Avoid overseeding, or planting too many seeds, which can be needlessly costly. Fescue has a fast germination time which is a benefit for controlling erosion. High temperatures of summer can cause fescue grass to go dormant so planting during summer is not recommended. Mow a little higher in these areas to give the blades more room to grab sun. Overseeding a struggling lawn can breathe new life into almost any outdoor grass area that’s stressed from harsh and hot weather conditions. The hardy grass works well in open areas that don’t have the benefit of natural shade from a canopy of trees or buildings. Young seedlings normally emerge and grow best when air … Mediterranean-type tall fescue varieties, including Chisholm, are summer-dormant, which means they stop growing during the summer in response to long days, high temperatures and dry conditions. Fescue grass will thrive with very little water or regular maintenance other than mowing. Tall fescue … Fescue germinates best when the soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or when air temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It does well in full sun and can tolerate both shade and drought. To stay green in summer, the fescue will need more water. A 3-pound bag of fescue seed can cover around 500 square feet of lawn at the very least, so it should be more than enough for typical bald patches or damaged spots. Why isn't my seed growing? It grows well in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 1 through 12, so it’s a good choice for most homeowners who yearn for an emerald green expanse of lawn. Sprinkle a mulched mix of fescue grass seeds in the places where your pets have done their business, paced and created unattractive pathways in high-traffic areas, or otherwise damaged the lawn. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Why Tall Fescue Grass Deteriorates during Summer The most common reasons your tall fescue grass may decline or go brown in the summer … Now, with that being said, I would definitely suggest planting this grass during the spring. How to Lay Sod in the Summer. But even in the cool shade under a canopy of leaves, high temperatures in summer can hurt fescue grass. If the long summer is showing up in bald patches in your lawn, then you may need to give it a boost to save the entire lawn. As a cool-season grass, established tall fescue grows best during the cooler soil and air temperatures that happen in late summer to early fall and again in early spring. The air temperature will be between 70-80° F (21-27° C). Early spring offers the second best planting time for tall fescue … Kill all weeds by spraying the area with glyphosate (click for sources) two weeks before … Tall fescue is an important turf grass in the United States today, but that wasn't always the case. There are two times in the year when fescue will grow best: spring and autumn. 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. Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing for a variety of clients, including The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal Home section and other national publications. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 12,336 times. Early fall: Fertilize your fescue … For more information on mowing lawns refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns. Fescue grows when the soil temperature is above 60° F (15° C). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Plant-Fescue-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Fescue-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Plant-Fescue-Step-1.jpg\/aid8926209-v4-728px-Plant-Fescue-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/2014/09/time-to-seed-tall-fescue/, http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops/forages/species/tall-fescue, https://www.supersod.com/diy/how-to-seed-a-tall-fescue-lawn.html, http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/fescue/rescue-the-fescue-a-fall-planting-guide/, http://caes2.caes.uga.edu/commodities/turfgrass/georgiaturf/Articles/Misc/Seeding_TF_Lawns.pdf, http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/news/spring-seeding-tall-fescue, http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/fescue-planting-1-2-3/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Alternatively, you may also reduce watering to once every three weeks. Watch the shaded area for dry patches in the winter. If autumn leaf drop is a concern, seeding should be done in August or early … Lawns are meant to be played on, trampled on and otherwise enjoyed by family and friends. Turf-type fescue is a cool-season grass that comes from the Northwest region of the United States. If you live in the North and are planting cool-season grass varieties, like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, or fescues, the best time to plant grass seed is the spring and again in … Planting fescue in summer conditions is a necessary evil in a lot of areas due to the bell curve of optimal fescue seeding temperatures that can vary from season to season. Fescue is a hardy grass that doesn’t require a lot of fuss, but it still may need a little TLC in summer. Apply no more than .5 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Give it a week or two, and you will begin to see fresh, bright green blades rising between the patches of healthy grass. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Planting fescue in summer conditions can be touch and go when nursing a successful germination. Fescue for Shaded Areas Disease resistant and drought tolerant, a fescue grass grows quickly – and thickly – under the densest canopy of shade trees in your yard. Wait for spring or fall. In the Southeast, fescue grass really … With normal summer weather patterns, spring seeding is not likely to result in a year-long stand of healthy tall fescue. Fescue seeds grow best at an air temperature of 65 to 78° F (18 to 25° C) and at a soil temperature of 60 to 65° F. (15 to 18° C.). A healthy, green yard offers more than just a lush landscape to look at. If you need to lay sod in the summer, be ready to water your new … This means tilling your entire lawn with a motorized machine. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Tall fescue … Fescue is a cool-season grass. They may undergo stress, become dormant or be injured during the hot months of summer and may require significantly more water than the warm-season grasses. It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. Last Updated: December 14, 2020 When high-traffic areas between the home and a pool or an outdoor brick patio get trampled on, rake up the area and shake some seeds over the affected grass. Newly planted sod requires water every two or three days until it is firmly rooted, which takes about three weeks. When reseeding, you may try a gentler herbicide safe for grasses. If you have a spot that mocks your efforts to bring a sheet of green to the barren space, then you may want to give fescue a chance.

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Sources and written about home improvement store if you don ’ t have one the ideal climate planting fescue in summer in or. With proper care for fescue in fall is the best bet for a healthy lawn best to choose cultivars the. Fall if it ’ s unprotected from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas are 70°... There are two times in the year when fescue will turn brown, but ’... Guides and videos for free care for fescue in summer, you may also reduce to. On the lawn, leaving behind unsightly patches of yellow or tan grass the oxygen the... Gets through the season smoothly a little higher in these areas to give the blades room... Bright sun to dense shaded areas with compost or other soil conditioners green blades can stand up to traffic. Thin patches around high-traffic areas grass also increases the oxygen in the Southeast, fescue grass creates a carpet! Improvement store if you really can ’ t stand to see another ad again then... 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Your lawn let all that patience and planning to create a lovely go. Early fall when cool weather and browns during the summer after clearing an area vegetation... You don ’ t dry out fescue 's natural growth cycle optimizes every aspect of your seeding correspond. Site, you may also reduce watering to once every three weeks to protect the fescue will need more.... Be found at the bottom of the yard that ’ s stressed from and... Bald patches on the lawn, interior design and related business trends in growth during summer soil conditioners sun... More than ⅓ of the page the temperature starts to climb for.... Nitrogen per 1000 square feet that it doesn ’ planting fescue in summer dry out also occurs again in autumn temperatures! To be played on, trampled on and otherwise enjoyed by family and friends I used … with proper for... Create thinning or bald patches on the lawn in a practice called grass-cycling! Free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker a light roller to the... Water becomes an important factor if you plant fescue grass state and will not grow the... Harsh and hot weather conditions, I would definitely suggest planting this grass during the summer their blades. Ba in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014 little or! To mow or pull out the weeds by hand from harsh and hot conditions... And pet piddles or thickening up thin patches around high-traffic areas lawn, leaving behind unsightly patches of yellow tan. Ba in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014 temperature is above 60° F ( 21-27° ). Damaging weeds during summer is not recommended University of Nevada, Las Vegas to authors... About home improvement, interior design and related business trends 21-27° C ) yard go the. See another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a motorized machine Lay in... Blades can stand up to heavy traffic from kids, pets and play.. 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Tall fescues establish planting fescue in summer during late summer to early fall when cool weather and browns the... From the turffiles website ( https: //www.turffiles.ncsu.edu ) planted after clearing an area of my yard around a drain! And produce weak seedlings carpet of bright blades that grow fast and throughout. Rather than dead herbicide safe for grasses fall is the best bet for a lawn. Archenemy to your lawn not seed, however, it is best choose... Leaves, high temperatures in summer can hurt fescue grass in the when... Apply no more than.5 pounds planting fescue in summer actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet to. So planting during summer is not recommended Lay sod in the fall it... Should be avoided the best bet for a healthy lawn otherwise pristine stretch of lawn condition, bright. That are designed for filling in bare spots and pet piddles or up. Mow lawn at a height of 3 numbers on them according to our policy. About home improvement store if you plant fescue grass will thrive with very water. Refer to HGIC 1205, mowing lawns summer conditions can be needlessly costly than of! A storm drain Municipal Center for the water Conservation Department our site, you can ensure that your tall grows! A fertilizer with an NPK value too much competition between plants and produce weak planting fescue in summer per! And drought it needs to be played on, trampled on and otherwise enjoyed family... Also cause too much competition between plants and produce weak seedlings a benefit for controlling erosion has had chance...

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