Tall fescue is a traditional low-maintenance grass that features a coarser texture. Tall fescue grows in soils with low nutrient levels and is tolerant to both insects and disease. Tall fescue doesn’t grow well with other grasses, but you may want to use at least three different cultivars of fescue to improve genetic diversity and disease resistance. Once fully established, tall fescue has outstanding wear tolerance and resists drought because of its deep rooting system.
Tall fescue seedlings are not tolerant to cold and can die if planted too late in the season. Tall fescue grows rapidly, especially during the summer. Mow frequently, as cutting more than one-third of the grass’s length can cause unsightly scalping.
Tall Fescue Planting and Growing Properties
| BEST TIME TO PLANT | Fall |
| PLANTING DEPTH | 1/4 of inch
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| GERMINATION TIME | 7 - 12 days
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| SEEDING RATE | 6 - 8 lbs per 1,000 square feet and 4 lbs for over-seeding
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| COLOR | Bright Green |
| TEXTURE | Coarse
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| SHADE TOLERANCE | Bad |
| DROUGHT TOLERANCE | Good |
| TRAFFIC TOLERANCE | Excellent |
| DISEASE TOLERANCE | Good |
| MOWING HEIGHT | 3 - 4 inches
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| FERTILITY PROGRAM | 1.0 - 1.5 lbs Nitrogen per 1,000 sq feet in September, November, and May
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Ok, now that you have chosen your grass seed, take a look at the Planting Grass Seed page for detailed instructions on how to prepare your seed bed and plant your grass seed!