Hardiness
Cool-Season Grass
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Light
Grows well in full sun or shade |
Soil
Not fussy, but must be well-drained |
Water
Regular water, but has very good drought tolerant qualities |
Habit
Tall, upright bunches, with broad, flat leaf blade to fine-textured blade varieties available, dense, thick, durable lawn
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Maintenance
Low |
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Comments:
Tall fescue is a tall, dense, clumping grass that is able to grow well in sun or shade, and is a good low-maintenance choice for home lawns, playing fields, and commercial grounds.
It does best in areas with mild winters and warm summers. Where winters are mild, it will stay green all year long.
During the past several years new turf-type tall fescue varieites have become available with qualities such as: finer blade size, good rich color and appearance, wearablility, and low fertilizer requirements.
Tall fescue tolerates high and infrequent mowing, and has good weed and disease resistance.
Tall fescue has become a popular homeowner grass, as new varieties are increasingly compatible with other grasses. It is a tough grass with a fairly deep root system that gives it the ability to tolerate periods of heat and drought, in fact it's the most heat and drought tolerant of all cold-season grasses. This makes it a good choice for areas with lots of activity and little irrigation.
While it will survive without water, you can achieve maximum turf quality only with adequate water and fertilizer. Be warned that it is very susceptible to snow mold in areas where snowfall is abundant, and it can be slow to recover in the spring.
Newer varieites (finer leaf texture) of tall fescue can be mixed with Kentucky bluegrass in cooler areas.
Unique qualities:
Good heat and drought tolerance
Does not develop thatch
Slow to establish, 10-14 days to sprout
Low disease problems
Optimum Mowing Height: 2.5 to 4 inches (6.4 to 10 cm), tolerates high and infrequent mowing.
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