Keeping a Healthy Fescue Lawn

I rarely recommend planting tall fescue in Wilson because our summers are typically way too hot for tall fescue to survive. Tall fescue does do well in certain locations such as shade and if you have an irrigation system. Below are some helpful hints if you already have tall fescue or planning to plant this year. Remember tall fescue prefers light shade and irrigation.

Now is the time to get your fescue lawn green and healthy. From the middle of September until the middle of October, over-seeding of tall fescue can be done. NC State recommends using 6 pounds of seed (a tall fescue blend, this can be purchased or you can mix your own using three cultivars of tall fescue) per 1000 square feet for establishing a new lawn. The reason you use a blend is different tall fescue grasses do better in certain microclimates (shade, sun, wet, dry) by blending you maximize your success of getting a green lush lawn.

Aeration will stimulate root growth of established fescue. A core aerator removes a core of soil from the lawn and deposits it on top which is preferred over a spike aerator.

Fescue lawns can keep you from not getting bored on the holidays and is an easy way to remember when to fertilize, Labor Day (September), Thanksgiving (November) and Valentine's Day (February). It is best to soil test at least every three years to determine the optimal lime and fertilizer requirements for your lawn. Soil kits are available at the Ag. Center, 1806 S. Goldsboro Street, take advantage of this free service! In absence of a soil test NC State recommends a turf-grade fertilizer such as 12-4-8 or 16-4-8. Fertilization applications should be made in September and November with 1 pound Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet and then again in February with 1/2 to 1 pound Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

Post-emergence annual weeds can be sprayed for November through March, such as henbit. Post-emergence summer weeds, like crabgrass, can be treated from April until mid-June. Perennial weeds like dandelions can be sprayed for October and November or April and May. To learn more about the proper herbicide to use contact the Wilson Master Gardeners at 237-0113.

You may be able to combine your fertilization with weed prevention by using a weed and feed product. Just make sure it is safe on the grass and labeled for the weeds you want to kill. Plus it needs to be applied the right time to fertilize and the right time to control the weed. These two things sometimes do not occur at the same time.

Sometimes the lawn has weeds and spraying with a herbicide is not the answer. Many weeds are a sign of other problems. Plantain grows in areas were the pH is too high (too much lime). Perhaps you have annual blue grass that might be a sign of too high soil Nitrogen.

Do not forget to irrigate your lawn year round, if mother nature does not provide it. Irrigation is essential for proper seed germination and helps reduce chances of grass decline or other pest problems. Remember the golden rule of irrigation, once your lawn is established, is to water deeply and less frequently. You also need to know how much water your irrigation system puts out.

The Master Gardener Volunteers gardening hotline is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1-3 PM at 237-0113 or via email at wilsonmastergardener@hotmail.com.

The Ag. Center has turf grass demonstration plots to see how different grasses grow. Come take a look at the three tall fescue plots. So get that fescue growing and happy mowing!

Date Created: 12/10/2004.