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What Is Turf-Type Tall Fescue?
Turf-type tall fescue is also known for its remarkable ability to resist disease. If you’re looking for a lawn that will accommodate heavy traffic (such as dogs) or needs to wait a while between watering, this blend is for you.
The wider leaf blade gives this grass a medium texture, while the roots can reach depths of up to five feet. This makes Triple-Play grass seed perfect for places that see a lot of foot traffic, such as sports fields, campuses, schools, parks, and homes.
Our Triple-Play blend is a mix of three types of low-growing, dark green turf-type tall fescue grass seeds. The result of this combination is a lawn highly resistant to traffic, more drought tolerant than bluegrass or ryegrass, and able to withstand high summer temperatures.
The Difference Between Fescue and Tall Fescue Lawns
If you’re wondering about the difference between fescue and tall fescue, what you’re really asking about is fine fescue versus tall fescue.
“Fescue” is a general term for the cool-season grasses within the Poaceae family of grasses. Within that family are dozens of species, but fine fescues and tall fescues are among the most popular types for properties and beautification.
So while fine fescue and tall fescue grass seed belong to the same family and can be found in similar geographical regions, there are a couple of key differences between them: their appearance and preferred soil type.
Difference #1: Appearance
A tall fescue lawn — especially turf-type tall fescue — is an instant headturner: With a deep and vibrant green coloring on thick, coarse blades, and a glossy underleaf, tall fescue is a great option for lawns and backyards.
When left unmowed, tall fescue can grow up to two inches per week in spring and fall and reach as high as three to four feet.
On the other hand, fine fescue is much thinner in appearance, although it still maintains that dark green color. In some cases, when fine fescue is especially healthy, it will achieve a brilliant emerald green coloring that is significantly darker than tall fescue.
Its blades are narrow and pointed, but, unlike its counterpart, fine fescue only reaches a maximum height of eight to 12 inches.
Difference #2: Preferred Soil Type
Tall fescue seed prefers rich and clay-like soil that can drain well with an ideal pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass and can primarily be seeded in the northern part of the United States.
It grows well north of Texas. Seeding in the south may result in dehydration and browning blades — once you reach that point, your lawn isn’t likely to survive.
Fine fescue grass seed prefers the opposite of tall fescues: Fine fescue can do fairly well in poor soil that is also sandy. It prefers a more acidic, well-drained soil — because fescues require plenty of water. The ideal pH is 6 to 6.5.
Compared to tall fescue seed, fine fescue should only be seeded north of North Carolina with some more flexibility out West, right above Texas.
When and How to Seed Triple-Play Turf-Type Tall Fescue
Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb, or new to the seeding process, knowing how to take care of your tall fescue lawn is essential to ensuring healthy germination.
Here’s what you need to know about when to seed your Triple-Play turf-type tall fescue blend:
- Ideal soil temperatures — Seed germination occurs best when ground temperatures are between 60 and 65°F. Since it takes between 14 and 21 days for tall fescue grass seed to germinate, ensure that these soil temperatures are consistent first.
- Ideal time to plant tall fescue — Seed in either fall or spring when the soil cools down or warms up to the ideal soil temperature range. Since tall fescue requires plenty of water, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the fall and spring rains.
Here’s what you need to know about how to seed your Triple-Play turf-type tall fescue blend:
- Level and smooth the soil — When starting from scratch, be sure that you’re seeding bare ground so that your tall fescue blend isn’t competing with other turfgrass or weeds. Simply remove any weeds and gently rake the soil so that it’s ready for seeding.
- Use fertilizer — Although optional, fertilizer can dramatically help the new seeds germinate properly. This is an especially important step if you are introducing a new blend or have had unsuccessful attempts before.
- Distribute seed with a spreader — To ensure the best possible coverage, use a spreader to plant tall fescue seeds. After you’ve covered the ground, lightly rake over the seeds to ensure good soil-to-seed contact.
- Water the seeds — After seeding, immediately water your lawn. Continue to do so over the next few weeks to keep the soil continuously moist. If you’re planting in spring, you’ll need to water the grass more frequently throughout the day.
Find the Best Tall Fescue Blend Today
As with any turfgrass, determining whether a blend will thrive on your property depends on several factors:
- Your preferences, such as color, durability, and desired features
- Your geographical location, since fescue is a cool-season grass
- Your soil type, since tall fescue does well in rich soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.5
For those looking to grow lush tall fescue lawns, the Triple-Play turf-type fescue grass seed is an excellent choice for high-traffic yards with plenty of drainage. It also does well in full-sun to partial-shade, which means that if your property gets between three and six hours of sunlight, the tall fescue grass seed will do fairly well.
If you’re unsure where to start, the experts at Nature’s Seed can direct you to the right fescue blend. Check out the Seed Selector™ Tool today to find the best tall fescue varieties for your property.
