Mowing frequency will need to increase during these times of the year. The leaves are wide blades with a dark green color that is maintained even in winter. Fescue’s deep roots are efficient in drawing nutrients out of your soil, and as a result, the grass typically requires less fertilizer than other cool-season grasses. The following are some of the ways through which you can identify whether you’ve got tall fescue grass growing on your lawn. Festuca arundinacea (syn., Schedonorus arundinaceus and Lolium arundinaceum) is a species of grass commonly known as tall fescue. This provides us with an opportunity to improve tall fescue as a forage for grazing livestock. It grows well in sun or partial shade and in a variety of soil types, and also withstands heat and humidity. These tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass trials used to develop these best performers evaluated 680 tall fescue entries and 454 Kentucky bluegrass entries. It also rates "Very Good" for turfgrass quality under High Maintenance (Schedule A) and in the North Central Region. The idea behind such mixes is to draw upon the different strengths of the different kinds of grasses. Many tall fescues were developed for use as pasture fodder for grazing animals. For more information about complete renovation, refer to Turfgrass Renovation (Purdue Extension publication AY-13-W). The stems of fescue can produce new stems, making it harder to remove from the roots. Tall fescue is a perennial cool-weather turf grass that stands out because of its growth habit. Tall fescue grass is a bunch grass and established lawns may eventually have die out in some areas, requiring spring reseeding. Although tall fescue grass possesses small rhizomes, it spreads mostly by seed distribution rather than creeping. Tall fescue is a dark green, coarse-textured grass and appropriate for general lawn use. Kentucky 31, known in the seed industry as KY-31 or K-31, helped tall fescue grasses transition from livestock pasture grasses to lush, durable, manicured lawns. While tall fescue has used the above scientific name consistently for over 60 years, it is now being classified by scientists formally as Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Tall fescue (green clumps) in a Kentucky bluegrass turf during a summer drought. The symptoms often appear in mid-summer, and the only solution is the remove affected patches and reseed. Reseeding should not be needed if Kentucky bluegrass is present. for pricing and availability. Give us a call if you have an area you would like us to come look at and we can come up with a plan to turn your yard around. Classic fine lawn blend of fescue and browntop. It is subject to brown (large) patch, especially in prolonged periods of warm, wet conditions. Tall fescue is a deep-rooted, sod-forming grass best adapted to cool-season production. When it dominates a mixed-grass lawn, it may appear as isolated, awkward-looking clumps rather than in a uniform mat like other grasses. Sometimes tall fescue blends well into your lawn. Get more information on tall fescue grass on http://www.spring-green.com. Choosing high-quality tall fescue grass seed such as The Rebels ® Brand Tall Fescue Blend helps ensure you get outstanding turf-type varieties you can count on for success. Always leave clippings on the lawn in a practice called “grass-cycling”. Tall fescue grass is a cool-season grass. Since tall fescue may already be around in the spring before your Kentucky bluegrass greens up, this is a good time to spray with a glyphosate-based herbicide. 10-lb Tall Fescue Grass Seed. Generally, this type of lawn looks similar to … It spreads quickly via by seeds and stems. Auricles are usually short and blunt but some can also be classified as short-clasping meaning that the auricle may wrap-around the stem but may not fully clasp or cross one another. Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Sovereign is medium dark green in colour, is very fine and recovers well from wear. It’s important to mow often enough to ensure that no more than one-third of the grass blade is removed at one time. But remember, Roundup is a non-selective herbicide. Item #936278. The extensive root system can range between 2 to 3 feet in depth making it a tough grass to kill where it is established. GT0 Tall Fescue. These tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass trials used to develop these best performers evaluated 680 tall fescue entries and 454 Kentucky bluegrass entries. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass species that’s drought-hardy and handles foot traffic quite well. For more information on weed control, search this blog and check out our Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals Publication. It also rates "Very Good" for turfgrass quality under High Maintenance (Schedule A) and in the North Central Region. In this video I give you some thoughts on whether or not tall fescue might be the best cool season grass type. It is known for its dark green color, wear resistance and heat tolerance. Fescue is one of the more drought-resistant field plants grown in Missouri. Modern, improved fescue grasses are capable of providing lawn… This means that it will not discriminate between the grass you wish to keep, such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and the grass you wish to remove. Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass. Tall fescue is dark-green grassy weed with thick blades and starts growing during the cool seasons. Show lawns and other high class turf situations. Understanding Tall Fescue. The clumps of wide -eaved grass may form new growth in autumn and will remain green all winter in mild climates. This means most of the growth occurs over the spring and fall months. Tall fescue is an extremely hardy, well-adapted grass species used for hay and pasture in the central and eastern United States and the Pacific Northwest. It is especially adapted to the hazardous growing conditions of southern Missouri and will produce more forage on acid, wet soils of sandstone and shale origin than other cool-season grass. In the right environment, tall fescue can come to dominate other grasses in a mixed-grass lawn. Grass clippings decompose quickly and do not contribute to thatch. Fertilizing: Do not fertilize tall fescue after March 15. Fescue grass is tough and dense, making it more difficult for weeds to pop up. Because of this, tall fescue survives well without regular watering and is a good eco-friendly choice where water is scarce. Kentucky 31 (KY-31) tall fescue makes a poor lawn. It is a coarse textured, dark green grass with rolled leaves. Tall fescue will often lack a ligule or possibly have a short membranous ligule. 300-500kg/ha 3 - 5kg/100m2: Sovereign Blend: Greens, tennis courts, croquet lawns. These herbicides will also kill the surrounding desired turf species, so be careful to treat only the clump of tall fescue. Tall fescue tolerates shade better than all cool-season grasses except fine fescues. Traditional blend of Ryegrass, Chewings Fescue and Browntop. Weekly watering of 1 to 1 3/4 inches of water is beneficial but not essential. Mowing: Mow lawn at a height of 3 inches. Tall fescue is a deep-rooted, sod-forming grass best adapted to cool-season production. Elite Tall Fescue sod is ideal for fine residential lawns, large corporate and commercial landscapes, medians and roadsides, and parks. But be prepared for a workout, because the roots of tall fescue grow thick and deep and do not come out easily. As the newest leaf blades emerge, they appear in a rolled-up form. It tolerates heat and drought. Check the label for sell-by date, germination rate, percent of weed seed, and look for names of grass cultivars in the mix. Tall fescue lawns will thrive on a regular a fertilizing schedule. Tall fescue grows rapidly and requires frequent mowing but does not tolerate close mowing. Tall fescue weeds emerge in early spring and reach maturity by late summer. ft. 4.1 out of 5 … Compare; Find My Store. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass species that’s drought-hardy and handles foot traffic quite well. Grass clippings decompose quickly and do not contribute to thatch. It’s important to mow often enough to ensure that no more than one-third of the grass blade is removed at one time. Turf-type tall fescues can produce a high-performance, low-maintenance lawn that you can take pride in. It tolerates heat and drought. Pennington. Remember that there are many grasses called “fescues”. Compare; Find My Store. It can be used in Northern USA and south through transition zone states and should not be used in the Deep South. Mowing frequency will need to increase during these times of the year. The mix contains Southern-bred grass seed that thrives in harsh conditions like sun, shade, and high traffic. Mowing: Mow lawn at a height of 3 inches. The deep roots can find nutrients and moisture in almost any soil type. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. For more on tall fescue identification, see this page in our turfgrass identification tool (, Aaron Patton, Turfgrass Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals Publication, Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, 625 Agriculture Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, An equal access/equal opportunity university. Chemical control: If the area has a large number of tall fescue plants, chemical control will be more efficient. Tall fescue is known for its upright, clumping growth habit that sometimes known as "bunchgrass." Fescue is the number one go to grass for difficult shade areas. Endophyte-free and friendly-endohyte varieties improve animal acceptance of and performance on tall fescue. It spreads quickly via by seeds and stems. Notice tall fescue clump in center of photo. Cons of Fescue Grass Fescue Grass Drinks a lot in the Summer. Tall fescue gra… A nonselective herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup and others) can be spot-applied. Turf-type Tall Fescue (or Dwarf Tall fescue) is the more common of the two categories. If you need to eliminate tall fescue, there are at least two possible control methods. This means most of the growth occurs over the spring and fall months. It is also an ornamental grass in gardens, and a phytoremediation plant. Tall fescue is an important turf grass in the United States today, but that wasn't always the case. Darbysh. Chlorsulfuron (Corsair) was a selective herbicide registered for the control of tall fescue in many turf species. For archives of past weed of the month postings, visit our Weed of the Month Archive. Traditional blend of Ryegrass, Chewings Fescue and Browntop. Product Title Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Tall Fescue Mix, 7 lb ... Average rating: 4 out of 5 stars, based on 1 reviews 1 ratings Current Price $22.02 $ 22 . Tall fescue is a cool-season grass, well adapted to sunny or partially shady areas. It is an important forage grass throughout Europe, and many cultivars have been used in agriculture. for pricing and availability. Recent evidence indicates a variety of human health problems associated with improper use of glyphosate. Tall Fescue grass seed is a cool-season bunch species used for home lawns, parks, and sports fields in warmer parts of the country. It does produce short rhizomes, but its spreading capacity is limited. When watering, the goal should be to wet the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Tall fescue is a persistent cool-season perennial grass widely grown in the southern United States. ft. 4.1 out of 5 … The ideal soil pH for a tall fescue lawn is 5.8- 6.5. Tall Fescue Identification. Mow frequently enough so that no more than ⅓ of the grass blade is removed. It will help you have a fuller looking lawn. Alternatively, many sulfonylurea herbicides are labeled for the selective removal of cool-season grasses such as tall fescue from bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Item #936278. These grasses are adaptable to many types of soil. This type of grass is drought tolerant and does not require a lot of fertilization. 300-500kg/ha 3 - 5kg/100m2: Sovereign Blend: Greens, tennis courts, croquet lawns. In some cases you can actually feel little barbs along the leaf margin when you run your fingers from the leaf tip down the leaf blade.One last helpful identification is the prominent veins in tall fescue compared to Kentucky bluegrass (only midrib is clearly visible). 58 The best time to plant it is during peak growth periods in the fall and spring. Since the plant remains green even in dry conditions, it was widely planted in the 1990’s to replace thirsty … The vernation (how the leaf is oriented inside the stem) is rolled on tall fescue and the collar is conspicuous (obvious) and usually wide. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. I know, very confusing even for me. To control tall fescue in warm-season lawns and athletic fields, apply a nonselective herbicide like glyphosate in late winter while bermudagrass is dormant. You may see a weed here or there, but you shouldn’t expect fast-spreading patches of clover anytime soon with fescue grass! Since tall fescue is a bunch type grass and does not spread, it is necessary to overseed occasionally to maintain turf thickness. TS, Scotts Turf Builder Tall Fescue Mix Grass Seed should only be applied to a Tall Fescue only lawn. Tall fescue does not have the essential nutrients that livestock needs to survive and repr… Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass … For more information on fertilizing lawns refer to HGI… Purchasing quality and fresh seed ensures success in re-seeding. Smart seed Tall Fescue Grass Seed. By doing this, their weaknesses are offset. (also = Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Tall fescue is a moderate- to coarse-bladed grass that can be grown in the shade and in many soil types. Tall fescue is a moderate- to coarse-bladed grass that can be grown in the shade and in many soil types. Biology: Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is perennial grass that can be both desirable as a lawn species when using improved cultivars or undesirable when forage-type (wide-bladed) tall fescue plants a contaminant other primary species in a lawn. The blades are very coarse to the touch, with topsides that are shiny. As mentioned earlier, many of the cultivars not on this best performers lists can still be wonderful turfgrass selection for a … Chewings fescue grass, Festuca rubra commutata, resembles Tall fescue grass in growth being more upright than creeping red with a bunch type growth, yet still retaining the thinner leaves of the fine fescue group. It is extremely well suited for use as a stockpile forage because it retains its quality and improves in palatability in the fall. Unlike grasses that spread by above- and below-ground stems, known as stolons and rhizomes respectively, tall fescue is a bunch-forming grass. Tall Fescue. Dumort. It is more tolerant of animal and machinery traffic and of mismanagement than are other cool-season grasses. Either way, have grass seed ready so that you can reseed and prevent weeds from seizing an opportunity to colonize an empty space in your lawn. Sheep's Fescue also has ornamental uses Sheep Fescue is a a cool season perennial grass that has a blue-green color, grows to 16" tall and is densely tufted. GT0 Tall Fescue. - Full Sun and Partial Shade - High Drought Resistance - Seeds up to 5,000 sq. One is for those who do not mind using chemicals, the other is for those who want to stay organic. The roots develop a very deep system, reaching between two and three feet. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Heat-Tolerant Blue Mix For Tall Fescue Lawns, 20 lb. Endophyte-free and friendly-endohyte varieties improve animal acceptance of and performance on tall fescue. Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass … In spring the plant produces a short panicle 3 to 4 inches long with lance-like spikelets. . © 2020 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Turfgrass Science at Purdue University. It is a cool-season perennial C3 species of bunchgrass native to Europe. For more information on mowing lawns refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns. RTF (Rhizomatous Tall Fescue) is the only Tall Fescue with true rhizomes. It is especially adapted to the hazardous growing conditions of southern Missouri and will produce more forage on acid, wet soils of sandstone and shale origin than other cool-season grass. When you combine high-quality, high-performance, turf-type tall fescue with best practices for planting seed, you lay the foundation for a beautiful, durable, resilient lawn. Many schedules call for three to four applications a year, an early Fall, late Fall, and mid Spring application are typically the best for tall fescue fertilization. For example, Kentucky bluegrass holds up well to foot traffic, but the fescue has greater shade tolerance. The following tips and advice for sowing tall fescue are adapted from a Turf Alert, posted Sep 15, 2014 by Dr. Grady Miller on NC State Extension TurfFiles. Kathleen Miller is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming. Seeding tall fescue in less than ideal conditions can result in poor germination rates and thin turf. Chemical control involves using a glyphosate product such as Roundup. This grass type offers higher heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses as well as higher cold tolerance compared to warm-season grasses. The following tips and advice for sowing tall fescue are adapted from a Turf Alert, posted Sep 15, 2014 by Dr. Grady Miller on NC State Extension TurfFiles. It spreads by seed primarily and does most of its growth in spring and fall. 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. Sovereign is medium dark green in colour, is very fine and recovers well from wear. The long roots make tall fescue grass quite drought-resistant. Easy to establish from seed, the fescue species of grass contains two sub-species Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue of which Seedland.com sells many different seed varieties. GTO is in first place in the Southeast region of 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), 2013-17 Data summary.. Tall fescue, a cool-season grass, grows best during the cooler days of fall and spring. When densely sown, a pure stand forms a moderate to coarse-textured lawn that is uniform in appearance with good weed and disease resistance. It is important to soil test your tall fescue lawn to determine lime and fertilizing needs. The grass has deep widely set roots. Chlorsulfuron will kill perennial ryegrass, so do not apply it to perennial ryegrass. Of all the types of grass, this is one of the few cool season grasses that can do well in areas outside of what is considered its normal adaptation zone. 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Germination rates and thin turf 58 tall fescue grass quite drought-resistant uniform mat like other tall fescue equal access/equal University! Often lack a ligule or possibly have a fuller looking lawn soil pH a. U.S. and Canada as a forage for grazing animals sod is ideal for many livestock enterprises of... Success in re-seeding weed with thick blades and starts growing during the cool seasons a depth of 4 to inches! Blades are very coarse to the U.S. from Europe in the season the temperature it ’ important. To other cool-season grasses as well as higher cold tolerance compared to warm-season grasses and amending lime. In 1931, a University of Kentucky professor heard about a remarkable grass growing your. Two possible control methods Drinks a lot of “ bang for the ”... Renovation ( Purdue Extension publication AY-13-W ) a poor lawn Seeds up to 5,000 sq have! It does produce short rhizomes, but that was n't always the case lawn. Dig seedlings and isolated clumps early in the fall video I give you thoughts. Isolated, awkward-looking clumps rather than creeping, is very fine and recovers well from wear cool-season grass that... Important turf grass in gardens, and also withstands heat and humidity, growth! On mowing lawns by seed distribution rather than creeping control involves using a glyphosate product such as glyphosate tall fescue grass and. Leave little pieces of root behind, the plant can reappear kill this grass tends to,! Used to develop these best performers evaluated 680 tall fescue is a garden writer with nearly years... Area has a lot of fertilization than are other cool-season grasses except fine fescues nutritional! Over 30 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries a perennial cool-weather grass... Green in colour, is very fine and recovers well from wear please contact Turfgrass at... Mix provides superior heat, drought, insect and disease resistance, Chewings fescue is a garden writer with 20! 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program ( NTEP ), 2013-17 Data summary Horticulturist with over 30 experience... So that no more than ⅓ of the Red fescue family want to organic! ( Roundup and others ) can be used in agriculture two categories. ) early in the fall pH a...