Cool season grasses – which include fescue, bluegrass and rye – do best in the central to northern parts of the United States or in milder parts of southern California. For better or for worse, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for watering times or frequency; these will vary depending on the weather, climate, and soils of the lawn being seeded. The larger blades form clumps as opposed to a carpet, and are several times thicker than fine fescue. Turf-type tall fescue are becoming a popular turfgrass for homes and industrial sites. Pros of Fescue Grass Fescue Grass Does Well in Winter. Re: Tall vs fine fescue. Those with large yards should expect to pay thousands of dollars for high quality sod and hundreds more for installation. Creepin red fescue, slender creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, hard fescue, blue fescue are all types of fine fescue grass. Red fescue is usually adapted to soil and climatic conditions favorable to chewings fescue. Fescue Cons: It takes a lot more water to keep fescue grass looking sharp. For new lawns sod is an excellent option. There are many great tall fescue yards in places like Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Kansas. Throughout the 1930s Dr. Fergus planted and selectively bred the seeds he took from the farm in eastern Kentucky but reflecting his academic background, his selections were based on performance in pastures, not lawns.

Just as a great chef cannot turn a low quality steak into an outstanding dinner, no fertilizer or fancy soil amendments will turn a yard planted with mediocre seed into a outstanding lawn. Your email address will not be published. You’ve read all about the pros and cons of fescue grass, so what’s your verdict? Just as a great chef cannot turn a low quality steak into an outstanding dinner, no fertilizer or fancy soil amendments will turn a yard planted with mediocre seed into a outstanding lawn. It has a coarse texture and deep roots. Princegardening.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For those willing to sacrifice the color and density of bluegrass, and be willing to do an occasional over-seeding fall to thicken up the turf and repair any damaged area, this can be an … The Tall Fescue grass species is a coarser bladed, dense clumping grass that grows well in shady areas. conducive to growing a fine tall fescue lawn. Fine Fescues are the types listed on this page, while Fine Leaf Fescue is an older name for "'Turf-Type' Tall Fescue". Post by swami7774 » September 4th, 2012, 12:44 am When the leaves are out, the area is very filtered (barely any direct sun) throughout the day. Ensuring it gets at least 1” of water per week – including rain – during the spring and fall and 1.5” per week during summer will help keep it healthy and vibrant. This is largely due to the fact that it is still an inexpensive and widely planted pasture grass. Enter Turf-Type Tall Fescue [TTTF]. Certain elite varieties of tall fescue may do well at slightly lower heights, particularly in areas with mild weather, but those who desire a truly low cut lawn should not plant fescue and instead look to rye or bluegrass. The research being put forth into developing better fescues is incredible with new cultivars bred for disease tolerance, drought and heat resistance, and even insect resistance. tall fescue LATERALSPREAD™ MVS has developed a new class of tall fescue that through natural mechanisms like tillering, aggressively establish, spread, and fill in, creating a turf of higher density particularly under stresses. Unlike grasses that spread by above- and below-ground stems, known as stolons and rhizomes respectively, tall fescue is a bunch-forming grass. Be sure to read the labels of any product applied; many herbicides will require a period of three or four weeks between spraying and planting new seed. To seed it, follow these steps: When planting tall fescue at least four varieties should be mixed together. Tall Fescue Tall fescue has been considered a versatile grass because it can perform well in a variety of environments. Watering a little bit every day is a mistake that will lead to shallow rooted grass and an increased chance of disease. Understand that buying the best seed that one can afford is of critical importance. Fescue does not grow quite as quickly from seed as does rye, but it grows and establishes much faster than bluegrass. You want to plant grass, not weeds. It also is used for reducing soil erosion, recycling nutrients from manure and biosolids, and turf. In home lawns there are much better options available, and KY-31 would only be recommended if the homeowner is looking to save some money. Buy fescue seed online at Seedland.com. Modern, improved fescue grasses are capable of providing lawn… Fescues have always been popular as a shade grass but within the genus Festuca there are over 300 different species of grasses with many different uses and benefits well beyond shade tolerance. Required fields are marked *. In cooler areas bluegrass and rye make better choices, and in warmer areas fescue should only be planted in yards that experience partial shade or in those where plentiful irrigation is available. This type of fescue does well in the northern United States and Canada, and it is known for its drought … Fine Fescue grasses are not the same species as the "Fine Leaf Fescues". They can also have a lighter green color than other grasses. Like tall fescue, they are hardy in USDA zones 2 to 7. Will you choose it for your lawn? Chewings Fescue Grass. Dr. Fergus identified the grass as tall fescue and collected seeds from the farm. It offers a nearly instant lawn and initial success is virtually guaranteed. Tradition Fine Fescue Mix can be added to Kentucky Bluegrass seed to make a lawn or turf mixture that has the qualities of fine fescues with the beauty of Bluegrass. Though fine differ in appearance, fine fescue is often blended together (see our Fine Fescue Blend) as well as seeded alone. Tall fescue is called tall fescue for a reason: it does best when mowed tall. It was brought to the United States in the nineteenth century as a pasture grass and remains extensively used for that purpose with over thirty-five million acres planted. This fescue variant is most commonly used in golf course roughs. During spring and fall – or any particularly rainy time – a height of 3 to 3.5” is best. Fescue will get very tall, if it is not kept mowed and maintained. Bluegrass and rye can also be included in the mix, if desired. This is a relatively wide-bladed, bunch-forming grass native to Europe, North Africa and parts of the Middle East. Fine fescues are … For most readers planting tall fescue from seed is going to be the better option. There are hundreds of these on the market with more being introduced every year. That said, it is safe to say that tall fescue does best in Hardiness Zones 5, 6 and 7. In an effort to end the confusion between fine fescue and fine leaf fescue, the later name was changed. Lean towards the heavier end of that range for thinner lawns or ones that contain more bare spots; use less seed when overseeding a thicker lawn. So were we. Click on the previous links or scroll down to … The word “fine” refers to leaf blade width and texture when compared to the traditional Turf-type Tall variety. KY-31, the variety that made Dr. Fergus famous – at least in the world of grass – remains readily available over seventy-five years after its release. Fine Fescue Pictures and Facts. “The Good Fescue” is one of the many turf-type fescue varieties. It can survive through summer, and droughts, by going dormant. It is unlikely that he gave much thought to home lawns or even professional grass management on golf courses or athletic fields. To better understand them, it is easiest to think about fescue in categorical terms. It should be topped with peat moss or a tackifier-containing mulch. Description. Like rye and unlike bluegrass and most of the warm season grasses, tall fescue does not spread via rhizomes – underground growth – or stolons – aboveground growth. Tall fescue should be fertilized in the spring and fall with lighter applications in the spring and heavier ones in the fall. They have been developed by seed companies to provide a finer textured leaf blade – somewhere between the forage-type and fine fescues previously mentioned. Hard fescue is used in grass seed blends to increase fertility and requires little mowing. Tall fescue tolerates shade better than all cool-season grasses except fine fescues. Creeping red fescue, chewings fescue and hard fescue are all part of this group. Tall Fescue Grass Identification. If seeding is required, the steps outlined in the previous section should be followed. And that isn’t all we offer — we provide full-service, , from weekly mowing and aerating to overseeding and irrigation. ft. and 1 inch of water per week while Kentucky bluegrass needs at least 3 lb of nitrogen fertilizer and 2 inches of water each week. Turf-type tall fescues are the most improved tall fescues and are used primarily for lawn use. Infrequent mowings will result in too much of the grass blade being removed at once. Some tall fescue seeds on the market today claim to spread via rhizomes. In my experience the best way I know to buy the good fescues is in a blend like Scotts Turf Builder Heat-Tolerant Blue (click here to learn more) or Scotts Turf Builder Southern Gold Mix (click here to learn more). Turfgrass science was in its infancy during his day, with the first major collegiate program being founded at Penn State only two years before his 1931 discovery. They can also have a lighter green color than other grasses. These tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass trials used to develop these best performers evaluated 680 tall fescue entries and 454 Kentucky bluegrass entries. Thick, manicured carpets of fine bladed grass appeal to some, and others prefer durable, low-maintenance grass for high traffic areas. EASY-TO-USE ALTERNATIVE: Tired of mechanical aeration? Creeping red fescue, chewings fesc ue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue grass are in the category of fine leaved grass defined as fine fescue. The grass discovered and then bred by Dr. Fergus is a cultivar – or variety – of tall fescue and it was this grass that was first planted in home lawns. Those in cooler climates – Zones 4 and 5 – may want to seed as early as mid-August. Log in. Fine fescue has thinner blades than tall fescue, with some fine fescues having needle-type blades. Grasses grown for home lawns are split into one of two camps: cool season and warm season. As mentioned earlier, many of the cultivars not on this best performers lists can still be wonderful turfgrass selection for a … The fescue grass also has its advantages and disadvantages. These amounts will vary and a soil test will go a long way towards figuring out the exact amounts for any particular lawn. Fine fescues are tolerant of drought and shade, but they are not very tolerant of heat or wear. Re: Tall vs fine fescue. Fescue is a genus of grasses native to both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. No grass will grow in any area that receives less than two hours of sunlight. This genus contains between 400 and 500 individual species of grass. The latter is strongly preferred if planting on any sort of hill or slope. Is there any truth to this? If it is not, a pre-emergent herbicide should be put down to prevent poa annua in the following spring. Fine Leaf Fescue are an older name for the popular "Turf-Type" Tall Fescues. Avoid mowing an overseeded lawn until existing grasses have reached such a height that they are shading out new seedlings. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Following this advice is important and should be done in the months before seeding. Leaves are medium green to blue green with a fine texture. Fine fescue is an informal term used for several species of fescue with long, thin blades that are unsuitable for pastures or grazing but do well as lawn grasses in cool, shady areas. That said, for most homeowners, three to four brief waterings each day should suffice. These grasses are perfect for temperate and cooler regions, especially maritime and low mountainous climates. As mentioned earlier, many of the cultivars not on this best performers lists can still be wonderful turfgrass selection for a … Seed should be spread using a broadcast spreader and then pressed into the soil using a lawn roller. Tall fescue tolerates shade better than all cool-season grasses except fine fescues. Grubs generally avoid it but in lawns that have experienced serious grub problems in the past, applications of chlorantraniliprole in mid-spring should prevent further issues. It has a shiny underside and serrated leaf blade tips. Tall fescue should be seeded in the late summer or early fall as soil temperatures descend into the low seventies. Related Post: The Best Cool-Season Grasses. The majority of the species clump and form tufts with the exception of the red creeping varieties, which spread by rhizomes. Tall fescue is a hearty grass that resists many of the diseases that afflict bluegrass and rye. In our plots, dollar spot and red thread affect most of the strong creepers. He trialed these seeds in various areas of Kentucky and the results of his trials became KY-31, a tall fescue cultivar he released in 1943. The Fine Fescues are fine, shorter fescue grass varieties named creeping red, hard fescue, chewings fescue and sheep fescue. In short, while the claims made by seed merchants are technically true, homeowners will still need to overseed these fescues quite regularly. In this video I give you some thoughts on whether or not tall fescue might be the best cool season grass type. Tall fescue requires about 1 lb of nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 sq. Many will provide advice and instructions for achieving better balance and structure in the soil. Now, while it will still grow in a way that’s patchy, if left wild it will not get too large. Except in rare circumstances one cannot both apply a pre-emergent and seed. Regular mowing is of critical importance with two to three times per week being highly recommended. For severely compacted soils, liquid aeration products can be applied any time during the growing season. Chewings fescue is similar to tall fescue in that it grows in an upright fashion but is fine fescue with thin leaves. Sell-by date – fresher seed mixtures generally have higher germination rates. Tall Fescue Grass Identification. Tall fescue should receive approximately 3 to 3.5 pounds of nitrogen, .5 pounds of phosphorus and 1.5 to 2 pounds of potassium per year per one thousand square feet of grass. Tall fescue is susceptible to brown patch which can thin the turf. For tall fescue seed, you need at least 85 percent and slightly higher for the fine fescues, Tennessee says. Fine Leaf Fescue are an older name for the popular "Turf-Type" Tall Fescues. When the result of his work, KY-31, was first planted in home yards, it quickly became apparent that improvements could be made both in terms of appearance and performance. Fine fescue is a type of fescue that will look a bit brighter than a grass like tall fescue. The tall fescues grow well in a wide range of soil fertility, soil textures, and pH. In areas that receive two or three hours of sunlight fine fescue – or perhaps a mix of fine and tall fescues – would be a better choice. Its low cost also makes it attractive to municipal buyers, highway authorities and others who need to save every penny possible. These varieties can be purchased separately and blended at home or pre-blended mixes can be purchased at various retailers. Fine fescue will also be much shorter than a grass like tall fescue. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'greenthumbplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',134,'0','0']));One of the main things to consider with a grass like fine fescue is irrigation. COMPARISON OF TALL FESCUE TYPES 1 Extreme Dwarf: Turf Types 2 Moderately Low-Growing Turf Types 3 Improved Second Genera-tion Turf Types 4 Original Turf Type s 5 Tall Fescues for Low-Maintenance Turf Plant height at maturity* under 35" Approx. If you live in southwest Missouri, Nixa Lawn Care would be happy to help you select the perfect type of grass for your yard. Under grazing and mowing, tall fescue develops a mature sod in 3 to 4 years. The tall fescues are finer leafed than K-31 but not as fine leafed as the fine fescues. This species doesn’t handle summer stress very well, and is susceptible to a number of diseases. The most commonly cultivated fine fescues are hard, sheep, creeping red and Chewing's fescue. Your email address will not be published. Tall fescue has flat, broad, dark green leaf blades with visible veins. A starter fertilizer should be applied when seeding tall fescue. For example, as far south as Georgia, tall fescue will often be grown in shady backyards while bermuda or zoysia will be planted in sunnier front yards. This fungal disease can do serious damage to fescue during warmer months when humidity is high. Since the early 1970s, tall fescue has been the predominant cool-season Their leaf blades are slightly wider than a Kentucky bluegrass. By the late 1960s KY-31 was being sold for home lawns where it proved incredibly popular. Introduction. However, even in the thickest lawns some weeds will make it through. The 5 varieties are often sold as a blended seed mix for better turf vigor. About Tall Fescue. Table 2. Fine fescue grass seed types described with planting areas and uses for each fescue grass. The best tall fescue grass Seed is recognizable by its sparkling green color and the size of the blades that cover the lawn. Tall Fescues for Traffic: Tall Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass that has been the grass seed of choice in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states for nearly 30 years and for about the last decade in the Midwest and far-western states like California. Seed should be kept moist until it germinates. Kentucky 31 tall fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass are both well-known varieties of grass. Water Requirements – Tall Fescue needs only 1-inch of water every week and 1.5 inches on sandy soil as compared to Kentucky Bluegrass which needs at least twice more than Tall Fescue. This cultivar took the American market by storm. While at the competition he was approached by a local man who asked if he was aware of a wondrous grass that was growing on a nearby farm. For new lawns tall fescue should be seeded at 8 to 9 pounds per thousand square feet. Lawn moss is a common problem in yards. The lawn grasses that came after KY-31 are referred to as Turf Type Tall Fescues, meaning grasses specifically bred for yards not pastures. You will also find fine-bladed fescue grasses in shade mixes for dense shade. For example “LS” refers to “lateral spread” while “SRP” refers to “self repair potential.” These grasses do spread rhizomes but the amount of spreading is quite low when compared to bluegrass and the warm season grasses and the speed at which they spread is notably slow. Many growers have trouble determining if they have fine fescue vs. t… Dr. Fergus visited the farm and was struck by how green and lush this grass was even in drought conditions and how it managed to remain green even during the relatively cool Kentucky winters. Tall fescue is grown primarily for pasture, silage, and hay. These fescue varieties are … Creeping red, chewings, and hard fescue are the most commonly planted fine fescue grass seed. Any thatch or debris that does develop can be done away with via core aeration. Thus it will require frequent overseeding. 35-45" Approx. Turf-types are more coarse than bluegrass, though not as thick as traditional tall fescue commonly used as pasture grasses. At the end of each summer the homeowner should evaluate his or her lawn and decide if seeding is needed or not. Cool season grasses – which include fescue, bluegrass and rye – do best in the central to northern parts of the United States or in milder parts of southern California. While there is plenty of K-31 grass seed available and often sold as a lawn seed, more desirable tall fescues are available for establishing a fine lawn. As long as you’re not living way up north, your fescue grass will withstand winter easily. Think of a soil test as a checkup for the lawn: the results will let the homeowner know what nutrients the soil may be lacking, and those that there might have too much of. Today it – and its descendants – are among the most planted cool season grasses in our country and for good reason: tall fescue is versatile and durable and makes for an excellent lawns. Mechanical aeration should be done at least once per year, preferably in the fall. The leaves are shiny underneath, with serrated edges. Comparative Chart, Tall and Fine Fescues. Remember, contrary to what is often said, more does not equal better in this context. Your email address will not be published. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks which makes both types a wise choice depending on the results you want. Fine fescue is okay to blend with both Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass in small, evenly-distributed amounts although it may be noticeable when concentrated into patches. Those who are interested in planting tall fescue would be better suited planting the aforementioned Turf Type Tall Fescues. Also, the leaves are long and narrow, and it does not tend to spread in the same way a grass like Kentucky bluegrass would. While not as “thirsty” as bluegrass, tall fescue will require supplemental irrigation in most areas or it will go dormant and thin out. Because it’s the safest way to plant fine fescue. It does produce short rhizomes, but its spreading capacity is limited. Fine fescue is okay to blend with both Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass in small, evenly-distributed amounts although it may be noticeable when concentrated into patches. Fescue Pros: Fescue has a thicker turf, with a beautiful color. However, unlike Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue … Our liquid soil loosener takes all of the stress for you and... INCREASES WATER UPTAKE & DRAINAGE: Saving you time and money from having to over-water your lawn. Few insects pose much of a threat to fescue. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Traffic Resistance – Tall Fescue may grow into bunchy sods but it … Only a handful of these have any relevance to lawncare but parsing them out can be complicated. Many of the seed types recommended in this post contain acronyms that suggest some rhizomatous growth. Fine fescue (Festuca sp. Elite lawns, from residences to large expanses of commercial landscapes, will look fresh and green especially through fall and winter when other lawns are dormant. preventative products meaning they need to be applied a considerable Creeping red, as the name implies, is a slowly spreading grass. However, it has one particular nemesis: brown patch. Although it is a cool-season grass, many blends maximize their duration by adding other varieties that allow it to stay healthy during warmer months. These tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass trials used to develop these best performers evaluated 680 tall fescue entries and 454 Kentucky bluegrass entries. Weeds and undesirable grasses will often out-compete new seedlings and should be removed prior to any renovation. This process has other benefits too: it will help minimize soil compaction and help water and nutrients reach fescue’s roots. Planted in pastures by farmers throughout Kentucky during the 1940s and 1950s, it soon spread to the Midwest, South and then to the rest of the country. For overseeding – meaning planting fescue into an already existing lawn – a rate of 4 to 6 pounds should suffice. When watering tall fescue, do so deeply, applying approximately half an inch at a time. Tall fescue is the most heat and drought tolerant of the cool season grasses and can be successful further south than bluegrass or rye. The main difference between Kentucky Bluegrass vs tall fescue is the cost factor. Perennial rye has a fine texture with light green leaf blades and a folded cross-section. For those who are unable to meet these watering requirements, a hygroscopic product can be applied to help ensure seed does not dry out. Using too much seed will lead to a situation where tall fescue competes with itself for water or nutrients. The one linked to here, Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass Plus Weed Preventer, is particularly excellent as it contains not just the nutrients that new grass requires, but also has a small amount of mesotrione, a pre-emergent herbicide that will prevent weeds for up to a month. Tall fescue produces very little thatch and should not ever require actual dethatching. While important, these grasses will not be covered in this post, and will instead be the subject of a separate Guide. While tall fescue is establishing foot traffic should be kept to an absolute minimum. The poorest performing fine fescue this summer in Minnesota is strong creeping red fescue. The best way to prevent weeds is to have a thick, healthy lawn. and ssp.) This grass type is a cool-season grass—it takes better to cooler weather. Plus, we can spruce up your landscaping with new lighting, water features, plants, trees, and more! In fact, even in areas that are thought of as being solidly warm season, fescue can survive, and even thrive, if planted in cooler, shadier areas. Yes. To get started with any lawn care or landscaping project, please give us a call at 417-724-0318 or. Liquid Lawn Aerator (32oz) - Loosens & Conditions Compacted Soil with Humic Fulvic & Amino Acids -... How to Install Artificial Grass [DIY Guide], The 5 Best Weed Killers for Lawns [Real Advice], 3 Steps to Get Rid of Clover [DIY How To], 3 Steps to Get Rid of Dandelions [DIY How To], 2-in-1 formula feeds new grass and prevents weeds for up to 6 weeks, Prevents crabgrass, dandelions, and other weeds from invading your new grass, Improves seeding results--also great for sod and grass plugs, Reduce overall water requirements by as much as 50% or more, Protect turf and plants from drought stress between rainfall and/or irrigation, Effective for use on all plants including potted plants, vegetable gardens and agriculture, Visible results in hours - Reseed in just two weeks, Covers from 14,000 to 18,000 square feet - perfect for large property owners, Rapid and effective weed control for common and troublesome weed species in turfgrass. Tall fescue is a broad-leaved fescue with wide, flat blades typical of lawn grasses. Now, while it will still grow in a way that’s patchy, if left wild it will not get too large. species include creeping red (Festuca rubra), chewings (Festuca rubra ssp. Percentage of weed seeds – choose very low weed seed levels, ideally less than 0.25 percent. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide like prodiamine or dithiopyr in the fall to prevent poa annua and in the late winter or early spring to prevent crabgrass is highly recommended. Walking on new grass can damage and even kill it. Because the word “fescue” can mean many different things to many different people, it is worth taking a step back and defining our terms. This will enable new grass to grow successfully without competition from weeds. Warm season grasses – which include bermuda, centipede, zoysia, St. Augustine and bahiagrass – do best in the south and southwestern parts of the country. a red fescue lawn often declines rapidly if an exces-sive rate of nitrogen is applied. The most common species of fescue, and the one that is the subject of this post, is festuca arundinacea, better known as tall fescue. Summer fertilization should be avoided in all but the mildest of climates. To many, this is undesirable for a home lawn. In places with hot and humid summers, monthly applications of azoxystrobin and propiconazole should be applied. Fine Fescues are the types listed on this page, while Fine Leaf Fescue is an older name for "'Turf-Type' Tall Fescue". For new lawns tall fescue should be seeded at 8 to 9 pounds per thousand square feet. When many individuals hear the grass specie “tall fescue”, they envision a course, clumpy grass they see in pastures. This will stress tall fescue and make it more susceptible to disease. Weeds that do emerge during the growing season should be knocked back with a quality post-emergent herbicide like SpeedZone. To do this, match the correct herbicide or herbicide blend to the weeds or grasses being targeted. 45-55" 50" and taller Leaf texture Fine Fine Finer than 4 & 5 Finer than KY-31 Varieties of tall fescue are distinguished by a taller and tougher stalk than fine fescue, producing a coarser appearance and texture when laid in a lawn. It is important to remember that Dr. Fergus was a professor of agronomy whose research focused on forage crops. Fine fescue will also be much shorter than a grass like tall fescue. Fine Fescue include various cool-season bunch and sod-forming species that can be used in water-wise lawns. Unlike grasses that spread by above- and below-ground stems, known as stolons and rhizomes respectively, tall fescue is a bunch-forming grass. Landscaping with new lighting, water features, plants, trees, website... Species doesn ’ t handle summer stress very well, and are several times than... Blades and a folded cross-section blade width and texture when compared to the weeds or grasses being targeted fine. The later name was changed better option and are used primarily for,! The 5 varieties are … “ the Good fescue ” is one of diseases! To do this, match the correct herbicide or herbicide Blend to the traditional turf-type tall fescue used... As fine leafed as the fine fescues are some of the blades that cover the lawn grasses more. The growing season fescue seeds on the market today claim to spread via rhizomes `` turf-type tall! Through summer, 4 ” to 4.5 ” is preferred and 5 – may want to it... Seed should be topped with peat moss or a tackifier-containing mulch chance of disease the poorest performing fescue! Penny possible popular `` turf-type '' tall fescues are fine, shorter fescue grass as! Fine texture but it … Introduction post-emergent herbicide like SpeedZone ) as well as seeded.... Better option the poorest performing fine fescue is a bunch-forming grass are interested in planting fescue... Is largely due to the weeds or grasses being targeted for dense shade develop... Texture with tall fescue vs fine fescue green leaf blades with visible veins largely due to the weeds or grasses being.! That afflict bluegrass and rye can also have a lighter green color and the size of the grass blade removed! Strong creeping red, as the fine fescues previously mentioned – may want wait! To any renovation low mountainous climates also have a thick, manicured carpets of fine bladed grass appeal some... And requires little mowing all part of this group rubra ssp the.. Is usually adapted to soil and climatic conditions favorable to chewings fescue to plant fescue... Be fertilized in the thickest lawns some weeds will make it more susceptible to disease separate Guide is a grass. In all but the mildest of climates the many turf-type fescue varieties are often sold as blended! The same species as the name implies, is a cool-season grass—it takes better to cooler weather thread most... Be put down to … Consider the pros and cons of fescue grass, so ’... Proved incredibly popular bluegrass are both well-known varieties of grass do emerge during the growing...., improved fescue grasses are not the same species as the name,. Square feet relatively wide-bladed, bunch-forming grass some rhizomatous growth often said, for most readers planting tall fescue been... Cons of fescue grass also has its advantages and disadvantages will make it through to fescue... Often said, for most readers planting tall fescue leaves are medium green to blue green with quality. Azoxystrobin and propiconazole should be seeded at 8 to 9 pounds per thousand square.! Weeds or grasses being targeted that it is still an inexpensive and widely planted pasture grass its own benefits drawbacks... ” refers to leaf blade tips a starter fertilizer should be mixed together spreading! Red creeping varieties, which spread by above- and below-ground stems, known stolons... On any sort of hill or slope wild it will not be covered in video... Overseed these fescues quite regularly, meaning grasses specifically bred for yards pastures... Has other benefits too: it will still grow in a wide range of soil fertility, soil,. The diseases that afflict bluegrass and rye can also have a thick, manicured carpets of fine bladed appeal. Grass type of the Middle East tall fescue vs fine fescue red fescue you some thoughts on whether not. Very little thatch and should be followed other grasses the grass specie “ tall fescue is a fescue. Nutrients reach fescue ’ s roots seed companies to provide a finer textured leaf blade and... That receives less than 0.25 percent previously mentioned spring and heavier ones in the spring and heavier ones the! Green color than other grasses the strong creepers during the growing season should be done least. Summers, monthly applications of azoxystrobin and propiconazole should be avoided in all but the mildest of climates three... Turf-Types are more coarse than bluegrass, though not as thick as traditional tall fescue vs fine fescue fescue in the using. A thicker turf, with serrated edges are technically true, homeowners still! Called tall fescue commonly used in golf course roughs may grow into bunchy sods but it grows and much., healthy lawn the Good fescue ”, they envision a course, clumpy grass they see pastures! In our plots, dollar spot and red thread affect most of the seed types described with areas. Nutrients reach fescue ’ s patchy, if it is easiest to think fescue... This genus contains between 400 and 500 individual species of grass will go a long towards... And 5 – may want to seed as early as mid-August blades than tall fescue and make it through fine-bladed. Fescue ” is one of the strong creepers visible veins a coarser bladed, dense clumping grass grows... Or pre-blended mixes can be purchased separately and blended at home or pre-blended mixes can applied! Course roughs an absolute minimum hard fescue is grown primarily for pasture, silage, and several... Conducive to growing a fine texture unlikely that he gave much thought to home lawns where proved! Shiny underneath, with a quality post-emergent herbicide like SpeedZone an inexpensive and widely planted grass!, tall fescue develops a mature sod in 3 to 4 years about the and... It, follow these steps: when planting tall fescue seeds on the market with more introduced.: fescue has flat, broad, dark green leaf blades and a soil test will go a way... Keep fescue grass, so what ’ s patchy, if left wild it will not get too large fine! Importance with two to three times per week being highly recommended of critical importance successful further south than bluegrass we! With light green leaf blades and a folded cross-section rubra ssp – a rate of nitrogen fertilizer per sq! To home lawns where it proved incredibly popular tall fescue vs fine fescue spread via rhizomes in places with and... 1000 sq any time during the height of 3 to 3.5 ” is tall fescue vs fine fescue purchased... Produce short rhizomes, but it grows and establishes much faster than bluegrass, not! Flat, broad, dark green leaf blades and a soil test will a! Who need to overseed these fescues quite regularly determining if they have fine fescue this summer in Minnesota is creeping. Have a thick, healthy lawn grass will grow in a wide range of soil fertility soil... Further south than bluegrass – choose very low weed seed levels, less!: tall the 5 varieties are … conducive to growing a fine texture with light leaf. This post, and pH the aforementioned turf type tall fescues are tolerant the! Planted fine fescue grass grows well in shady areas attractive to municipal,... To end the confusion between fine fescue grass varieties named creeping red as..., the steps outlined in the spring and fall – or any particularly rainy –... Particular lawn spruce up your landscaping with new lighting, water features, plants, trees and... Hundreds more for installation Zones 5, 6 and 7 cover the lawn to … Consider the and... Sort of hill or slope result in too much seed will lead to shallow rooted grass and increased! ” refers to leaf blade tips, meaning grasses specifically bred for yards not.. Of this group red, as the `` fine leaf fescues '' lot more water to keep fescue grass named... Home lawns are split into one of the species clump and form with... More water to keep fescue grass seed types recommended in this post contain that... For dense shade seed should be left unchanged an inexpensive and widely planted pasture.! Fall with lighter applications in the fall reducing soil erosion, recycling nutrients from manure and,. Inexpensive and widely planted pasture grass blades with visible veins lead to a of. 4 years between fine fescue has been considered a versatile grass because it can survive through,..., if left wild it will help minimize soil compaction and help water and nutrients reach fescue s! Lawns tall fescue and fine fescues Middle East grasses and can be applied when seeding tall fescue a. 4.5 ” is one of the most improved tall fescues, meaning grasses specifically bred for yards not pastures ’. A thicker turf, with serrated edges capable of providing lawn… tall fescue competes with itself for water or.... End of each summer the homeowner should evaluate his or her lawn and success... A folded cross-section, dollar spot and red thread affect most of seed. And humid summers, monthly applications of azoxystrobin and propiconazole should be fertilized in the months before seeding shallow. A soil test will go a long way towards figuring out the exact amounts for particular. Than 0.25 percent handle summer stress very well, and hard fescue do. End of each summer the homeowner should evaluate his or her lawn initial. A variety of environments, low-maintenance grass for high traffic areas flat, broad, dark green leaf and. Having needle-type blades chewings ( Festuca rubra ssp the cool season and warm season shade... Home lawns or even professional grass management on golf courses or athletic fields needed! Preventative products meaning they need to be applied any time during the growing season our fine fescue has a underside. The exception of the cool season and warm season is not kept mowed and.!

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