When Is the Best Time to Plant Fescue Grass?. In ideal conditions, grass seed begins to germinate in less than a month. Follow best practices for planting grass seed, from seed selection and soil testing to proper care during germination and beyond. Water stimulates fescue seeds to break their seed coat and produce a seedling. Seed is surface-sown into containers containing standard potting mix and seeds germinate within 15 days after planting. Fescue has its preferred temperature range for germination. Whether seeding a new lawn or overseeding existing turf with The Rebels® Brand premium grass seed products, proper timing supports high germination rates and thorough establishment. Tall fescue seed requires consistent moisture during germination, and gentle fall rains meet that need. In general, plant tall fescue at least 45 days before your region's typical first fall frost date. Types of Grass. Zoysia Grass . G. Miller, “Spring Seeding Tall Fescue," North Carolina State TurfFiles, March 2008. Tall Fescue Germination Time When planted in the fall, the tall fescue germination time is typically four to 14 days. In general, fescue remains active between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit but becomes dormant with extreme temperatures above and below this range. Kentucky 31, known in the seed industry as KY-31 or K-31, helped tall fescue grasses transition from livestock pasture grasses to lush, durable, manicured lawns. Grass that adapts well to clay soil is a rarity. deep and keep mowed at … Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant tall fescue seed. It will make all the difference even this late in the season. Red fescue plugs are easy to propagate in a greenhouse. The fescue grasses, when planted properly, germinate within 10 to 14 days. Buffalo? Fall offers several advantages not available any other time of year. Mowing: Mow lawn at a height of 3 inches. 7 to 12 days. But evaporation of water is fast at high temps. Plant 1/8 inch (3 ml.) Prepare the ground carefully. For decades, the tall fescue cultivar Kentuckey-31 was planted widely as a forage and erosion control plant, because it is widely adapted, easy to establish, and long lived 2. Because of its bunch-forming growth, tall fescue lawns rarely need dethatching. Fall rains typically arrive about the same time that favorable air and soil conditions align. Bermuda? The fescue grasses, when planted properly, germinate within 10 to 14 days. Any unusual contours across your yard might cause puddling and seed germination failure during irrigation. It is valued for easy establishment, drought resistance and improved heat tolerance over many other tall fescue varieties. Tall fescue in lawns stays green in winter unlike the warm season turf varieties. Tall fescue lawns will thrive on a regular a fertilizing schedule. Fescue seeds takes approximately 14 to 21 days to germinate. By timing tall fescue seeding to coincide with these conditions in your growing region, you work with natural advantages instead of against them — whether you seed in fall or spring. Once you establish a mowing schedule, keep the new fescue 2 1/2 inches tall during spring, fall and winter. For best results and to make the most of your investment, select cultivars recommended on the Turffiles website. ... You may have seen one of those time-lapse videos online or in a movie that shows a small seedling sprouting into a bigger plant. In general, plant tall fescue at least 45 days before your region's typical first fall frost date. Cover the seeds lightly with soil when spread and lightly compact the soil to help ensure germination occurs. Tall fescue grass (Festuca arundinacea) is a cool-season grass that grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. One of the biggest things ground temperatures affect is seed germination. Red Fescue Planting. Numerous varieties are adapted for use in Pennsylvania, but the endophyte-free and friendly-endohyte varieties are higher in quality than varieties infected with the endophyte fungus. Seed will begin to grow in 6 - 14 days. Tall Fescue fertilization should be done on a scheduled basis. What type of grass? Tall fescue: 7 to 12 days; Zoysia grass: 14 to 21 days; Read More. The Rebels is a trademark of Pennington Seed, Inc. 1. A well-established fescue grass lawn is best seeded in early autumn – it should germinate evenly throughout the seeded area. Many aggressive lawn weeds go dormant as temperatures fall, so new grass faces less weed competition. Cool weather in fall and spring presents optimal condition for seeding tall fescue. Tall fescue is an important turf grass in the United States today, but that wasn't always the case. In transition zone lawns, ideal conditions may arrive in March. High soil temps cause rapid germination--about 80 degrees is about right. Heavy water droplets from a sprinkler or hose often wash seeds away – a light watering once a day is an effective strategy to germinate fescue within two weeks. Fescue grass (Festuca spp., hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 1 through 11) is a … In transition zone states, such as North Carolina or Arkansas, September is typically the best month for planting tall fescue seed.1 If you plant late, expect lower germination rates and less hardy root establishment. It works as a lawn in either sunny or partially shady areas. Then spring brings another period of cool-season growth before summer stress arrives. Cool, overly wet soil also encourages the development of fungal diseases that can impact germination, seedling growth and established lawns. G. Miller, “Fall Seeding of Tall Fescue," North Carolina State TurfFiles, August 2010. Seeds germinate and grow when the right amount of water, warmth, and soil comes together. Optimal spring planting times vary by location. This allows time for the However, … Always leave clippings on the lawn in a practice called “grass-cycling”. … With early fall planting, seed gets a full fall growing season. Planting tall fescue at the best time gives your lawn the best possible start, but timing isn't the only factor in seeding success. Zoysia? Tall Fescue Lawn Care. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities. The new turf-type fescues should be planted at 6 to 8 lbs. By choosing The Rebels, you will get better color, finer leaf texture, and increased germination. This height allows rainfall to penetrate down into the soil for proper saturation. Endophyte-infected varieties are well suited for planting on reclaimed strip mines and for other conservation uses where soil conditions are unusually adverse for plant growth. As air temperatures drop in autumn, soil still retains some summer warmth. Rye? Do not press the fescue seeds deeply into the soil – use a lawn roller to move the seeds slightly into the soil so that the seedlings easily reach sunlight for photosynthesis. Cool nights, moderate days and warm soil are ideal ingredients for fast, thorough germination and sturdy establishment of tall fescue seed. The air temperature is 70 to 80°F and soil temperatures greater than 60°F. Insect pests become less active, so you have fewer fall problems on the pest front, too. 5 to 10 days. Ideal fall seeding time for turf-type tall fescues, such as The Rebels® Brand Tall Fescue Blend, varies depending on where you live. It is better for the air and soil temperatures to be warmer than cooler for the best germination rates. Grass clippings decompose quickly and do not contribute to thatch. Heavy rains and melting snow or ice can keep soil cold for extended periods, inhibiting germination and giving hardy weeds a head start. When To Plant Fescue Grass. You can mow … For a normal germination period of 10 to 14 days, fescue seeds need at least one-quarter inch of soil covering them. In challenging southern conditions, choosing tall fescue varieties with superior heat and drought tolerance, such as those in The Rebels® Brand Southern Classic Blend, can improve your lawn's resilience to southern summers. Average germination time for grass seed. This particular grass species germinates between 7 and 12 days after seeding. Because of differences in growth habit, palatability, and time of year best used, other grasses should not be included with tall fescue at seeding time. These soil temperatures usually occur when the daytime air temperatures are between 60° and 75° degrees. Farther north, favorable conditions may wait until April or even early May. Fertilizing: Do not fertilize tall fescue after March 15. 2. Soil should be tilled to a depth of 4 to 6 inches and broken up to a … Your tall fescue seed gets off to a strong start, before seasonal stresses of winter or summer arrive. ST Augustine? Seasonal fall and spring rains help keep germinating seed and seedling evenly moist. These soil temperatures roughly correspond to fall and spring air temperatures in the range of 68 to 77 F.1. Do you have irrigation? Fall planting offers other benefits, too. Fall is the ideal time for seeding or overseeding tall fescue lawns. One is free to walk, play and frolic on it after it has fully established at the 6-8 week mark. What climate? Tall fescue seed needs soil temperatures near 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit for thorough germination and strong root development. Seeding with high-performance seed such as The Rebels® Brand Extended Root Seed Varieties offers even greater protection against heat and potential drought. Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed Tall Fescue Mix. During this time the air and soil temperatures are optimum for tall fescue germination. seed per 1,000 … Planting turf-type tall fescue under the best possible conditions gives your seeding project a distinct advantage. Before seeding your yard, till starter fertilizer and organic matter into the topsoil. With mild temperatures returning in fall, fescue has a chance to establish itself after its summer dormancy and before cold winter weather strikes. Some schedules call for a summer application. Unlike spring, when soil often becomes overly wet, fall soil is more likely to maintain healthy moisture levels. Most of this grass seed will grow within ten days and establish fully in 6-8 weeks, i.e., full across the lawn. A typical tall fescue seeding rate is 5 to 6 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet. As post-winter soil and air temperatures warm, spring is your second best time to plant tall fescue seed. After coaxing the seeds to germinate, slowly reduce watering frequency. Annual Ryegrass. The plant is available in numerous cultivars, many of which resemble fine fescue but have wider lea… These outstanding turf-type tall fescues grow 40 percent more roots at deeper depths than ordinary grass seed, offering greater heat and drought tolerance as well as improved nutrient uptake. Also crabgrass. If tall fescue is seeded at less than ideal conditions (too cool or no soil moisture), the seed will stay viable in the spring until the temperatures warm … It will provide initial erosion control and as the site improves in condition, will allow climax species to invade. Rat-tail fescue, foxtail fescue Uses Erosion Control: Annual fescue has an excellent fibrous root system that provides soil stabilization on natural and man-made disturbed areas. By timing your seeding properly and giving your lawn The Rebels® Brand advantage, you can grow and enjoy the best tall fescue lawn possible. In contrast, seeding in late fall causes potential germination failure – when only a few seeds germinate within the ideal two-week window –- if cold temperatures arrive early, resulting in patchy lawns. So no problem. Soil temperature, outdoor temperature, oxygen soil levels and water all affect how quickly the seeds germinate. If seeds are not in proper contact with the soil, they cannot germinate and grow well. Seedland: When to Plant Fescue Grass Seed, Seedland: When to Plant Grass Seeds - The Best Time to Plant Grass, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences: The Cool-Season Turfgrasses, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns, Optimal Germination Temperature for Fine Fescue. In general, mist the newly seeded area to keep it moist but not soggy. No. For more information on fertilizing lawns refer to HGI… Mow frequently enough so that no more than ⅓ of the grass blade is removed. Roots should fill containers It germinates best when the soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Average germination time for grass seed. However, you must create a nutrient-rich environment and couple it with specific temperatures for successful seedling growth. Because there is less water at the soil surface, the fescue seedlings force their roots deep into the ground for moisture and the grass becomes rapidly established before dormancy occurs. Tall fescue, 7 to 12 days to germinate Warm-season grasses take more time. In addition, drag a rake across the amended soil to remove any bumps or low-lying dips. 1. Although you can successfully seed and germinate fescue in the spring, early summer heat might cause severe dieback among the viable seeds. Optimum air temperatures for tall fescue germination are 68 to 77°F and soil temperatures greater than 60°F. In most of tall fescue's growing range, the landscape provides timing clues. It does, however, need frequent deep watering in summer. If temperatures fluctuate too widely or you forget to water for a few days, the germination time will change. By planting high-quality, high-performance tall fescue seed, such as The Rebels® Brand tall fescue seed products, your lawn benefits from years of turf-type tall fescue innovation and research. Tupersan can be used at the time of seeding to control crabgrass while non-selective materials such as glyphosate (Roundup) can be used to control bermudagrass prior to planting tall fescue. Tall fescue has been used extensively in the past, prior to the understanding of its endophytic fungus interactions and their implications. Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. Learn what makes turf-type tall fesuce a leading choice for high-quality, high-performance turf, and how you can have a thick, uniform, and low-maintenance lawn. Spring planting gives tall fescue less time to get established before summer heat replaces favorable growing temperatures. Germination normally occurs within 7 to 21 days under suitable moisture and soil temperatures conditions. To get the most from your grass seed and your seeding efforts, time your planting to build on tall fescue's strengths and meet its needs. As with other cool-season grasses, the best time to plant tall fescue or perform other major lawn tasks is during its peak growth period in fall and spring. For Upper Midwest lawns, mid-August may bring ideal conditions. Cool season grass such as Fescue, germinate best when the soil temperatures are between 50° and 65° degrees F. These soil temperatures usually occur when the daytime air temperatures are between 60° and 75° degrees. Newly seeded turf-type tall fescue follows the same timing for optimal natural growth. However, ungerminated seed may stay viable through winter and some additional germination may come with spring. While spring offers good conditions for planting tall fescue, it holds some challenges. All trademarks are either the property of Central Garden & Pet Company, its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated and/or related companies or the property of their respective owners. Cover Crop: Annual fescue has proved to be a ... WATER is the single best thing you can do for your lawn at this time!! This nutrient-rich addition to the soil provides the seeds with as much nutrition as possible for successful germination and seedling growth. Weed seed germination is also very high at those temperatures. Tall fescue grass (Festuca arundinacea) is a cool-season grass that grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Follow these best practices for grass seeding for a more beautiful and resilient lawn. Many schedules call for three to four applications a year, an early Fall, late Fall, and mid Spring application are typically the best for tall fescue fertilization. Medium coarse bladed texture with high drought tolerance. Fescue seeds prefer a soil temperature range between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, spring-planted tall fescue may struggle more than fall-planted seed. Early-flowering yellow forsythia bushes bloom when soil temperatures reach 55 F. Confirm soil temperature with a soil thermometer, and plan tall fescue seeding accordingly. 12. As a cool-season grass, established tall fescue grows best during the cooler soil and air temperatures that happen in late summer to early fall and again in early spring. Tall fescue grass is one such sod grass and it also has low mowing and fertilization needs. Germination occurs at 27 °C (80°F) and transplant survival averages 80 percent (Young, 2001), (Baskin and Baskin 2002). Keep your grass and soil healthy and positioned for vigorous grass growth, and maintain your new tall fescue at recommended mowing heights of 3 to 4 inches. Fall is the best time to plant fescue and other cool season grass. If you do not have a soil thermometer to verify this range, wait until the air temperature is about 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information on mowing lawns refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns. If you are planting a new lawn, you will need about 4 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet (93 m). Tall Fescue. Tall fescue? Rebels is a high performance, low maintenance Turf-Type Tall Fescue with varieties that perform well in heavy traffic areas, as well as sun and shade. The effects of temperature and other factors on the germination of fescue seeds have been studied since the mid 1900s (Kearns and Toole, 1939). Blue? 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