- What is Tall Fescue?<\/a><\/li>
- Pros and Cons of Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Tall Fescue Monthly Maintenance Calendar<\/a><\/li>
- Tall Fescue Maintenance Tasks<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li>
- When to Hire a Lawn Care Pro<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is Tall Fescue?<\/h2>
Tall fescue grass is native to parts of Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and northern and central Asia. Despite not originating in the Americas, it does well in the upper half of the United States, where cool-season grasses thrive.<\/p>
What is cool-season grass?<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/a> grows actively in the temperate weather of spring and fall but goes dormant in the summer heat, making it suitable for colder northern climates. Tall fescue is more heat and drought-resistant than many cool-season grass types, so it\u2019s a good choice for lawns in the transition zone (aka the middle of the United States). <\/p>
Note: <\/strong>Do you live in the South? The lower half of the United States is better suited for warm-season grasses<\/a>. <\/p>
Tall fescue can grow in many soil types, but it does best in well-drained clay soils with high organic matter. It has moderate to coarse grass blades. The old standard cultivar for lawns is Kentucky-31, but improved tall fescues have a finer texture, better shoot density, darker green color, and higher tolerance for shade and low mowing.<\/p>
- Classification:<\/strong> Cool-season grass<\/li>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Shade tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Drought tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate<\/li>
- Traffic tolerance<\/strong>:<\/strong> Moderate, but it doesn\u2019t recover well<\/li>
- Maintenance needs<\/strong>:<\/strong> Low. Mow every 5 to 7 days and irrigate with one inch of water each week. Depending on the results of a laboratory soil test, expect to fertilize with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet during the growing seasons for a yearly total of 3 pounds.<\/li>
- Recommended mowing height<\/strong>:<\/strong> 2.0 to 4.0 inches (mow down<\/em> to this height)<\/li> <\/ul>
Pros and Cons of Tall Fescue<\/h2>
Every grass type has its vices and virtues. Here is why people like tall fescue and why they don\u2019t.<\/p>
Pros<\/strong><\/p>
\u2714 Low-maintenance<\/p>
\u2714 Tolerates heat and drought<\/p>
\u2714 Tolerates many soil types and conditions<\/p>
\u2714 Not vulnerable to chinch bugs, a common summer lawn pest<\/a><\/p>
\u2714 Is resistant to the lawn disease dollar spot<\/a> <\/p>
\u2714 It doesn\u2019t generate much thatch, the layer of plant debris that forms on the soil<\/p>
Cons<\/strong><\/p>
\u2718 Grows in bunches, meaning it won\u2019t fill in gaps quickly<\/p>
\u2718 Slow to recover from damage<\/p>
\u2718 Vulnerable to the lawn disease brown patch<\/a><\/p>
Tall Fescue Monthly Maintenance Calendar<\/h2>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gray-leaf-spot-11360-grayleafspot-tallfescue-plantsymptoms-leafspots-ltc.jpg?wsr\")
Gray leaf spot in tall fescue. Photo Credit: NC State Cooperative Extension<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Want to know how your lawn care schedule will look? This calendar shows how to care for your tall fescue lawn all year. The green check mark<\/strong> represents the best time<\/strong> to complete a task. The black check mark<\/strong> represents a possible time<\/strong> to complete a task. Not all lawn care tasks have ideal times.<\/p>
Want to know how your local climate affects your lawn care regimen? Contact your local cooperative extension for more information. <\/p>
- Spreads by:<\/strong> Bunch-type grass<\/li>
- Pros and Cons of Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li>