tall fescue grass seed

What is the best grass seed for tall fescue?

For the best tall fescue grass seed, choose the Jonathan Green Black Beauty^® Original Grass Seed blend, which contains our elite turf-type tall fescues that are naturally darker green in color, uniform in leaf texture, will not shred when mowed, and will thrive even under adverse growing conditions.

Is tall fescue a good grass seed?

Durable and easy-to-establish, Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue and remains a leading choice for lawn owners seeking economical, low-maintenance, heat- and drought-tolerant lawns. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that grows most vigorously during cool spring and fall months.

What is the best time to plant fescue grass seed?

Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant tall fescue seed. Fall offers several advantages not available any other time of year. As air temperatures drop in autumn, soil still retains some summer warmth.

Does tall fescue grass come back every year?

Fescue is a cool-season grass; that means it grows best in the spring and fall when temperatures are cooler, and it struggles during the heat of summer. Under the right conditions, fescue is green year-round, but it can go dormant (brown) during severe heat and drought.

Can I overseed with tall fescue?

Before overseeding a lawn, it is important to choose a seed that is compatible with your grass. You should try to use a seed that is the same as your grass. For example, if you have turf-type tall fescue, then use turf-type tall fescue seed or a blend of turf-type tall fescue seed and Kentucky bluegrass seed.

What is the difference between tall fescue and fine fescue?

The Tall Fescue grass species is a coarser bladed, dense clumping grass that grows well in shady areas. The Fine Fescues are fine, shorter fescue grass varieties named creeping red, hard fescue, chewings fescue and sheep fescue. Click on the previous links or scroll down to read about each fescue seed variety.

Can you put down too much grass seed?

Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?

If you simply toss the grass seed onto the soil, you will end up with poor germination. ... Next, you can use a lawn spreader to put down the grass seed. Very little soil is actually needed to cover the seeds, typically about ¼- inch, so simple raking will do the trick.

When should I Overseed tall fescue?

Fall is the best time to overseed (or plant) fescue grass seed. Ideally, you'll put fescue seed down about three weeks before the first frost of the season. This will give the seeds plenty of germination time, allowing roots to establish before winter arrives.

Should I put topsoil over grass seed?

You don't need to turn the topsoil over. Just break it up so the new grass seeds' roots can easily grow through. If you just have a small area to seed, a digging fork will do the trick. For larger areas, consider a core aerator.

Should I soak grass seed before planting?

Too much soaking in water and a seed will drown. It is recommended that you only soak most seeds for 12 to 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. The seeds of some species of plants can survive longer soakings, but you should only do this if the specific instructions for this species recommend so.

Can I mix tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass?

Tall fescue is one of the grasses to consider for home lawns. Because of its upright growth and wide blade, it doesn't blend well with Kentucky bluegrass so it should make up at least 90% of the grass mixture. Tall fescue requires more frequent mowing and is most successful when grown from seed in early August.

How long does tall fescue live?

It is the rhizomes from the bluegrass that hold the sod together and keep it from falling apart. Overseeding is important with tall fescue. A blade of grass only lives an average of 40 days before it dies.

Does fescue die in the summer?

Fescue grows best at moderate temperatures and prefers spring and fall where it performs ideally. When summer comes, even well-irrigated tall fescue often is beset with both heat damage and a fungus called “brown spot,” causing death of some fescue, which then needs reseeding.

How do you overseed tall fescue grass?

Adding the cool-season fescue, which grows its best in the cool temperatures of fall and spring, breathes new life into that tired lawn.

Make a Plan. ...
Start Off on the Right Seed. ...
Prep the Overseeding Site. ...
When Time Is Right, Apply Starter Fertilizer. ...
Plant Your Seeds. ...
Care for the Young Grass. ...
Mow the Right Way.

Which is better bluegrass or fescue?

Kentucky bluegrass turf requires more fertilizer and more frequent mowing than fescues. Tall fescue does not require mowing less than 3 inches high, and uses about half as much water as Kentucky bluegrass. Less watering means less mowing. Hard fescue and red fescue require little or no mowing.

Is it too late to overseed fescue?

The best time to plant new tall fescue and bluegrass seed is in early to mid September. When it's October, people often wonder if it is too late to plant new seed. ... Although September is the best time, often we can still plant grass seed up to October 15 with good results.

How much will a 50 lb bag of grass seed cover?

Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is valued for easy establishment, drought resistance and improved heat tolerance over many other tall fescue varieties. With Expert Gardener Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue, you're getting an economical, easy-to-establish grass. 50 pound bag covers up to 10,000 sq. ft.

What height should fescue grass be cut?

One of the easiest ways to help promote a healthy lawn is to practice proper mowing habits. The ideal mowing height for Tall Fescue is 3.5-4 inches.

Will tenacity kill tall fescue?

A selective herbicide, like Tenacity, will not kill all lawn types. The concentrate is specifically used for certain warm season and cool season turfgrass species listed on the product label: Kentucky bluegrass, centipedegrass, buffalograss, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and St. Augustinegrass.

Is tall fescue good for full sun?

Tall fescue grass can grow in full sun to part shade. These grasses are shade tolerant and grow well in areas where it's too hot for cool grasses but too cold in the winter for warm-season grasses.