">creeping bentgrass<\/a> and colonial bentgrass have similar care requirements. We\u2019ll talk about any differences in each section<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But before that, you can take a look at the conditions bentgrasses grow best in:<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Creeping bentgrass:<\/strong><\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Agrostis_stolonifera_sl1.jpg\" alt=\"creeping bentgrass out front of a house\" class=\"wp-image-25940\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Agrostis_stolonifera_sl1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Agrostis_stolonifera_sl1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Agrostis_stolonifera_sl1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Agrostis_stolonifera_sl1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Agrostis_stolonifera_sl1-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Agrostis_stolonifera_sl1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stefan.lefnaer<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Soil type: <\/strong>Prefers moist soils with good drainage; also can grow in sand<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5\u20136.5, but it can also grow in higher pH soils<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate to low&nbsp;<\/li>    <li><strong>Drought resistance: <\/strong>Low<\/li>    <li><strong>Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>    <li><strong>Salt resistance: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>    <li><strong>Cold tolerance: <\/strong>High<\/li>    <li><strong>Potential for disease: <\/strong>High; most susceptible to dollar spot and brown spot<\/li>    <li><strong>Insect pest tolerance: <\/strong>Low<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Colonial bentgrass:<\/strong><\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"727\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Bentgrass-1.jpg\" alt=\"closeup of bentgrass\" class=\"wp-image-26944\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Bentgrass-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Bentgrass-1-300x273.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Bentgrass-1-768x698.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Bentgrass-1-610x554.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gewoon_struisgras_Agrostis_tenuis.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Rasbak<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Soil type: <\/strong>Tolerates poor soil conditions, but prefers moist and fertile soil<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5\u20136.5<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Shade tolerance: <\/strong>Moderate&nbsp;<\/li>    <li><strong>Drought resistance: <\/strong>Low<\/li>    <li><strong>Foot traffic tolerance: <\/strong>Very low<\/li>    <li><strong>Salt resistance: <\/strong>Low<\/li>    <li><strong>Cold tolerance: <\/strong>High<\/li>    <li><strong>Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>    <li><strong>Insect pest tolerance: <\/strong>Low<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-mow-low-and-mow-often\"><span id=\"mow-low-and-mow-often\">Mow low and mow often<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bentgrasses thrive when they\u2019re mowed low \u2013 much lower than other cool-season grasses. Creeping bentgrass can be mowed even shorter than colonial bentgrass.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Type of bentgrass<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Recommended mowing height<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Mow at this height<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Creeping bentgrass<\/td><td>0.125 &#8211; 0.25 inches<\/td><td>0.75 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Colonial bentgrass<\/td><td>0.5 &#8211; 1 inch<\/td><td>0.75 to 1.5 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note: <\/strong>Mow on the higher end of the recommended height during the summer to improve your lawn\u2019s drought tolerance and heat resistance. You can even go as high as 0.75 inches for your creeping bentgrass lawn.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mow your lawn as soon as your turf gets long enough. You want to only take off <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-mowing-tips-and-tricks\/#21-7-mow-according-to-the-recommended-height\">one-third of your grass blade<\/a> every time you mow.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You don\u2019t want to let bentgrass grow longer than recommended \u2013 otherwise, they develop false crowns.<\/strong> Instead of growing leaves at the base of the plant, bentgrasses grow leaves higher up. This not only leads to a puffy look but also a much higher risk of scalping your lawn as the leaves usually grow at mowing height.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll need to mow your bentgrass lawn <strong>once a week<\/strong>. During the peak growing seasons of fall and spring, you may even need to <strong>mow two or three times a week<\/strong>. You can always check your turf\u2019s height so you know if it\u2019s in need of a trim.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What time should I mow my bentgrass lawn? <\/strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/the-best-time-to-cut-grass\/\">best time to mow your lawn<\/a> is in the <strong>mid-morning<\/strong> when the grass is dry but before it gets too hot. You can learn more about proper mowing in our guide here: <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-mow-lawn\/\">&#8220;How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-water-frequently\"><span id=\"water-frequently\">Water frequently<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/watering-garden.jpeg\" alt=\"Hand holding water hose and watering to the plant in outdoor garden \" class=\"wp-image-23636\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/watering-garden.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/watering-garden-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/watering-garden-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/watering-garden-610x406.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/hand-holding-water-hose-and-watering-to-the-plant-in-outdoor-garden\/231819254\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SKT Studio<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bentgrasses need to be watered often. Their short roots aren\u2019t able to make use of water that\u2019s deeper in the soil when you irrigate deeply. However, you also need to make sure you\u2019re not overwatering your bentgrass lawn.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How often do you need to water a bentgrass lawn?<\/strong> It will depend on the weather. However, an easy way to determine if your bentgrass needs watering is by looking for the telltale <strong>signs of dehydration<\/strong>:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Footprints in the grass after walking on it<\/li>    <li>Grass color becomes dull<\/li>    <li>Wilting leaf blades<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the summer, you may need to water your lawn more often.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How much water does a bentgrass lawn need? <\/strong>It will need 1 inch of water per week, up to 1.5 inches in hotter weather.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is also a more scientific method to determine how much water your grass needs that involves getting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/news\/what_is_evapotranspiration_and_why_it_matters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">evapotranspiration rate<\/a> and recent rainfall data in your area, but it\u2019s not something to worry about unless you\u2019re under drought conditions.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What time should I water a bentgrass lawn? <\/strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-water-grass\/\">best time to water your lawn<\/a> is in the early morning (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.) before it gets too hot and the water evaporates before your grass can drink it up. The only exception is during very hot days \u2013 like in the summer. You will likely need to give your bentgrass lawn a <strong>light misting during the midday<\/strong> to cool it down.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can learn more about watering your lawn properly in our guide on lawn irrigation: <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/definitive-guide-watering-your-lawn\/\">&#8220;The Definitive Guide to Watering your Lawn&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-feed-with-fertilizer\"><span id=\"feed-with-fertilizer\">Feed with fertilizer<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/fertilizing-1.jpeg\" alt=\"One woman farmer is fertilizing the lawn soil. Fertilizer For Lawns in springtime for the perfect lawn.\" class=\"wp-image-26725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/fertilizing-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/fertilizing-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/fertilizing-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/fertilizing-1-610x406.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/one-woman-farmer-is-fertilizing-the-lawn-soil-fertilizer-for-lawns-in-springtime-for-the-perfect-lawn\/503286122\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LeviaUA<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bentgrasses are fairly hungry grasses compared to other species of turf, with creeping bentgrass needing more nitrogen than colonial. Here are their nitrogen needs:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Creeping bentgrass: <\/strong>4 &#8211; 6 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.<\/li>    <li><strong>Colonial bentgrass: <\/strong>3 &#8211; 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can divide this total into three or four applications over the year. However, keep in mind that these are their <em>nitrogen <\/em>(N) requirements. Your bentgrass also needs phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to grow properly.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To calculate how much fertilizer you need to apply, you\u2019ll need to do some calculations based on the fertilizer ratio (noted by three numbers corresponding to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-fertilizer-basics-what-to-look-for-in-your-fertilizer\/#2-what-is-n-p-k\">N-P-K<\/a>) you\u2019ll be using:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>(1 pound of nitrogen) \/ (nitrogen percentage in fertilizer, converted to a decimal) = how many pounds of fertilizer you need to apply per 1,000 square feet.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can learn more about it in our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-fertilize-your-lawn-2\/\">lawn fertilization<\/a>, which will also teach you how to fertilize your lawn properly.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fertilize your bentgrass lawn during the active growing seasons of spring and fall. Bentgrass typically grows best from March to June and from September to November, so <strong>early spring and early fall <\/strong>are the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-is-the-best-time-to-fertilize-lawn\/#1-is-your-lawn-cool-season-or-warm-season\">best times to fertilize your lawn<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Richard Duble, a turfgrass specialist with the <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-hort.tamu.edu\/plantanswers\/turf\/publications\/Bent.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas A&amp;M University Extension<\/a>, suggests avoiding heavy fertilizer use during the hotter periods of late spring and late summer\/early fall because your turf will expend a lot of carbohydrates (food) to grow \u2013 not ideal.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-dethatch-and-aerate-yearly\"><span id=\"dethatch-and-aerate-yearly\">Dethatch and aerate yearly<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration comparing healthy grass and unhealthy grass, showing thick thatch layer above soil on unhealthy side and dense roots on healthy side.\" class=\"wp-image-45317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration-610x305.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both colonial and creeping bentgrass are heavy thatch producers, producing up to \u00bd inch of thatch a year. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-thatch\/\">thatch layer<\/a> is the layer of organic material (such as roots and leaves) in between grass and the soil. Too much thatch is unhealthy for your turf and invites pests and diseases.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of this, bentgrasses need <strong>yearly dethatching and aeration<\/strong> \u2013 perhaps even twice a year, if your lawn really needs it. You\u2019ll need to do this once in the fall and once in the spring.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What\u2019s the difference between dethatching and aeration? <\/strong>Dethatching<strong> <\/strong>is the process of <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-dethatching\/\">removing excess thatch<\/a> from your lawn. On the other hand, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscaping-lawn-aeration-benefits\/\">lawn aeration<\/a> is the process of poking holes in the soil to loosen it, letting nutrients, water, and air get to your turf\u2019s roots. You can learn more in our guide here: <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/difference-between-dethatching-and-aeration\/\">&#8220;Difference Between Dethatching and Aeration&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aeration helps thatch decompose properly, which cuts down on how much you need to dethatch your lawn.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-watch-for-pests-and-diseases\"><span id=\"watch-for-pests-and-diseases\">Watch for pests and diseases<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/white-grub_800.jpg\" alt=\"White grub on soil\" class=\"wp-image-10230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/white-grub_800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/white-grub_800-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/white-grub_800-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/white-grub_800-610x416.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">White grub <br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/memotions\/245764465\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Patty O&#8217;Hearn Kickham<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, bentgrasses are prone to a variety of pests and diseases. Here are the pests and diseases you might see on your bentgrass lawn:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Pests<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Diseases<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pest-control-natural-ways-to-get-rid-of-ants\/\">Ants<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms\/\">Armyworms<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-billbugs\/\">Billbugs<\/a><br>Cutworms (a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-caterpillars-in-yard\/\">type of caterpillar<\/a>)<br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-chinch-bugs\/\">Hairy chinch bugs<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles\/\">Japanese beetles<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-sod-webworms\/\">Sod webworms<\/a><br>Thrips<br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-grubs-in-your-lawn\/\">White grubs<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-moles-and-gophers\/\">Moles and voles<\/a><br>Canada geese<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-anthracnose\/\">Anthracnose<\/a><br>Bentgrass leaf blight<br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-brown-patch\/\">Brown patch<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-dollar-spot\/\">Dollar spot<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-fairy-ring-how-to-get-rid-of-it\/\">Fairy ring<\/a><br>Fusarium blight<br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-powdery-mildew-on-lawn\/\">Powdery mildew<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pythium-blight\/\">Pythium blight<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-red-thread\/\">Red thread<\/a><br>Snow molds (<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-pink-snow-mold\/\">pink<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-gray-snow-mold\/\">gray<\/a>)<br>Take-all patch (take-all root rot)<br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-rust-in-the-lawn\/\">Turfgrass rust<\/a><br>Yellow patch<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will need to closely monitor your bentgrass lawn for pests and diseases so that you can handle them before the problem gets out of control.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have pests, you will need to contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/pestgnome.com\">pest control company<\/a> if your efforts to get rid of them fail. You also can try adopting <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/integrated-pest-management-lawn\/\">Integrated Pest Management<\/a> to keep pests at bay.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, it\u2019s best to apply <strong>preventative fungicides<\/strong> on your bentgrass lawn instead of treating an existing fungal disease.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proper lawn care (especially proper watering) also will help prevent pests and diseases.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-weed-carefully\"><span id=\"weed-carefully\">Weed carefully<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/gardening-2518377_1280.jpg\" alt=\"person wearing gloves while holding weeds they pulled from the ground\" class=\"wp-image-23077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/gardening-2518377_1280.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/gardening-2518377_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/gardening-2518377_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/gardening-2518377_1280-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/gardening-agriculture-grass-plant-2518377\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, weed control for bentgrass lawns is kind of tricky. Bentgrasses are rather sensitive grasses that can be killed by some selective <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-tips-post-emergent-herbicides\/\">post-emergent herbicides<\/a>, particularly 2,4-D (unless specifically made to be used on bentgrass).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This poses an issue as bentgrass isn\u2019t super resilient against weeds either, especially when it goes dormant in the summer. So, you should prioritize <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-and-how-to-apply-pre-emergent-herbicides\/\"><strong>pre-emergent herbicide<\/strong><\/a><strong> applications <\/strong>to prevent weeds from germinating in the first place.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In less than desirable conditions, bentgrasses can also lose to annual bluegrass \u2013 a very <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/common-lawn-weeds\/\">common lawn weed<\/a>. It\u2019s especially vulnerable to annual bluegrass when grown in shade and mowed lower than recommended.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you do need to get rid of weeds, <strong>manual weed control methods<\/strong> (pulling and digging) will be safer for your bentgrass lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-how-to-establish-a-bentgrass-lawn\"><span id=\"how-to-establish-a-bentgrass-lawn\">How to establish a bentgrass lawn<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can grow a bentgrass lawn using seeds, sod, and plugs. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-plant-grass-seed\/\">Planting grass seeds<\/a> is the most accessible way to establish bentgrass; sod and plugs are not easy for a homeowner to buy.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How much bentgrass seed do I need? <\/strong>It depends on how large of an area you want to seed. Generally, you\u2019ll need 0.5 to 1 pound of bentgrass seed per 1,000 square feet. You can calculate it using a formula in this guide: <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/grow-grass\/#14-how-to-calculate-how-much-grass-seed-you-need-to-buy\">&#8220;How to Grow Grass&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll want to spread the bentgrass seed on a layer of sand to help it root. Then, spread a \u00bc-inch layer of soil or less over the seeds. We also recommend spreading mulch over the bentgrass seed to help keep it moist.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-when-to-plant-creeping-bentgrass\"><span id=\"when-to-plant-creeping-bentgrass\">When to plant creeping bentgrass<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-plant-grass-seed\/\">best time to plant bentgrass<\/a> is spring or early fall when the temperature is <strong>55 degrees Fahrenheit<\/strong>. In golfing greens in the South, early fall is the preferred time as the grass doesn\u2019t have to contend with the scorching summer heat.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-how-to-care-for-new-bentgrass-seed\"><span id=\"how-to-care-for-new-bentgrass-seed\">How to care for new bentgrass seed<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lot of work goes into caring for new grass, but the most important part is keeping the new seed and seedlings moist; drying out will lead to <em>dying out<\/em>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Newly-planted bentgrass will need to be watered anywhere between <strong>five to seven times a day<\/strong>. According to Duble, the turfgrass specialist, you can reduce your watering sessions down to two or three times daily if you use mulch.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can learn more about irrigating grass seed in these guides:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-often-water-grass-seed\/\">&#8220;How Often to Water Grass Seed&#8221;<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-long-to-water-new-grass-seed\/\">&#8220;How Long to Water New Grass Seed&#8221;<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You also can use a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/starter-fertilizer\/\">starter fertilizer<\/a> when planting bentgrass to provide the new grass with the proper nutrients to grow strong.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-faqs-about-caring-for-a-bentgrass-lawn\"><span id=\"faqs-about-caring-for-a-bentgrass-lawn\">FAQs about caring for a bentgrass lawn<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-where-does-bentgrass-grow-best\"><span id=\"where-does-bentgrass-grow-best\">Where does bentgrass grow best?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bentgrasses are better suited to the climates of New England and the Pacific Northwest. Creeping bentgrass is grown even in the South \u2013 mostly on golf greens \u2013 but it requires a lot of time, effort, and money to keep green.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-how-long-does-it-take-for-bentgrass-to-germinate\"><span id=\"how-long-does-it-take-for-bentgrass-to-germinate\">How long does it take for bentgrass to germinate?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bentgrasses take anywhere from seven to 14 days to germinate. However, some varieties have fast germination rates and take as little as five days to sprout.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-do-i-need-a-reel-lawn-mower-for-bentgrass\"><span id=\"do-i-need-a-reel-lawn-mower-for-bentgrass\">Do I need a reel lawn mower for bentgrass?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mowing bentgrass at the heights it prefers may be difficult on a rotary mower. If your rotary mower can\u2019t go that low, you may need to use a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-reel-lawn-mowers\/\">reel mower<\/a>.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-hire-a-professional-to-care-for-your-bentgrass-lawn\"><span id=\"hire-a-professional-to-care-for-your-bentgrass-lawn\">Hire a professional to care for your bentgrass lawn<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bentgrasses are some of the most high-maintenance grasses you can get for your lawn. You have to be prepared if you\u2019re set on growing this type of grass. But if it gets too much for you, don\u2019t worry; Lawn Love\u2019s pros can help keep your bentgrass lawn in top shape. Connect with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-mowing\">local lawn care pro<\/a> today.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-c3063fad-63f2-4c6f-b820-ebc762ae1ba5\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"true\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-82d39ce4-6214-4113-9d0a-d11ed5de4762\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-c3063fad-63f2-4c6f-b820-ebc762ae1ba5\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-c3063fad-63f2-4c6f-b820-ebc762ae1ba5\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>Source<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-c3063fad-63f2-4c6f-b820-ebc762ae1ba5\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/outreach\/index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Michigan State University Extension<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/soilcrop.tamu.edu\/research\/turfgrass\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas A&amp;M University Extension<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.m.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Agrostis_pallens_turf.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ruff tuff cream puff<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC0 1.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> Bentgrasses like being mowed low \u2013 around 1 inch or less. They also need a lot of water. Learn more about the specifics of bentgrass lawn care in this guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":26949,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[376,226,375,141],"class_list":["post-26939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-aeration","tag-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-fertilization","tag-weed-control"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/bentgrass-closeu-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Janine Caayao","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/janine-caayao\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26939"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45349,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26939\/revisions\/45349"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}