Turf-Type Tall Fescue

We grow an excellent blend of turf-type Tall Fescue. All of our fescue is grown from gold tag sod quality seed to ensure genetic purity. Each year, we carefully select the varieties that have exhibited the best resistance to brown patch in the hot, humid summers of the South.

Fescue is green year-round and grows best in the Spring and Fall. It requires more irrigation than the warm-season turfgrasses and is susceptible to brown patch in the hot, humid summer months.  However, tall fescue is more shade tolerant and finer leaved than standard K-31 variety.  Tall fescue is a moderate-to-coarse-bladed, heavy-duty grass that tolerates a wide range of soil and shade conditions and has good heat, drought, and wear tolerance. Tall fescue has few serious pest problems but is subject to brown patch disease under warm, wet conditions. Tall fescue grows rapidly and requires frequent mowing but does not tolerate a close cut. It is a bunchgrass that does not recover well from injury and thus must be reseeded if bare areas appear. 

Turf-Type Tall Fescue Maintenance & Calendar

Mowing
Tall fescue should be 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches tall after mowing. As a general guideline, try to mow often enough that no more than one-third of the grass height is cut. Then practice grasscycling. Grasscycling is simply leaving grass clippings on your lawn. Grass clippings decompose quickly and can provide up to 25 percent of the lawn's fertilizer needs. It' prolonged rain or other factors prevent mowing and clippings are too plentiful to leave on the lawn, they can be collected and used as mulch. Whatever you do, don’t bag them! Grass clippings do not belong in landfills.

Fertilizing
The best way to determine your lawn's nutrient needs is by a soil test. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Agronomic Division, provides free soil testing. In the absence of a test, use a complete nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio (that is, (that is 12-4-8 or16-4-8). Fertilize with 1 pound of actual nitrogen (N) per thousand square feet in mid-September and again in November (about the time the grass is green but not actively growing).

Irrigation
Water to a soil depth of 4 to 6 inches with a screwdriver to determine moisture depth. Tall fescue needs a weekly application of about 1 to 1 1/4 inches of water. On sandy soils it often requires more frequent watering- for example, 1/2 inch of water every third day. It is often necessary to irrigate an area for 3 to 5 hours to apply 1 inch of water. (It requires 640 gallons of water to deliver 1 inch of water per thousand square feet.) Because clay soils accept water slowly, irrigate just until runoff occurs, wait 1/2 hour until the water has been absorbed, and then continue irrigating until the desired depth or amount is obtained. A dark bluish gray color, footprinting, and wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate that it is time to water. Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce pest problems and environmental stress later in the summer.

Weed Control
Apply broadleaf herbicides to control dandelions and other weeds if necessary. Caution: Some herbicides may affect newly seeded turf. Follow label directions. See Extension Service publication AG-408 Pest Control Recommendations for Turfgrass Managers.

Insect Control
Check for white grubs in September and October and control them if necessary.

Aerification
Core lawns subject to heavy traffic or on clay soils to minimize compaction and improve rooting. Break up plugs.

Renovation
NC Piedmont and Coastal Plain Regions Only! (See June-August for western region.)  Overseed thin, bare areas as grass begins to respond to cooler temperatures in September and early October. Use a blend of tall fescue cultivars at 6 pounds per thousand square feet. Apply a starter-type (high phosphorus) fertilizer at time of seeding. Keep the seedbed moist with light, frequent sprinklings several times a day to ensure good germination.

Thatch Removal
It is not necessary to remove thatch.

Mowing
Remove lawn debris (rocks, sticks, and leaves). Mow lawn at 3 inches and remove clipping debris at spring greetings. Mow before grass gets taller than 5 inches. Practice grasscycling---leave clippings on the lawn.

Fertilizing
Fertilize with 1 pound of actual nitrogen per thousand square feet in February. *In absence of soil test results, use a complete (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio.

Irrigation
Water, if needed, to prevent excessive drying. About 1 inch of water per application each week is adequate.

Weed Control
Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary for control of chickweed, henbit, or other weeds. See Extension Service publication AG-408, Pest Control Recommendations for Turfgrass Managers.

Aerification
Delay coring until fall.

Thatch Removal
It is not necessary to remove thatch.

Mowing
Mow lawn to 3 inches in height. Mow at least once a week. Mow before grass gets above 5 inches tall. Remember grasscycling -leave clippings on the lawn.

Fertilizing
Do not fertilize tall fescue after March 15.

Irrigation
Water as needed to prevent drought. About 1 inch of water per application each week is adequate. Sandy soils often require more frequent watering, or about 1/2 inch of water every third day.

Weed Control
Apply preemergence herbicides to control crabgrass, goosegrass, and foxtail. Apply by the time the dogwoods are in bloom. See Extension Service publication AG-408, Pest Control Recommendations for Turfgrass Managers.

Insect Control
Check for white grubs in April and May and control if necessary.

Aerification
Delay coring until fall.

Thatch Removal
It is not necessary to remove thatch.

Mowing
Raise mower height to 3 1/2 inches. Mow before the grass gets above 5 inches tall. Remember grasscycling -leave clippings on the lawn.

Fertilizing
Do not fertilize tall fescue at this time. Submit a soil sample for analysis to determine nutrient requirements. (Contact your county Extension Center for details.)

Irrigation
Either water as needed to prevent drought or allow the lawn to go dormant. About 1 inch of water per application each week is adequate for irrigated lawns. Sandy soils often require more frequent watering, or about 1/2 inch of water every third day. Do not discontinue irrigation in mid-summer. Water dormant lawns very three weeks in the absence of rain.

Disease Control
Check for brown patch disease. (See Extension Service Publication AG-361, Diseases of Cool-Season Grasses.)

Weed Control
Avoid the use of herbicides at this time. See Extension Service publication AG-408, Pest Control Recommendations for Turfgrass Managers.

Insect Control
Check for grubs in July and August and control them if necessary.

Aerification
Avoid coring tall fescue lawns at this time.

Renovation
Western Region Only! (See September--November for piedmont and coastal plain regions.) Overseed thin, bare areas as grass begins to respond to cooler temperatures; about August 15 to September 1. Use a blend of tall fescue cultivars at 6 pounds per thousand square feet. Apply a starter-type fertilizer at the time of seeding. Keep the seedbed moist with light, frequent sprinklings several times a day to ensure good germination.

Thatch Removal
It is not necessary to remove thatch.

Related Topics

	Integrated Pest Management
	Grasscycling

Turf-Type Tall Fescue is recommended for Golf Courses and Landscaping.

Learn about Certified Turfgrass.

To compare the various grasses offered by Sandhill Turf, view our
Sod Comparison Chart or click its name below.

	TifSport Bermuda
	Tifway 419 Bermuda
	El Toro Zoysia
	TifBlair Centipede
	Turf-Type Tall Fescue
	Bentgrass