Dormancy in Fescue … Now, with that being said, I would definitely suggest planting this grass during the spring. Her full bio and clips can be viewed at www.vegaswriter.com. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Water as necessary so that it doesn’t dry out. A healthy, green yard offers more than just a lush landscape to look at. Water becomes an important factor if you plant fescue grass in the summer. Planting fescue in summer conditions can be touch and go when nursing a successful germination. Sandy soils will require more watering in the summer. Dogs and cats can be fun and heart-warming companions for you but become an archenemy to your lawn. Early fall: Fertilize your fescue … This article has been viewed 12,336 times. Look for fescue seeds that are designed for filling in bare spots and pet piddles or thickening up thin patches around high-traffic areas. The waves of the tiny blades of fescue actually pull dust particles from the air and away from the home. However, during the summer months, you should keep an eye on your … There are two times in the year when fescue will grow best: spring and autumn. Sow the seed in the soil at a depth of … They may undergo stress, become dormant or be injured during the hot months of summer and may require significantly more water than the warm-season grasses. Planting in summer can occur, but irrigation becomes a critical factor in establishment. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Apply less nitrogen fertilizer than you do to the part of the yard that’s unprotected from the sun. With proper care for fescue in summer, you can ensure that your tall fescue lawn gets through the season smoothly. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Always leave clippings on the lawn in a practice called “grass-cycling”. How Often Should You Water New Grass Seed? Tall fescue … Soil should be moist when planting grass seeds. Fescue grows when the soil temperature is above 60° F (15° C). The hardy grass works well in open areas that don’t have the benefit of natural shade from a canopy of trees or buildings. Fescue grass seeds should be planted about 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the soil's surface. Fescue for Shaded Areas Disease resistant and drought tolerant, a fescue grass grows quickly – and thickly – under the densest canopy of shade trees in your yard. With normal summer weather patterns, spring seeding is not likely to result in a year-long stand of healthy tall fescue. If you buy a tall fescue … Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Fescue is a hardy grass that grows in cool weather and browns during the summer. Apply no more than .5 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. How to Lay Sod in the Summer. Well, it's hot outside! Turf-type fescue is a cool-season grass that comes from the Northwest region of the United States. It does well in full sun and can tolerate both shade and drought. Treat acidic soil with garden lime. Planting fescue in summer conditions is a necessary evil in a lot of areas due to the bell curve of optimal fescue seeding temperatures that can vary from season to season. Rent a tiller from a home improvement store if you don’t have one. For more information on fertilizing lawns refer to HGI… She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Weeding —Fescue lawns thrive during the winter months as their thick blades typically ward off damaging weeds. If you have a spot that mocks your efforts to bring a sheet of green to the barren space, then you may want to give fescue a chance. [1] X Research source Planting fescue in fall is the best bet for a healthy lawn. It is subject to brown (large) patch, especially in prolonged periods of warm, wet conditions. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. If you need to lay sod in the summer, be ready to water your new … As cool-season grasses, tall fescues establish best during late summer to early fall when cool weather supports vigorous growth. 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. If the long summer is showing up in bald patches in your lawn, then you may need to give it a boost to save the entire lawn. Clear the area of debris and cut any patches of grass as low as possible in spring after the last frost. The thick green blades can stand up to heavy traffic from kids, pets and play areas. Young seedlings normally emerge and grow best when air … Plant fescue seed in the spring or fall. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. High temperatures of summer can cause fescue grass to go dormant so planting during summer is not recommended. To keep the hardy fescue grass in its best shape through bitterly cold winters and hot, harsh summer weather, you will need to do a few things throughout the year to prepare it for what’s coming. Using a light roller to compact the soil around the seeds when help them sprout and grow. Fescue is a cool-season grass; that means it grows best in the spring and fall when temperatures are cooler, and it struggles during the heat of summer. 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