Fescue can be grown successfully in the south if a few guidelines are followed. Seeding must be done during the correct times to give the new plants time to establish themselves before adverse weather conditions, cold wet winters or hot dry summers, arrive. The best time is in the fall between the middle of September and the middle of October. Fescue is a cool season grass so it does its best growing in the fall and early winter if it is mild enough. Also there is much less competition from germinating weeds. The second best time is in early spring between the first of March and the middle of April. Any other times you are taking your chances.

You must properly prepare the seed bed to allow the roots to penetrate our hard clay soil easily when they are young. Plowing, tilling or spading to a depth of 3” is a must. Don’t expect to be able to scratch the soil a few times with a rake and get a lawn to grow. It ain’t going to happen. After the soil is thoroughly pulverized rake it out smoothly and evenly so that there are no low spots or high spots. Remove any rocks, clods or debris larger than a golf ball.

Apply the appropriate type of seed for your light conditions (sun or shade) at the recommended rates. Do not be tempted to seed heavily thinking you can establish a thick lawn faster. It just doesn’t work. All you are doing is encouraging disease and competition for nutrients and water.

Test your soil ph to determine if lime is needed.You can use a simple ph test kit or send a soil sample to the cooperative extension service for testing. A ph above 6.5 is good for fescue. If the ph is under 6.5 lime will be needed. It takes 40 pounds of lime per 1000 sq. ft. of lawn to raise the ph from 6.0 to 7.0.

It takes about 3 seasons to get a good thick stand of fescue established if you follow the program outlined below.

In FEBRUARY fertilizer needs to be applied. Espoma Lawn Fertilizer at 5 lbs. per 1000 sq.ft .

Fertilize again inthe beginning ofAPRIL. Espoma Lawn Fertilizer at 5 lbs. per 1000 sq.ft

In SEPTEMBER Apply Espoma Lawn Fertilizer at 5 lbs. per 1000 sq.ft .

Overseed in early OCTOBER. 3-5 LBS. PER 1000 SQ. FT.

In NOVEMBER Apply Espoma Lawn Fertilizer at 5 lbs. per 1000 sq.ft .

A lawn that is growing strongly, is properly fertilized and watered will fight off most diseases and weed invasions. If diseases do become a problem take measures to control them before they spread. It is important to get a proper diagnosis so that the appropriate control measures can be applied.

MOWING correctly is essential. Fescue should be maintained at a height of 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 “ tall. During dry periods keep the height at 3-4”. Never remove more than 1/3 of the total height at one time especially during the hot dry summer months. The quickest way to kill your fescue lawn is to go away on vacation for 2 weeks in the summer and come back and scalp your lawn.

Water 1” per week when it hasn’t rained for 2 weeks.

© The Urban Gardener, Inc. 2005

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