The study was initiated with Kentucky bluegrass (KB, Poa pratensis L.) to investigate germination and early establishment characteristics of new cultivars for a practical application to turfgrass establishment such as parks, athletic field and golf course etc. Fifteen cultivars were evaluated in different experiments. An alternative condition for a KB germination test required by International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was applied in Experiment I, consisting of 8-hr light at $25^{\circ}C$ and 16-hr dark at $15^{\circ}C$ (ISTA conditions). Experiment II was conducted under a room temperature condition of 5 to $25^{\circ}C$ (natural conditions). Seed germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time were measured in both experiments. Significant differences were observed in seed germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time. Seed germinating vigor was variable with different environments and cultivars. It was 75.25 to 89.50% under ISTA conditions and 75.75 to 90.25% under natural conditions. There were considerable variations in early germination characteristics among KB cultivars according to different environments. Early germination characteristics showed that all cultivars were 3 to 5 days faster in germination under ISTA conditions, when compared with natural conditions. The germination speed, measured as days to seed germination of 50% to 80%, was much faster with 'Midnight II', 'Excursion' and 'Midnight' under ISTA conditions. But it was faster with 'Midnight II', 'Excursion' and 'Odyssey' under natural conditions. Differences was also observed in germination peak time with cultivars and growing conditions. It ranged 5.94 to 14.88 days under ISTA conditions and 4.71 to 13.06 days under natural conditions. Regardless of the environment conditions, the shortest cultivars were 'Odyssey' and 'Midnight II'. The longest ones were 'Nuglade' under ISTA condition and 'Moonlight' under natural conditions. Considering germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time, 'Midnight II', 'Excursion', 'Midnight', and 'Odyssey' were regarded as excellent cultivars under ISTA conditions in terms of early establishment characteristics, while 'Midnight II', 'Excursion', 'Odyssey', and 'Courtyard' under natural conditions. These results suggest that an intensive germination test be needed prior to planting, for investigating the early germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time. Also, a proper cultivar selection and comprehensive site analysis for the growing environmental conditions should be done before turfgrass establishment such as golf course construction.