Do you need a durable lawn? Whether you are starting from scratch or stepping up your lawn game, fescue grass is an all-season pasture grass that can meet your needs and help you maintain the most attractive lawn on the block.
The grass type is resistant to drought, can tolerate extreme climates, and is quite economical to maintain. This article reviews some of the top fescue grass seeds for homeowners who need a durable lawn.
If you’re looking for the best fescue grass seed, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore what to look for when selecting your fescue grass seed, as well as provide a few recommendations on some of the best varieties available.
When Should I Plant Fescue Grass Seeds?
Planting of the best tall fescue grass seed can be done during either spring or fall. However, planting seeds during early fall guarantees effective germination.
The varieties of fescue grass require continuous moisture during germination, and only the gentle rain of the fall can provide that. To plant fescue seeds during spring, you will need a well adaptable seed variety.
Consider choosing the right time for planting and protecting the seeds from birds and other possible harm.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Fescue Grass Seed
1. Soil Type: Selecting a seed should center on how adaptable it is to different soil types. Where some varieties may adapt well to acidic and low fertility soil, others may require well irrigated and organic filled soil for good growth.
2. Durability: When getting a variety of grass seeds, you need to ask if the type you are going for can survive traffic. The tall fescue grasses are one of the top plant varieties for areas with high traffic.
3. Uses: Its sole purpose determines the type of seeds to choose. The tall variety will be good for planting in sporting areas. In eroded soil areas, you should plant creeping red fescue variety.
4. Quality of seeds: always buy from respectable brands or companies to make sure the seeds are good quality and consider how long grass seeds last to make sure they don’t go bad before planting
Fescue Grasses Characteristics and Types
1. Tall Grass: This is a bunchy type and also the most resilient species of fescue grass. It is shade tolerant and germinates well in soil filled with organic matter. On a closer look, this species has an extensive root system reaching 2-3 meters deep. They are planted in lawns with high traffic, such as sporting pitches.
2. Hard Grass: This species grows in a clump-like formation that doesn’t require frequent mowing. It is regarded as the toughest of fescue grass species as it can adapt well in shaded areas and grow on low fertility soils.
3. Creeping Red Grass: According to its name, this type grows and spread by creeping stems. The stems grow sideways underground and in cool shaded areas. It also has a characteristic deep green color and is perfect for erosion sites and steep slopes.
4. Chewings Fescue Grass: This grass adapts well to sandy and acidic soil types with low fertility. Like most fescue plants, it is drought resistant and prefers to be mowed lower. It resembles the tall type with its bunchy pattern of growth.
5. Sheep Fescue Grass: it is a cool perennial grass that is restricted to ornamental landscaping uses. Also, it is a bunch-like grass with blue-green color, and it is densely tufted.
Is Tall Fescue a Good Grass Seed?
Yes, the tall variety produces grass with good adaptability features. The smart seed germinates to grass with a deep root system making it highly tolerant of drought. This deep-rooted grass, in turn, can survive in soil with low fertility and can tolerate shade.
When to Plant Tall Fescue Grass Seed?
They grow in a climate with an optimum temperature of 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The soil where you will grow the seeds should be well irrigated as it may not grow well in fewer water conditions.
Also, the soil should contain more amounts of organic matter and nutrients. We recommend planting the tall grass smart seed at a time around late spring and early fall to aid sustainable growth.
Fescue Grass Maintenance Practices
1. Mowing: A lawn filled with tall fescue grasses should be mowed to the extent that no more than 1/3 of the grasses are removed. This practice should be done every seven days and less frequently during the drought period.
2. Watering: Tall fescue lawns need enough water to prevent heat and drought. If the seeds strive on sandy soil (more porous), more irrigation practices are needed. However, water irrigation is best done from June to August.
3. Fertilizer: the grass should be properly fertilized at the initial period of planting just before germination. Fertilization should not be done too frequently during the spring but around fall to prevent the burning of nutrients.
4. Summer care: Proper irrigation is of the topmost priority during the heat period of summer. Maintenance practices such as overseeding can be carried out to compensate for grass loss.
5. Winter care: The winter period are the best time for tall fescue grasses can utilize nutrients effectively. The shorter days and cold nights usually slow down plant growth. That’s why they require effective fertilizer applications to prevent dying and keep up reserves for summertime.
Review of the Top Fescue Grass Seed
1. Scotts Snap Pac Tall Fescue Mix
This is available in a lightweight bag of 7 pounds containing a generous mix of tall fescue seeds. The seeds feature a water coating technology that helps absorb double water capacity.
The technology provides enough moisture for a quick jump-start growth. Also, the technology offers the capacity to resist drought and disease contamination effectively. It is effectively used with a mechanical Scotts Snap Pac spreader for effective application.
Reasons to Buy
This product supports an intuitive mechanized system for spreading seeds over a large expanse of lawn.
Available Bag sizes
Seven pounds bag covers 1540 sq feet.
2. Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed
This product features durable, low maintenance seeds available in bag sizes of 5, 10, and 25 pounds. The tall fescue seed variety produces an extremely drought resisting lawn once planted.
We found that the grasses produced from these seeds hold well under traffic. It is rewarded with a peaked technology that guarantees protection from the disease-causing fungus.
Reasons to Buy
Pennington Kentucky can withstand disease-causing microbes due to the presence of Penkoted technology.
Available Bag sizes
- 5 pounds
- 10 pounds
- 25 pounds – covers an area of 6250 sq. feet
3. Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue
This is a high-quality product that produces cool-season grasses with an attractive appearance and requires low maintenance costs. The seeds come with the capacity to survive extreme disease and weed growth. Also, they can strive well in direct sunlight and shaded areas.
Reasons to Buy
It comes in a more big size capacity and at a low price. Also, it can strive well in areas of low fertility and excess sunlight.
Available Bag sizes
50 pounds- covers 1 acre of land
4. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Tall Fescue Mix
This product comes with a mix of southern grass seeds that can strive in harsh conditions of sun, shade, and extreme traffic. It appears in a coarse bladed texture.
Once planted, these seeds can germinate within 6 – 14 days to produce extensive deep-rooted grass for a durable lawn. It comes with a 4-in-1 water-smart plus technology that jumpstarts growth.
Reasons to Buy
These seeds feature a 4-in-1 water smart plus technology that can absorb 2X water. Also, it is best suited to buy in post-transition zones.
Available Bag sizes
- 3 pounds
- 7 pounds
- 20 pounds
- 40 pounds
5. Eretz Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed
The product contains Oregon state certified seeds, and the sizes it features are 1, 3, 5, 10, 25 and 50 pounds. The seeds are hardy and quite durable. Also, the seeds grow into grasses that are suitable for pasture and wildlife management.
The Eretz Kentucky product constitutes 98% pure seeds and 2% inert matter. Like other fescue seeds, it is drought-resistant and also capable of developing grasses that are resistant to foot abuse.
Reasons to Buy
The United States well certifies Eretz Kentucky. Therefore you are sure of buying a viable product if you select this product.
Available Bag sizes
- 1 pound
- 3 pounds
- 5 pounds
- 10 pounds
- 25 pounds
- 50 pounds
The seeds can spread over an area of 1000 square feet for every 3-6 pounds.
Conclusion and Buyer’s Advice
Fescue grasses give you the comfort of a durable grass lawn with lower maintenance costs. The tall variety is the best due to its resistance to drought, disease, and the ability to survive traffic.
You may want to consider other types of lawn grasses like bermuda grass, or the more exotic pink muhly or deer grass.
With this review, we do hope you select the best variety of fescue grass seeds for your lawn today.
