Qualities

Creeping bentgrass is a cool-season specialty grass primarily used for golf course putting greens, lawn bowling greens, and lawn tennis facilities. The skill and expense needed to maintain this species usually eliminates it as a possible home lawn turf. It is adapted to cool, humid regions and prefers sunny areas but will tolerate some shade. It tolerates low temperatures but will discolor early in the fall.

Identifying tips

A very fine-textured bright green grass. The leaves are flat, narrow, and rolled in the bud. There are no auricles and a long, tapered ligule is present. Creeping bentgrass is a low-growing grass with a shallow root system. It spreads by stolons to form a mat or thatch layer above the soil line.

Maintenance

High maintenance. Creeping bentgrass requires frequent watering, mowing, aerating, and dethatching, and high levels of fertilizer.

Planting and management tips for creeping bentgrass

Mowing

Mow at 0.5 inch or less.
Mow frequently to avoid scalping injury.

Fertilizing

Fertilize with 4 - 6 lbs. nitrogen/1000 sq. ft. per year during the period of active growth (March - June; September - November).

Planting

Seed at 0.5 - 1 lb. seed/1000 sq. ft.

Irrigation

Water fairly frequently to maintain the shallow root system.

Special problems

Very susceptible to most turfgrass diseases and insects
Invasive
Very low traffic tolerance
Frequent and close mowing requirements
Low drought tolerance
Produces heavy thatch