Fescue Grass Control: How to Maintain Fescue Grass Yearly

This article is a general yearly maintenance program for Fescue Grass. Using the products or methods suggested can help you get control of your turf. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and methods and we guarantee 100% improvement within your Fescue Grass.

Fescue Grass is a cool-seasoned grass found in most lawns within the middle and north of the United States, except for the southern half. As a cool-seasoned turf, Fescue Grass will have a higher tolerance for the cold and will grow well in cool-weather temperatures.

While there are different varieties of Fescue Grass it can generally be grouped into two categories fine or tall fescue. Each species will have a defined appearance, but can be generally recognized by its coarse light-to-dark-green blades and moderate bush-like coverage within lawns. All varieties of Fescue Grass will do well to grow in shaded areas due to its deep extensive root system which also enables it to resist drought and heat. Fescue Grasses deep root system, heat and wear tolerance provides you with a green lawn all year long.

When compared to other cool-seasoned grasses the maintenance requirements for Fescue Grass are relatively low. As a bunch gathering, perennial grass it will endure heavy amounts of foot traffic and compaction in the soil, making it a low-maintenance grass.

Our step-by-step DIY guide will show you exactly what you will need to do throughout the year to maintain your Fescue Grass. Follow the recommendations and products suggested and you can gain a better understanding of when and how to treat your Fescue Grass. If you have any questions then you can always call, email, or visit one of our stores where our trained professionals would be glad to answer your questions.

Identification

Before beginning a treatment approach, you need to properly identify Fescue Grass by knowing what it looks like. Misidentification can lead you to using the wrong products which can cost you time and money.

• Fescue grass can grow within the transition and northern part of United States.
• It is a cool-season grass with tolerance to heat, drought, foot traffic, and shade.
• Fescue Grass has an extensive root system between 2 to 3 feet deep.
• Fescue Grass grows above ground in clumps and spreads through tillers-a vertical segmented stem that grows from the base of grass itself. The tillers are segmented into its own two-parted leaf.
• Fescue Grass prefers cold climates, and shaded areas.
• Fescue Grass can grow in any poor soil climates such as sand or clay.

Use the description above and the images to help you properly identify Fescue Grass. If you are having trouble identifying it, contact us and send a photo of your grass and we will identify it for you.

Inspection

After you have confirmed that the grass you have is Fescue Grass, you can then move forward with inspection. In this phase, you will need to determine where the Fescue Grass is growing and what the growing conditions are. This will help you make cultural changes to your lawn and figure where to focus your applications.

When to Inspect

Fescue Grass is a persistent perennial foliage that can grow all year long in the middle and upper half of the United States. Typically, you will see an increase of population within the first half of fall.

What to Look For

Fescue Grass will cover a large portion of your yard including shaded areas underneath your trees or shrubs. Be on the lookout for their broad and sometimes tall leaves which forms a bunch covering in your yard. Some species of Fescue Grass will grow low to the ground forming a creeping covering or will grow high above the ground.

Treatment

Before starting any type of treatment, make sure to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that will protect your eyes, mouths, face, hands, and feet.

It is best to begin in the early fall or spring if the temperatures are cool.

Step 1: Mow in March to September as Needed

Since Fescue Grass typically stays green all year it will be hard to tell when it is out of dormancy. You will want to wait at least two weeks into your spring season to allow enough time for the grass to emerge from dormancy.

Try pulling on the Fescue Grass blades, if it dormant then the grass blades will not easily pull out.

The ideal mowing height for Fescue Grass is between 2 to 3 inches. Mow when Fescue Grass exceeds 3 inches, typically you will mow every other 2 weeks. When it comes closer to summer your grass will slow down in growth and not need as much mowing.

Step 2: Water Your Lawn Throughout The Year

Frequent watering is not needed for Fescue Grass, but it will still benefit from an occasional deep watering of about 1 inch of water per week.

Areas containing sandy soil will require at least 1.5 inches of water per week.

Best to apply with a sprinkler early in the morning to give your Fescue Grass enough time to soak in the moisture. If applied in the middle or evening, be wary that this can cause the grass to be susceptible to diseases.

Step 3: Apply Weed Control in April and October

In April and October you will want to apply a pre-emergent herbicide.

Applying a pre-emergent herbicide during this time is more beneficial for your Fescue Grass because during the cooler months weeds will begin to germinate underneath the soil. It should only be used when weeds are not already present within your turf.

We recommended using Barricade Granular Pre-Emergent Herbicide due to its flexibility on various grass types and ability to prevent weeds from germinating. For a general application, you will want to use 4 lbs. of product per 1,000 sq. ft. A 10 lb. bag of this product can treat up to 5,000 sq. ft.

Apply a post-emergent herbicide anytime when you see weeds in your lawn. Keep in mind you cannot apply a pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicide at the same time.

A recommended post-emergent herbicide we like to use is MSM Turf Herbicide which can eliminate a large variety of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Due to it being a selective herbicide it will work to kill the target weeds without harming your Fescue Grass. For a general application, you will put between 0.025 to 0.05 fl. oz. (1/2 to 1 gram) of MSM Turf Herbicide in a gallon of water per acre.

Step 4: Disease Control in June, July, or August

Keep an eye on your lawn from June to August for brown patches, fungi, and other visible diseases as this is when they are most commonly seen in Fescue Grass.

Treat as needed with our recommended Patch Pro Fungicide to remove numerous fungi and other diseases such as mildew or blight from your turf. Patch Pro should be applied at a rate of 1 oz. of product per gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft. For example, if you have a yard that is 2,500 sq. ft., then you would need to mix 1.5 to 10 fl. oz. of Patch Pro Fungicide in 2.5 gallons of water.

Step 5: Fertilize and Test Your Soil in September

Fescue Grass does not need much fertilization since it will pull on the nutrients far beneath the soil with its dense, deep roots.

If you must apply a fertilizer then the best time to apply would be in September when Fescue Grass is actively growing. Before applying a fertilizer it would be best to perform a soil test to determine if the turf's pH levels are at a minimum of 5.5 to 6.5 or if there are any diseases that may not be visible in your turf.

You will want to apply a fall fertilizer that contains a nitrogen level of at least 5%. For best results within your turf use a granular fertilizer to slowly release nutrients into your Fescue Grass. This will allow your turf to have a longer time frame to pull nutrients from to fight against weeds, fungi, and promote new growth throughout the season.

Key Takeaways

How to Identify Fescue Grass

• Fescue Grass is an adaptable cool-seasoned grass that can tolerate heat, cold, shade, and drought. The main characteristic to look out for is the signature bunch or clump growth pattern. It will either grow high above the ground or be spread across the turf in wide coarse leaves.

How to Care For Your Fescue Grass

• Fescue Grass is a low-maintenance turf that requires little watering or fertilization. You will have to ensure a proper mowing, weeding, and disease control schedule throughout the year.

What is the Best Fertilizer for Fescue Grass?

• A fertilizer that contains at least 5% nitrogen with a slow release formulation. It is best to perform a soil test to ensure the proper nutrients levels of your Fescue Grass is being met.