Fescue seed may be harvested by direct combining or mowed, windrowed and then combined. This will ensure the lawn looks full once the fescue … Plant tall fescue seed in the fall, between September 15 and the end of October, so the seedlings will have plenty of time to become strong in preparation for the summer heat nine months hence. However, ungerminated seed may stay viable through winter and some additional germination may come with spring. When the seeds come into contact with the soil, germination begins. If the lawn is covered 50% or more with healthy fescue, use a core aerator. Whether you seed or sod, early fall is the ideal planting time. Tall fescue is a dark green, coarse-textured grass and appropriate for general lawn use. Once fescue begins to reach a height of 8 inches or more, it is time to begin grazing. You’ll need about five pounds (2 kg) of fescue seed for every 1,000 square feet (93 square meters). One is to renovate pastures and plant endophyte-free tall fescue. Plant fescues when fall temperature reach about 75 F. This will show you why you might be wrong. Macho Mix fescue seed, Estate Mix bluegrass seed, Premium Shade Mix, and Stadium Special perennial rye are all cool-season grass seed blends and mixes that will perform perfectly for dormant seeding. Even though this common broad-leaf weed killer does not harm mature fescue plants, it can inhibit seed germination and growth. Learn what makes turf-type tall fesuce a leading choice for high-quality, high-performance turf, and how you can have a thick, uniform, and low-maintenance lawn. Plant 1/8 inch (3 ml.) 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. For more information on fertilizing lawns refer to HGI… The fescue grasses, when planted properly, germinate within 10 to 14 days. Well you asked for it. Plant fescues when fall temperature reach about 75 F. The next best time to plant fescue seeds is when rising temperatures in spring reach 60 F. Summer isn't a good time to plant fescue lawns, because fescue grass tends to go dormant during periods of high temperature. Fescue seeds, like all grass seed, grow better when planted in freshly tilled, pure soil that does not have any other plants or weeds in it. The wind disperses the seeds. Alfalfa usually does not persist too long in a fescue mixture, especially under grazing conditions. This will also be influenced by the temperature, but if your soil is right around that 65-degree Fahrenheit range, you can expect the seeds to germinate within 2 weeks. Remove any hills or holes. 9.1 In the spring; 9.2 In the fall; 10 How long for fine fescue to germinate? To help your fescue spread in shady lawn areas, allow the grass to grow a half-inch to 1 inch higher than fescue growing in the sun. Tui LawnForce® Superstrike® Tall Fescue Lawn Seed creates a fast establishing lawn suited to landscape and ornamental lawns. There are three specific dangers in letting lawns go to seed. Planting turf-type tall fescue under the best possible conditions gives your seeding project a distinct advantage. Choose a fescue variety or mix that is suited for your area. Then spring brings another period of cool-season growth before summer stress arrives. As in fall, time spring planting to coincide with soil temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer and consistent air temperatures between 68 to 77 F.2. Insect pests become less active, so you have fewer fall problems on the pest front, too. If the ground is tilled before planting, fescue can tolerate full sun and summer drought. So try to get your seed out in September. Many factors affect the germination period, including the temperature, your soil’s oxygen level, and its watering schedule. Several types of fescue grass seed are available and often one or more are part of typical grass seed mixtures. Tall fescue plants produce tillers; leaf blades growing from the basal shoot of the mother plant. The grass forms low tight mounds and produces tall flower tipped stems in May to June. Fall is the best time to overseed (or plant) fescue grass seed. Sod can be planted when it is available, December – May. We are in a heavy drought right now. Although fescues can go without water for longer periods than many other grasses, planting a new lawn or overseeding requires regular watering until the grass is about 1 inch tall. Fescue grass seeds germinate best when the soil temperature is 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer. Many aggressive lawn weeds go dormant as temperatures fall, so new grass faces less weed competition. This grass tolerates lots of soil types, and it can handle shade as well as sun exposure. Driving around yesterday I began to notice both fescue seedheads and POA. Rebels is a high performance, low maintenance Turf-Type Tall Fescue with varieties that perform well in heavy traffic areas, as well as sun and shade. deep and keep mowed at 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) The seed of tall fescue shatters easily when ripe. When To Plant Fescue Grass. Once the endophyte enters the seed heads of the tall fescue seeds are produced. As a cool-season grass, established tall fescue grows best during the cooler soil and air temperatures that happen in late summer to early fall and again in early spring. Tall fescue sod is not widely available and is generally more expensive. 12 Does fine fescue grass spread? Using Professional Lawn Care Services. It’s time to plant the seeds. Planted the seeds in 6-8 peat pots and pretty much ignored them. Follow best practices for planting grass seed, from seed selection and soil testing to proper care during germination and beyond. When To Plant Fescue Grass. Like many of our vegetables and fruit trees, even if they do produce viable seed the seedlings won’t be “breed true”. Fall is the best time to plant fescue and other cool season grass. However, the lawn’s roots continue to grow and store carbohydrates for next summer’s growth period. Now that we are in the ideal time for seeding, it is important to remember that tall fescue does not like ice cover, so avoid planting this grass in low, poor-draining areas. Fall is the ideal time for seeding or overseeding tall fescue lawns. 11.1 Will it survive a drought? G. Miller, “Fall Seeding of Tall Fescue," North Carolina State TurfFiles, August 2010. Creeping red fescue is a fine-leaved fescue that spreads by underground rhizomes, allowing it to fill in open spaces. 10.1 When will germination occur in fine fescue? Fall (September or October) is the best time to plant fescue seeds, because the young grass will suffer less heat and disease stress. What Grass Seed Will Grow in Dirt & Sand Mixture? The top side of the blades is shiny and the blades are very coarse to the touch. Allowing your lawn to go to seed is also detrimental because many of our modern lawn grasses are hybrids and have been specially bred from wild varieties and either won’t produce seed to begin with or the seed won’t germinate. They grow quickly and can be tough as nails to remove and dissipate from lawns. The best time to plant fescue grass (Festuca spp.) Seed heads can be pretty easy to avoid for the most part, by sticking to a consistent lawn care program. Always leave clippings on the lawn in a practice called “grass-cycling”. Tall fescue germinates best when soil temperatures near 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Tall Fescue grass seed is a cool-season bunch species used for home lawns, parks, and sports fields in warmer parts of the country. Cool weather in fall and spring presents optimal condition for seeding tall fescue. 12.1 How does fine fescue spread? Fescue also has thick blades. Under the right conditions, fescue is green year-round, but it can go … Overseeding a fescue lawn helps to fill in bare spots, thickens the lawn and allows the introduction of newer fescue varieties. When does tall fescue go dormant? Get a garden tiller or tractor tiller. By timing tall fescue seeding to coincide with these conditions in your growing region, you work with natural advantages instead of against them — whether you seed in fall or spring. often do not go fully dormant like bermudagrass more damaging on a zoysiagrass lawn than a bermu­ dagrass lawn. Fescue-alfalfa Alfalfa in a fescue mixture is best adapted to well-drained, high-fertility soils. Fescue should not be grazed for more than 7 days in a row. By choosing The Rebels, you will get better color, finer leaf texture, and increased germination. Fescue facts from Seedland ; How to seed lawns from Seedland ; Writer Bio. Prepare the soil as for any other grass seed and keep the seedbed soil moist for at least 10 to 14 days to encourage germination and deep root development. Raking your tall fescue lawn helps to break up soil clumps and cover new seeds before grass grows dormant in the winter. Much of the grass seed that pops up on the tips of the blade may actually be sterile-so don't expect bare patches to miraculously fill in. commutata) and hard fescue (Festuca longifolio). During the cold winter months, cool season grasses such as turf type tall fescue stops top growth. On September 16, 2012 I concluded a two year trial of five tall fescue cultivars and one Kentucky bluegrass cultivar in my back yard in Buffalo NY to answer the question “Does tall fescue spread?” The answer is yes and no, depending on how you define the word “spread”. But if you have ever dealt with shaded grass, you’ll know that thinning is almost inevitable. 21 days for your seed to germinate depending on the weather and how you’re watering. Well go to my link and look at the picture of a tall fescue seedhead. Hard fescue, chewings fescue and creeping red fescue tolerate shady conditions. Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant tall fescue seed. However, they benefit from periodic lawn overseeding to keep their density and avoid a clumpy appearance. Unlike spring, when soil often becomes overly wet, fall soil is more likely to maintain healthy moisture levels. If you are pressed, early spring is a fair second choice. Many factors affect the germination period, including the temperature, your soil’s oxygen level, and its watering schedule. Go over the lawn several times with the machine. It can survive in the heat. While red fescue will grow fine on its own, it does much better when mixed with other grass seeds. Read the label. Most grass varieties must grow fairly tall to develop seed -- some up to nearly a foot high. The Rebels is a trademark of Pennington Seed, Inc. 1. Keep your grass and soil healthy and positioned for vigorous grass growth, and maintain your new tall fescue at recommended mowing heights of 3 to 4 inches. Remove excess thatch and loosen compacted soil in the existing lawn. The endophyte moves from the stems of the grass into the seed heads. These soil temperatures roughly correspond to fall and spring air temperatures in the range of 68 to 77 F.1. Fescue seed does not like to germinate in air temperatures that aren’t between 60 and 75 degrees, but your service is not always going to be performed on a day that will be followed by weeks of these constant temperatures. Then sow (broadcast) your Fescue seeds on the area to be planted generally in the early fall (Aug - Sept) for your best results. This will give the seeds plenty of germination time, allowing roots to establish before winter arrives. The most important aspect in choosing when to plant the fescue seed is the temperature of the soil. Grass seed requires consistent moisture for germination and establishment. As post-winter soil and air temperatures warm, spring is your second best time to plant tall fescue seed. Be patient with your fescue lawn, as it might require overseeding and a proper mowing for you to see a full, healthy lawn. Once your tall fescue seed is down, rake it in so 1/4 inch of soil covers the seed. These outstanding turf-type tall fescues grow 40 percent more roots at deeper depths than ordinary grass seed, offering greater heat and drought tolerance as well as improved nutrient uptake. About Fescue Grass Lawns. How to Grow Fine Fescue Grass. Ideal fall seeding time for turf-type tall fescues, such as The Rebels® Brand Tall Fescue Blend, varies depending on where you live. Cool nights, moderate days and warm soil are ideal ingredients for fast, thorough germination and sturdy establishment of tall fescue seed. In short, selecting the best tall fescue grass seed is not a complicated process when you know well the benefits and downsides of the seeds. The fescue grasses, when planted properly, germinate within 10 to 14 days. There has been an increase in seed heads appearing across many turf varieties recently, in most cases this will be due to the … Step 1 - Select Location. As air temperatures drop in autumn, soil still retains some summer warmth. All trademarks are either the property of Central Garden & Pet Company, its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated and/or related companies or the property of their respective owners. Myth: If I mow my lawn on the lowest not their preferred snack. Each of the new seeds contains the endophyte fungus so the cycle begins again. Q: How long must I wait to plant fescue after using a weed-killer? For Upper Midwest lawns, mid-August may bring ideal conditions. References. A key fact about blue fescue would be its zonal tolerance. Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant tall fescue seed. To establish a fescue lawn, you can plant a single fescue variety or a mix of different fescue varieties, taking advantage of their complementing characteristics. In challenging southern conditions, choosing tall fescue varieties with superior heat and drought tolerance, such as those in The Rebels® Brand Southern Classic Blend, can improve your lawn's resilience to southern summers. Fescue is a cool-season grass. Based in Connecticut, Marie-Luise Blue writes a local gardening column and has been published in "Organic Gardening" and "Back Home." Shattering due to delays caused by rains, unavailability of harvesting machines or high winds can easily reduce yields by 50 percent or more. Turf-type grass grows rapidly and has excellent wear tolerance, making it ideal for high-traffic yards with children or dogs. Grass clippings decompose quickly and do not contribute to thatch. ©2017 The Rebels. If you need to fill in some areas in your lawn, it’ll be easier and more effective to … If you must wait until October there is an increased likelihood of slow/low germination. Till the area. Fescue-lespedeza It is usually difficult to achieve yields of 2 tons of hay equivalent or more per acre and still maintain lespedeza in the stand. Its deep root system allows it to be extremely drought tolerant, so you can plant fescue grass seed in soils with poor fertility, and it can tolerate some shade, although it prefers sunny areas. Background Tall fescue is known as a… Don’t be afraid to spread plenty of seed over the area. Alfalfa usually does not persist too long in a fescue mixture, especially under grazing conditions. Letting your lawn go to seed won't be the same as planting new grass seed that creates a brand new lush lawn. Early-flowering yellow forsythia bushes bloom when soil temperatures reach 55 F. Confirm soil temperature with a soil thermometer, and plan tall fescue seeding accordingly. Hard fescue is ideal for low-maintenance lawns; it is disease-resistant, extremely heat-tolerant and drought- and shade-tolerant. Do wait to long; once it reaches heights of 12 inches or more it quickly becomes unpalatable. Still, it is one of the best … Healthy, green, and thick tall fescue grass is at the finger of your tips. Follow these best practices for grass seeding for a more beautiful and resilient lawn. When it comes to grass, the best way to grow it is with seeds. Most varieties will grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Planting tall fescue at the best time gives your lawn the best possible start, but timing isn't the only factor in seeding success. Optimal spring planting times vary by location. It is less heat tolerant than tall fescue, but it is more shade tolerant. Farther north, favorable conditions may wait until April or even early May. Fertilizing: Do not fertilize tall fescue after March 15. Cool nights, moderate days and warm soil are ideal ingredients for fast, thorough germination and sturdy establishment of tall fescue seed. Planting in fall gives the fescue seedlings a longer time to establish before the hot summer season sets in. Spring planting gives tall fescue less time to get established before summer heat replaces favorable growing temperatures. Your tall fescue seed gets off to a strong start, before seasonal stresses of winter or summer arrive. If tall fescue is seeded in less than ideal conditions (too cool or no soil moisture), you may experience a thin turf stand going into the winter. Irrigate the lawn two days beforehand if necessary. Planting in the Fall presents the least risk of planting failure for cool season grass. To get the most from your grass seed and your seeding efforts, time your planting to build on tall fescue's strengths and meet its needs. Move back and forth from one side of the planting … © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Why does my lawn have seed heads? G. Miller, “Spring Seeding Tall Fescue," North Carolina State TurfFiles, March 2008. @alex94: We have fescue grass and we tilled the area first. Stop when you have 10 or more aerator holes per square foot. While spring offers good conditions for planting tall fescue, it holds some challenges. What Fertilizer Do You Put on Fescue Grass in the Winter? This can take much of the warm season, developing seeds closer to fall. Fescue grass is a cool-season grass, which means that it stops growing at high temperatures. Blue has a Ph.D. in biological sciences from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and wrote scientific articles for almost 20 years before starting to write gardening articles in 2004. Some people say they find overseeding both spring and fall works best for them. Ideally, the soil temperature … The best time of the year to overseed is in the fall. In transition zone states, such as North Carolina or Arkansas, September is typically the best month for planting tall fescue seed.1 If you plant late, expect lower germination rates and less hardy root establishment. Cool-season grasses like turf-type tall fescue and perennial rye sown over cold winter soils will germinate sooner than the same grass seed sown in April. The POA tends to be more in a clump and a lighter color than the fescue seedheads. The endophyte enters the seeds. Tall fescue seed needs soil temperatures near 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit for thorough germination and strong root development. Classically, fescue grass is sold in the form of seed which must be scattered, although it is also available in the form of grass plugs or sod. Elimination of Weed Control. As with all cool-season lawn grasses, the best time to plant tall fescue is during fall's prime growth season. A fescue lawn is tolerant of shaded areas, and cooler climates. Fall planting offers other benefits, too. Our Tall Fescue variety creates a dense dark green and drought tolerant lawn. Like other grasses, fescue does best when it has ample water, but it can survive drought periods, and it likes to be fertilized in the late spring and fall with a This allows for the right amount of protection and light penetration. Tall fescue requires consistent moisture during germination, fall typically provides this, with fewer heavy rain storms. Keep these steps in mind when planting a blue fescue from seeds. In transition zone lawns, ideal conditions may arrive in March. 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