A Guide to Fescue Grass

There are many types of grass seeds on the market, but few are as popular as fescue grass. This cool-season grass is the most popular choice for many of the nation’s largest states – including California. This variety is so popular for good reason, but just because it is a common choice doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for your yard. Read on to find out how you can decide if fescue grass is best for your lawn, and the best care practices for it.

Is fescue grass right for your lawn?

As with any grass, you need to take a look at the pre-existing factors in your lawn before deciding on a type of seed or sod to plant. Local conditions are the most important factor in selecting a grass, and thankfully fescue grass is one of the more adaptable choices. That being said, this grass thrives best in cooler areas: Such as states in the North and Midwest. This doesn’t mean you can’t have fescue grass if you live in the South or West, but you are likely to face more struggles with your lawn if so.

Types of fescue grass

Different varieties of fescue grass make it possible for homeowners with many different needs to enjoy this type of grass. The more common types of fescue grass include:

  • Hard fescue is the perfect choice for homeowners who require an extremely resilient lawn. This variety is drought resistant, shade tolerant, and the least susceptible to lawn diseases. If you want to plant fescue grass and have a low-maintenance lawn, look no further than hard fescue. It has a slightly blue hue and grows slowly, meaning you won’t have to mow as frequently.
  • Tall fescue is the most common variety of fescue grass. Though not as resilient as hard fescue, this grass does just fine in shaded areas as well as in lawns with heavy foot traffic. In fact, this resilience and its year-long green color make tall fescue the most frequently used grass in parks and athletic fields.
  • Chewings fescue is a popular choice in the Northern U.S. and, like most varieties, it grows well in the shade and has the characteristic fine texture. Chewings can be mowed lower than other varieties of fescue, but it is not nearly as good of a choice for lawns with heavy traffic.
  • Creeping red fescue is notorious for being very easy to grow. Not only does this grass require little maintenance, it also will fill-in your lawn faster than almost any other seed. For this reason, creeping red fescue is the most common choice for reseeding and over-seeding lawns. These narrow, green blades grow great in cooler weather, so creeping red fescue grass is an extremely popular choice in the Northern U.S.

Are you ready to plant your lawn?

Once you’ve selected a variety of seed or sod (be it fescue grass or another type), the time has come to plant the seeds. Are you prepared for this process? It isn’t difficult to start a new lawn with the right amount of research, but if you’ve failed to grow grass in your yard before you may need to reassess your planting process.

Familiarize yourself with tips for successfully planting grass in your yard. Before you begin, make sure you’ve planned out all of the steps that will be required to get your new lawn started. Depending on your yard and the type of grass that you select, this may include preparing your lawn, performing pH tests, buying or renting a seed spreader, and continued aftercare for as long as a month after the seeds have been laid. If this seems overwhelming to you, it may be time to consider getting in touch with a professional lawn care service.

TruGreen will gladly visit your property as often as needed between scheduled visits to make any necessary adjustments and to ensure your satisfaction.

Getting Started with TruGreen

  1. Call or fill out the form above to reach a lawn care specialist.
  2. Know the square footage of your yard, as well as any specific areas of concern.
  3. With the help of your specialist, create a customized lawn care plan that meets your lawn’s needs.
  4. Schedule your Healthy Lawn Analysis2 to start your service.