All About Fescue Grass

Spring Care

• Fertilization - Our ongoing weed control and fertilization treatments (8 treatments per year) include treating existing and future weeds with pre- and post-emergent weed control. We apply our custom-blended fertilizer to your Fescue lawn for overall health and color.

• Fungicide treatments - Brown patch fungus is one of the most destructive diseases to Fescue. The damage of this soilborne disease first appears as circular areas of brown and dead grass surrounded by a narrow, dark ring. Brown patch fungus can return year after year, germinating and infecting healthy grass if not controlled.

Summer Care

• Mowing - Mowing your lawn at the correct height creates the appropriate canopy needed by your Fescue lawn to promote root growth and improve weed suppression. And lawns mowed at the right height also require less watering. This is important year-round.

• Fertilization & weed control - Late summer treatments include more post-emergent treatments for existing weeds where needed. We will continue using specialty fertilizers to ensure a thick, green lawn.

• Water - A healthy and established lawn needs about 1" of water per week. This amount of water will moisten the top 6-8 inches of soil, which helps develop a deep, healthy root system. Proper watering during the summer is the most important and is often neglected by the homeowner. Proper watering is important, especially in the summer months

Fall

• Core aeration and seeding - because fescue is a clump-style grass, it does not spread with stolons and rhizomes like warm-season grasses. Because of this, we highly recommend core aerating and overseeding your lawn annually in the fall. Core aeration loosens the soil, allowing nutrients, air, and water to reach the roots better. Our custom blend of seeds will help your Fescue lawn spread in thin areas.

• Mowing - Fescue can survive hot, dry summers if mowed properly throughout the year. Keeping it healthy in cool months will make it stronger in warm months. Maintain the mowing height as high as possible starting in the fall after you have overseeded. The grass should be 3.5 to 4 inches. Keeping the grass higher in the fall will aid the development of the young grass, and continuing this through the winter will aid in preventing winter weeds.

• Fertilization - Fall and early winter treatments include starter fertilizer for enhanced seed germination and recovery from the summer heat, followed by slow-release high-nitrogen fertilization to sustain growth in cooler weather.

Winter

• Mowing - We recommend mowing your Fescue grass every 5-7 days until the weather consistently hits 32 degrees Fahrenheit daily or until it stops growing. Continue mowing as needed until the weather warms up in the spring. Proper mowing of Fescue throughout the winter will help prevent weeds such as common chickweed and aid in younger grass development.

• Fertilization & weed control - Winter treatments include pre- and post-emergent applications designed to control invasive winter annual weeds like Bittercress and clover. This treatment also includes fertilizers and potassium to develop a strong root system which helps the turf maintain its health during winter dormancy. This is an essential application for a healthy lawn next spring.

• Clean up - It's important not to leave debris, excess leaves, or small objects on your Fescue lawn during the winter. Anything left out on the lawn can prevent proper airflow, sunlight, and nutrients to your lawn.

Did you know?

• Fescue grass roots can reach up to 2 to 3 feet deep.

• It requires less water and fertilization to stay healthy.

• Fescue has shown strong resilience to insects.

• New Fescue cultivars are constantly emerging on the market.