For tall fescue, the normal rate is generally 6 to 8 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet on bare soil. Cut that in half for overseeding and you get 3 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Water everything in and keep the seedbed consistently moist to ensure rapid germination. It’s a fine line.
When should I reseed fescue?
Fall is the best time to overseed (or plant) fescue grass seed. Ideally, you’ll put fescue seed down about three weeks before the first frost of the season. This will give the seeds plenty of germination time, allowing roots to establish before winter arrives.
Will fescue grass reseed itself?
One tall fescue plant can produce many tillers. Thus tall fescue turf can grow denser over time but a pure stand of tall fescue is unlikely to spread or fill in dead spots with new plants. ... The marketing name for the spreading trait varies, but they all imply a tall fescue lawn that will spread and repair itself .
Does fescue need overseeding?
If you lost only 25% of the lawn grass over the summer, you’ll want to spread 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet over the lawn area. IMPORTANT! Though it may be tempting to pour on the seed real heavy, if you’re existing fescue lawn is full and lush you do not need to overseed.
How do you encourage fescue to spread?
Mowing—Planted fescue seeds need a few weeks to mature before being mowed. Once they are given time to grow, most fescue lawns can be mowed when the grass is at four inches. Mowing your fescue lawn allows the fescue clumps to spread among your yard and promote a thick, full yard.
What month is best to put grass seed down?
Generally speaking, you can plant grass seed any time of the year, but fall is the best time to seed a lawn with a cool season turfgrass variety. Spring is the best time to plant warm season turfgrass seed.
Does fescue grass come back every year?
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. Under the right conditions, fescue is green year-round , but it can go dormant (brown) during severe heat and drought.
Will fescue choke out weeds?
One way to maintain this type of rough area grass in good condition is to allow it to go to seed once every few years. ... This is because course fescues and white clover will choke out finer lawn grasses , replacing them with unsightly big clumps of course-bladed grass.
What grass mixes well with tall fescue?
Generally, bluegrass grows better than tall fescue in moderate shade. When mixed with tall fescue, bluegrass tends to dominate where the soil is limed and the turf is adequately fertilized and mowed fairly short. Bluegrass should be mowed at a height of 1.5 to 2.5 inches when planted alone.
How do you maintain fescue grass?
- Mowing. Tall fescue should be mowed every 5 to 7 days and less often when the lawn is drought stressed. ...
- Fertilizing. Do not fertilize tall fescue at this time.
- Watering. Either water as needed to prevent drought or allow the lawn to go dormant. ...
- Disease Control. Check for brown patch disease. ...
- Weed Control. ...
- Insect Control.
Does fescue have to be reseeded every year?
Fescue grass seed germinates best in mild weather , which is why fall lawn seeding is the most popular time of the year to repopulate your turf. There are two main reasons why a turf type tall fescue lawn is likely to need seeding every year.
Is fescue or Kentucky bluegrass better?
The final notable difference is their preferred growing conditions. While Kentucky bluegrass is vulnerable to weeds and diseases during summer and in generally hot climates, tall fescue is rather heat-tolerant and is resistant to summertime disease and weed invasions such as crabgrass.
How long does fescue grass live?
It is the rhizomes from the bluegrass that hold the sod together and keep it from falling apart. Overseeding is important with tall fescue. A blade of grass only lives an average of 40 days before it dies . Grass must continue to produce new blades to replace the ones that are dying back.
Will fescue grow if not covered?
Will grass seed grow if not covered? Yes ; but there is more to know when seeding your lawn. Grass seed is resilient. Some seeds on the soil’s surface will sprout in spite of harsh treatment, but the germination rate will diminish and you will waste your investment and hard work.
Does fescue grass need a lot of water?
The turf in your lawn, Tall Fescue, is a drought tolerant grass, but it can still thin out if it does not receive enough water. ... Your goal should be to supply 1 inch of water per week to your turf. To properly care for Tall Fescue, it’s much better to water for a longer time and less frequently.
