Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

September 9, 2004

     Cool season fescue lawns need to be seeded during September and October.  With gradual cooling promotes root growth and development during the fall and winter months. The optimum soil temperature for root growth for fescue lawns is 60 degrees, yet fescue roots actively grow when the soil temperature is 34 degrees! Planting now gives the turf optimum growth before the arrival of cold weather. It is important to seed in early fall because seed germination slows in cold weather, producing weak stands.      

     Grass seed selection is somewhat of a dilemma for many homeowners.  Over 50 cultivars of turf type fescues are available providing ample selections for the homeowner.  However due to storage restraints and availability, most retail outlets and garden centers narrow the decision to supply 4 or 5 cultivars. 

     Most seed companies now selling fescue blends or fescue/bluegrass mixtures. Many local garden centers will custom blend turf seed to homeowner's needs.      

     It’s best to apply a blend of turf type fescue.  Turf type fescues and blends such as Plantation, Captain’s Choice, Palmers Pride, Falcon III and the Rebel Blends are recommended over single plantings. Seed blends of 3 or more different types prevent the spread of the summer fungal disease, brown patch.  Single cultivar plantings easily provide the opportunity for the fungus to spread freely, whereas a mixture limits its spread.

     Shady areas should be seeded with blends that contain shade tolerant fescue and/or bluegrass such as “Shady Nook”.  Bluegrass does well in shady locations, spreading by stolons.  Turf type fescue blends and bluegrass coexist to form a dense well-matted cool season lawn.

     Avoid blends that contain ryegrass.  Annual and perennial ryegrasses are extremely competitive weakening fescue stands. Retail outlets sell these as "quick start" lawn seeds.  Check the contents carefully before purchase.

     Apply fescue seed on new lawns at 5-7 pounds per 1000 square feet or 220 pounds per acre.  Apply half the seed to a given area; apply the remainder at a right angle to the previous application. 

     Use half the normal seeding rate (3-4 lbs. /1000 square feet) when over-seeding thin or bare areas in existing turf.  Core-aerating before over-seeding is beneficial, allowing the seed to make contact with the soil improving germination.

     Apply clean, wheat straw as a mulch to cover bare ground areas. Wheat straw mulch holds moisture, allowing seed to germinate quickly. Apply one to two bales of straw per 1000 square feet.  Be careful not to apply too much straw.  The bare ground should be visible after mulching with straw. Thick areas of straw produce thin, weak stands of turf.

     Keep the soil moist for adequate germination.  Deep irrigation prevents sparse root development.  Irrigation may be needed two or three times per week for establishment during dry weather. Gradually reduce irrigation as the turf becomes established.

     Fescue normally germinates in 14 days, however, cooler temperatures tends to slow seed germination.  Fescue germinates slowing in late October.  Seeding within the next few weeks is essential for maximum turf growth.