Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a cool-season grass prized for its exceptional drought tolerance and how well it thrives in a wide range of climates. Deep roots make it a durable, resilient grass that tolerates foot traffic well once it is established. Various types of tall fescue grass have improved heat tolerance and disease resistance, offering outstanding, low-maintenance solutions for northern and southern transition zones.
Is this versatile grass for you?
Benefits of Tall Fescue Grass
Tall fescue offers multiple benefits for homeowners, including:
- Drought Tolerance: Thick, deep roots reach water deep in the soil, making tall fescue more drought tolerant than many turfgrasses.
- Shade Tolerance: While it needs some direct sun, this grass tolerates shade more than most cool-season grasses except fine fescue.
- Temperature Resilience: Tall fescue thrives up to about 90°F before it shows stress, and some varieties can survive freezing temperatures to about 10°F .
- Disease Resistance: Many modern cultivars are bred to resist common lawn diseases like brown patches and Fusarium blight.
- Wear Tolerance: The tough grass blades and dense growth make tall fescue an excellent choice where foot traffic is frequent.
- Pet-Friendly: Tall fescue is nicely resistant to dog urine, making it a perfect choice for a pet-friendly lawn.
- Low Maintenance: A tall fescue lawn requires less fertilizing and mowing than many other turfgrasses.
- Suppresses Weeds: Its naturally dense growth helps tall fescue suppress and out-compete various weeds.
- Year-Round Green: Unlike some turfgrasses, tall fescue remains green in winter, enhancing curb appeal year-round.
- Less-Expensive: Tall fescue grass seed is less expensive than many turfgrasses, and the lawn requires less water, fertilizer, and herbicide than others throughout the year.
Tall Fescue vs. Other Grass Types
Tall fescue offers many benefits, but so do others. Let’s see how it stacks up to other popular turfgrasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Bermuda Grass.
|
Characteristic |
Tall Fescue |
Kentucky Bluegrass |
Perennial Ryegrass |
Bermuda Grass |
|
Drought Tolerance |
Very Good |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Excellent |
|
Shade Tolerance |
Moderate to Good |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Poor |
|
Maintenance |
Low |
High |
Moderate |
High |
|
Wear Tolerance |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
|
Cold Tolerance |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
|
Growth Habit |
Clumping |
Rhizomatous |
Bunch-forming |
Rhizomatous/Stoloniferous |
|
Pet-Friendliness |
Good |
Moderate |
Good |
Excellent |
|
Disease Resistance |
High |
Moderate to High |
Moderate |
Moderate to High |
How to Care for a Tall Fescue Lawn
A tall fescue lawn requires relatively low maintenance to remain lush and healthy year-round.
- Watering: Tall fescue needs one to one a half inches of water per week from rain or irrigation.
- Mowing: Mow tall fescue to three and a half inches tall, following the one-third rule of mowing.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and early fall.
- Aerating: Aerate the lawn once yearly in the fall.
- Overseeding: Overseed in the fall with high-quality tall fescue grass seed.
- Weed Control: Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring and selective herbicides as needed.
- Pest Control: Apply targeted pest control as needed to manage infestations.
- Disease Management: Monitor for signs of disease and apply fungicides at first detection to prevent spreading.
Choosing the Right Tall Fescue Grass Seed
Choosing the right tall fescue grass seed requires careful consideration of a variety of characteristics, including your climate, your specific needs (i.e., pet-friendliness or foot traffic tolerance), and its resistance to lawn diseases and pests in your region. You must also evaluate the quality of the tall fescue grass seeds for freshness and whether they blend several tall fescue types or are a single variety.
For expert advice on choosing the best tall fescue grass seed for your specific conditions, contact your local grass experts at Lawn Pride®.
Trust Lawn Pride for Tall Fescue Lawn Care
At Lawn Pride®️, we share expertise with homeowners across the country to help you achieve the lawns of their dreams. When you want to turn over your tall fescue grass care to professionals who do it best, we’re your best choice. Our comprehensive lawn care services do the heavy lifting while you enjoy the results. We’re confident you’ll be pleased because the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ backs everything we do.
Request a free estimate today! Then, relax and collect the compliments.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not apply to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.