Fescue grass is a popular choice for homeowners in the Northern United States looking to create a lush, durable lawn. With its deep roots, tolerance to summer heat, and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, fescue offers numerous benefits for those seeking an attractive and low-maintenance turf. This guide will walk you through growing and maintaining a healthy fescue lawn, from selecting the right seed to proper care techniques.
Types of Fescue Grass
Before diving into the planting process, it’s essential to understand the different types of fescue grass available. Each variety has its own unique characteristics and benefits, making some better suited for specific lawn conditions than others.
Tall Fescue Grass
Tall fescue is one of the most common types of fescue grass. This type of fescue is ideal for homeowners with a robust lawn capable of enduring weather conditions and foot traffic. It thrives in moist, fertile soil but can grow in wet soil with low fertility.
Creeping Red Fescue
Creeping red fescue is a shade-tolerant variety that requires minimal fertilizer and boasts a deep green color. Its fine blades make it attractive for homeowners seeking a more manicured look. Due to its shade tolerance, it’s handy for lawns with tree cover or areas where other grasses struggle to thrive and can grow in acidic conditions.
Chewings Fescue Grass
Similar in appearance to tall fescue, chewings fescue has a thinner blade and offers superior drought resistance. It’s an excellent choice for areas with limited rainfall, making it suitable for homeowners in drier climates or regions prone to water restrictions. Chewings fescue also blends well with other grasses, adding texture and vitality to a mixed-species lawn.
Hard Fescue
Hard fescue is often used in golf course roughs and requires less frequent mowing than other varieties. It’s well-suited for low-maintenance lawn areas, such as slopes and embankments, where regular upkeep can be challenging. Its tough nature makes it resistant to common lawn diseases and pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
Sheep Fescue Grass
This variety is beneficial for controlling erosion on slopes and hills. Sheep fescue grass demonstrates good tolerance to both wet and dry conditions. Homeowners with uneven terrain will find sheep fescue beneficial for stabilizing soil while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
How To Plant and Grow Fescue Grass Seed
Growing a healthy fescue lawn starts with proper planning and preparation. Homeowners can establish a strong foundation for their new turf by following these steps.
Select a Fescue Seed
Consider factors such as the amount of sunlight, water availability, and expected foot traffic in your yard. Due to their deep root systems, some fescue varieties perform better in high-traffic areas.
When selecting a seed, take into account the subtle differences in color and blade shape between fescue types. You may need to compromise on certain characteristics to ensure the chosen variety suits your specific lawn conditions well. Consulting with a local lawn care expert can also provide insights into the best variety for your regional climate and soil type.
Time Planting for Optimal Growth
The ideal time to plant fescue grass is in fall. This is when cool-season grasses like fescue thrive and do most of their growing. Spring is the second-best time for planting, but avoid seeding fescue grass during cold snaps or extreme drought conditions.
Test Soil
Before planting, conduct a soil test to identify any potential issues that could hinder grass growth. A soil test will provide information on pH levels and organic matter content. Aim for a pH of around 5.5 to 7 for optimal fescue growth. If the test reveals deficiencies, add appropriate fertilizers or soil amendments before seeding.
Soil test kits are readily available at gardening stores, or you can send soil samples to a local extension service for a more comprehensive analysis. Addressing soil deficiencies early ensures your fescue grass has the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Prepare Your Lawn
Remove any weeds or existing grass types from the area to be seeded. Rake and level the soil to ensure even water distribution and prevent puddles that can lead to fungal growth.
If the soil is compacted, consider tilling it lightly to improve aeration. Adding a layer of compost or organic matter can also enhance soil quality, providing a richer environment for seed germination. Mark boundaries with stakes to maintain organized rows during seeding.
Plant the Seed
When ready to plant, follow the seed dispersal rate recommended on the packaging. For new lawns, expect to use about double the amount of seed compared to overseeding an existing lawn. Cover the seeds with approximately 1/4 inch of topsoil and lightly rake the area. Using a roller ensures good seed-to-soil contact and prevents seeds from blowing away.
Water the seeded area gently but thoroughly to keep the soil evenly moist. Avoid heavy watering, which can displace seeds. For best results, continue to water lightly every day for the first few weeks until the grass starts to establish.
Maintaining and Caring for Fescue
Once established, fescue grass requires regular maintenance to keep it healthy and vibrant. Here’s what to do:
Mowing
You should mow fescue grass to a height of about four inches. When mowing, remove no more than 1/2 inch to 1 inch of grass height at a time to avoid shocking the turf. Leave grass clippings on your lawn as they contain many nutrients and reduce the need for fertilizer. Adjust your mower blades to the correct height and keep them sharp to ensure clean cuts that minimize damage to the grass.
Apply Herbicide
Be cautious with herbicide use when dealing with weeds, as some products harm fescue grass. Whenever possible, manually remove weeds, especially during summer months. Spot-treat problematic areas with a herbicide approved for use on fescue grass.
Watering
Provide your fescue lawn with about one inch of water per week. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall, and consider installing a rain sensor for your irrigation system to prevent overwatering.
Water deeply but less frequently to encourage the development of deep roots, which makes the grass more drought-tolerant. Morning watering is best, as it allows excess moisture to evaporate, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Aerating
Aerate your fescue lawn in early fall to improve oxygen, water, and nutrient penetration into the soil. Follow aeration with overseeding and fertilization to promote thick, healthy growth through winter. Core aerators are most effective for creating deep holes that allow roots to expand.
How Long Does It Take Fescue Grass To Grow?
Fescue grass typically takes at least two weeks to germinate and begin growing. Proper soil preparation and the use of starter fertilizer can accelerate this process. Avoid mowing newly seeded areas until the grass reaches about 4 inches in height to prevent damage to young plants.
During the germination period, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Gradually reduce the watering frequency as the grass becomes established and begins to thrive.
Hiring a Lawn Care Service To Plant Fescue
For homeowners who prefer professional assistance, hiring a lawn care service can ensure proper preparation, planting, and maintenance of a fescue lawn. Professional services can offer expertise in soil testing, fertilization, and ongoing care to keep your lawn in top condition.
A reputable lawn care service brings a wealth of knowledge and specialized equipment to the table, making the process more efficient and effective. They can accurately diagnose soil issues, recommend suitable fescue varieties, and implement best practices for planting and growth.
When selecting a lawn care service, consider their experience with fescue grass, customer reviews, and the range of services offered. A reliable provider should provide a comprehensive plan that includes soil testing, seeding, fertilization, weed control, and ongoing maintenance.
Inquire about their approach to environmentally friendly practices, such as using organic fertilizers and integrated pest management. A service that prioritizes sustainability will benefit your lawn and the broader ecosystem.
Best Lawn Care Service: TruGreen
TruGreen is a reputable lawn care service that specializes in fescue grass care. They offer comprehensive packages that cover everything from initial planting to ongoing maintenance. Their services include soil preparation and testing, seeding and overseeding, fertilization, weed control, aeration, and ongoing lawn maintenance.
Homeowners can ensure their fescue lawn receives expert care throughout the year by choosing a professional service like TruGreen.
FAQs About How To Grow Fescue Grass
Is fescue grass easy to grow?
Fescue grass is relatively easy to grow as long as you prepare your soil and plant it in the right season. Fescue is a cool-season grass, so planting it in warmer climates is incompatible.
What month do you plant fescue?
In most areas, it is best to plant fescue in September or October when the soil temperatures reach the 60 to 65°F range. You could also plant seed in April or May when soil temperatures reach this same range.
Does fescue grass spread on its own?
Fescue grass doesn’t spread on its own, so you will need to overseed when you see bare spots. When overseeding, make sure to follow proper maintenance recommendations to give your seed the best chance to grow.
What does overwatered grass look like?
Overwatered grass can start to develop brown patches. The grass will look unhealthy, and you can see it starting to turn color. Feel your soil and the turf and see if it feels soggy; if this is the case, slow down your watering schedule for the time being.
When is the best time to water fescue?
It’s best to water fescue in the early morning. Regardless of the type of turf you have, early morning watering can help with evaporation.
Methodology: How We Rank Lawn Care Companies
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our lawn company ratings emphasize what matters most to you—a wide range of useful products with reliable service and impressive results.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping via phone and internet, customer-review analysis, and discussions with lawn and landscaping specialists.
Each company can earn up to 100 points divided across five categories. We assess those point scores and then convert them to a five-star scale to determine rankings. We researched popular lawn care companies across the country to develop the following category breakdown:
- Plan Options (36 points): Lawn care companies earn the most points in this category if they offer a wide range of plans to fit various homeowner needs. Companies providing services like fertilization, aeration, seeding, and tree/shrub care will earn more points than providers with base-level plans.
- Additional Offerings (11 points): We score this category by evaluating additional offerings that enhance a company’s overall service selection. Companies that provide pest control services, organic lawn care products, and à la carte options score the highest in this category.
- Customer Service (25 points): We considered how far each company goes to ensure customers have convenient, intuitive access to products and services with contact forms, online chat features, and additional learning resources.
- State Availability (8 points): We factored each company’s state availability into its overall score. Companies with more locations and wider service areas score higher than those with limited availability.
- Trustworthiness (20 points): We score each company’s trustworthiness based on its Better Business Bureau accreditation and score, number of years in business, and Google Star ratings.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
