Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue is one of the most popular lawn grasses in the United States. Widely adapted, it persists as far north as the Great Lakes and as far south as Atlanta and Dallas. Tall Fescue is a deep-rooted cool season grass that remains green during summer heat and drought stress when Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass and fine fescue go dormant.

Adaptation

Tall fescue is a long-lived perennial when grown in the transition zone between the cool humid and warm humid regions. Farther north, tall fescue is prone to winter injury. It gradually thins out until only scattered, coarse textured plants remain. Tall fescue is fairly heat tolerant compared with other cool season species. It is the most drought and wear tolerant cool season species. Tall fescue is superior to bluegrass and perennial ryegrass in shade tolerance, but it is inferior to fine fescue in the shade.

Use

Tall fescue produces excellent turf in sunny to moderately shady conditions throughout the mid-section of the country. It is recommended for home lawns, athletic turf, parks, and golf course roughs.

Culture

Tall fescue performs best when mowed at 2-3". It should be seeded as a monostand (single species), without being mixed with other cool season grasses. For best results plant SS1000, a blend of 3 adapted turf-type tall fescue varieties. (go to price list for more information) K-31 and Fawn tall fescue are pasture grasses which should never be used on residential lawns or other fine turf areas.