What is the Tall fescue?
Tall fescue is a hardy cool-season perennial grass valued for its deep roots and resilience. It yields high-quality forage for pasture and hay across many U.S. regions (Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Pacific NW) and stays green into fall. Extremely drought-tolerant and easy to establish, tall fescue provides a reliable, persistent grazing grass that withstands poor soils and summer heat.
Specifications
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Soil Preference
Adapted to most soils (loam to clay)
Soil pH
5.5 – 7.0
Time to Maturity
~2–3 months
Height when mature
3–4 ft
Seeding Rate
12–15 lb/acre
Planting Depth
½ inch
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea | SKU: PG-FEAR2
- Cattle
- Poultry
- Sheep
- Goats
- Bison
- Alpaca/Llama
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Description
Drought Performance
Tall fescue’s extensive root system and deep crowns let it endure summer heat and drought far better than many cool-season grasses. During dry periods it maintains green leaf tissue and regains vigor quickly after rain, making it a reliable choice for low-water environments.
Maintenance Needs
This species requires minimal input once established. It tolerates a range of soil conditions (even low fertility)and is fairly disease-resistant. It persists without frequent reseeding and grows with little care – in lawns or pastures it “persists with minimum care”. Its resilience to neglect, mowing, and routine abuse reduces management costs.
Erosion Control
Tall fescue’s deep, fibrous roots form a robust sod that binds soil on slopes and open areas. Historically it was “widely planted…as a forage and erosion control plant” due to its adaptability and hardiness. It rapidly establishes and holds soil even under harsh conditions, making it ideal for conservation and stabilization plantings.
Grazing Resilience
Once established, tall fescue withstands heavy grazing pressure. It has an unusually long grazing season – producing high yields in spring and even stockpiling forage into winter. It regrows vigorously after defoliation if not overgrazed, and animals can graze it through fall. Use endophyte-free or novel-endophyte cultivars for best livestock performance.
Wildlife/Pollinator Habitat
Dense fescue stands can offer protective cover and some seed for upland birds and small mammals. However, tall fescue provides few nectar or pollen resources and is often considered less wildlife-friendly than native grasses. For improved habitat value, fescue pastures are best interplanted with forbs or left in mosaic with wildflower patches.
Description
Detail Product
Sun/Shade
Full sun to partial.
Height
3–4 ft (90–120 cm) tall
Seeding Rate
12–15 lb/acre alone; 6–10 lb/acre in mixtures.
Uses
Forage (pasture, hay), erosion control, soil stabilization, and general conservation planting.
Color
Dark green foliage; tan inflorescences when mature
Water
Dark green foliage; tan inflorescences when mature
Native
Introduced
Life Form
Cool-season perennial bunchgrass.
Product Uses
Nutritious Forage
Tall fescue is a cornerstone pasture grass. It offers high yields of palatable forage for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and horsesalseed.com. Farmers value its long green season and ability to produce hay or graze in spring, fall and even through mild winters. When managed with rotation, it provides consistent, nutrient-rich feed over many years.
Deep Roots
The strong sod and deep roots of tall fescue are excellent for stabilizing soil on banks, ditches, and reclaimed land. It establishes quickly to prevent erosion and withstands heavy rainfall. Many conservation programs use it for critical areas because it “tolerate[s] poor soils and abuse or neglect” while providing cover.
Great for Cover Grass
As a turf or cover grass, tall fescue requires little care once up. It tolerates shade better than Kentucky bluegrass and needs less fertilizer to stay green. Its disease resistance and durability make it a practical choice for lawns, horse pastures, and low-input landscape areas where foot traffic is expected.
Bring the wildlife and the Pollinators
Tall fescue fields create dense cover that upland birds (like quail and pheasants) and some mammals can use for shelter. Gamebirds may feed on its seeds. However, pure fescue stands are not rich in flowers or insects for pollinators, so wildlife value improves when fescue is mixed with flowering plants or native grasses
Questions & Answers
What is tall fescue, and why should I plant it?
Tall fescue is a cool-season perennial grass widely used for forage and turf. It is hardy and deep-rooted, so it’s easy to establish and survives poor conditions. Growers plant tall fescue for its reliable, high-yield forage production and long persistence – it tolerates heat, drought and shade better than many cool-season grasses.
How does tall fescue perform as forage for livestock?
It performs very well. Tall fescue yields abundant high-quality feed in spring and fall. Livestock prefer it when fertilized properly. Cows, sheep, goats and horses graze it actively, and it can be cut for hay. Stockpiled fescue (grazed after frost) provides valuable winter feed. Note: choose endophyte-free or novel-endophyte varieties to avoid animal toxicity issues.
What are the best planting instructions for tall fescue?
Plant in early spring or late summer/early fall for good establishment. Prepare a firm, smooth seedbed. Sow seeds shallowly (¼–½ inch deep)alseed.com. Recommended seeding is about 12–15 lb/acre in a pure stand or 6–10 lb/acre when mixed with legumes or other grasses. Keep soil moist during germination; seedlings emerge rapidly (within 1–2 weeks) and establish vigorous sod.
How drought-tolerant is tall fescue?
Tall fescue is noted for excellent drought resistance. Its deep root system allows it to access subsoil moisture, letting it survive dry spells that might stress other cool-season grasses. It also handles summer heat better than many cool-season varieties. Still, for best growth, provide moderate irrigation during prolonged droughts.
What grazing management tips apply to tall fescue pastures?
Allow fescue to reach 8–10 inches of growth before first grazing. Then rotate animals and avoid grazing lower than ~3 inches to prevent stand thinning. Because fescue regrows more slowly in hot midsummer, ensure adequate rest in that period. Tall fescue is persistent under grazing, but overgrazing weakens it. Managing fertility (nitrogen) according to soil tests helps maintain vigor.
Can tall fescue be used in lawns or as an ornamental grass?
Yes, in part. Many turf cultivars of tall fescue exist and are popular in low-maintenance lawns. They tolerate shade and traffic well. However, tall fescue forms clumps and has coarser texture than fine fescue or bluegrass. In ornamental plantings, it’s mostly valued for texture or as a backdrop, not for showy blooms. Its foliage color and seedheads are modestly decorative.
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Tall fescue is a hardy cool-season perennial grass valued for its deep roots and resilience. It yields high-quality forage for pasture and hay across many U.S. regions (Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Pacific NW) and stays green into fall. Extremely drought-tolerant and easy to establish, tall fescue provides a reliable, persistent grazing grass that withstands poor soils and summer heat.
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