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. 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. For Upper Midwest lawns, mid-August may bring ideal conditions. Roots should fill containers It works as a lawn in either sunny or partially shady areas. Because of its bunch-forming growth, tall fescue lawns rarely need dethatching. Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed Tall Fescue Mix. Tall fescue, 7 to 12 days to germinate Warm-season grasses take more time. Tall fescue grass is one such sod grass and it also has low mowing and fertilization needs. Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. Seeds germinate and grow when the right amount of water, warmth, and soil comes together. Tall fescue? Follow best practices for planting grass seed, from seed selection and soil testing to proper care during germination and beyond. It will make all the difference even this late in the season. Fall is the ideal time for seeding or overseeding tall fescue lawns. 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. What climate? Tall Fescue Lawn Care. deep and keep mowed at … As a result, spring-planted tall fescue may struggle more than fall-planted seed. Fescue grass (Festuca spp., hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 1 through 11) is a … Germination occurs at 27 °C (80°F) and transplant survival averages 80 percent (Young, 2001), (Baskin and Baskin 2002). The fescue grasses, when planted properly, germinate within 10 to 14 days. It is better for the air and soil temperatures to be warmer than cooler for the best germination rates. For best results and to make the most of your investment, select cultivars recommended on the Turffiles website. 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 … With early fall planting, seed gets a full fall growing season. Do you have irrigation? The effects of temperature and other factors on the germination of fescue seeds have been studied since the mid 1900s (Kearns and Toole, 1939). ©2017 The Rebels. The new turf-type fescues should be planted at 6 to 8 lbs. For a normal germination period of 10 to 14 days, fescue seeds need at least one-quarter inch of soil covering them. Red Fescue Planting. Any unusual contours across your yard might cause puddling and seed germination failure during irrigation. In transition zone lawns, ideal conditions may arrive in March. During this time the air and soil temperatures are optimum for tall fescue germination. Seed will begin to grow in 6 - 14 days. Fescue seeds takes approximately 14 to 21 days to germinate. Unlike spring, when soil often becomes overly wet, fall soil is more likely to maintain healthy moisture levels. With mild temperatures returning in fall, fescue has a chance to establish itself after its summer dormancy and before cold winter weather strikes. Follow these best practices for grass seeding for a more beautiful and resilient lawn. In general, mist the newly seeded area to keep it moist but not soggy. 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. Heavy rains and melting snow or ice can keep soil cold for extended periods, inhibiting germination and giving hardy weeds a head start. Tall fescue lawns will thrive on a regular a fertilizing schedule. 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. As in fall, time spring planting to coincide with soil temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer and consistent air temperatures between 68 to 77 F.2. Buffalo? As air temperatures drop in autumn, soil still retains some summer warmth. In ideal conditions, grass seed begins to germinate in less than a month. In general, fescue remains active between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit but becomes dormant with extreme temperatures above and below this range. This height allows rainfall to penetrate down into the soil for proper saturation. 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. 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. Tall fescue: 7 to 12 days; Zoysia grass: 14 to 21 days; Read More. Types of Grass. 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. It will provide initial erosion control and as the site improves in condition, will allow climax species to invade. Average germination time for grass seed. For more information on mowing lawns refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns. Weed seed germination is also very high at those temperatures. This allows time for the 7- to 21-day germination period for turf-type tall fescue plus adequate time for roots to establish before winter comes. 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. Mow frequently enough so that no more than ⅓ of the grass blade is removed. 2. Also crabgrass. As post-winter soil and air temperatures warm, spring is your second best time to plant tall fescue seed. 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 … 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. 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. One of the biggest things ground temperatures affect is seed germination. Planting tall fescue at the best time gives your lawn the best possible start, but timing isn't the only factor in seeding success. Seasonal fall and spring rains help keep germinating seed and seedling evenly moist. Fall planting offers other benefits, too. 12. Tall fescue has been used extensively in the past, prior to the understanding of its endophytic fungus interactions and their implications. These soil temperatures usually occur when the daytime air temperatures are between 60° and 75° degrees. No. This particular grass species germinates between 7 and 12 days after seeding. High soil temps cause rapid germination--about 80 degrees is about right. Grass that adapts well to clay soil is a rarity. Fescue seeds prefer a soil temperature range between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the ground carefully. 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. Tall fescue seed needs soil temperatures near 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit for thorough germination and strong root development. Tall Fescue Germination Time When planted in the fall, the tall fescue germination time is typically four to 14 days. If you are planting a new lawn, you will need about 4 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet (93 m). Mowing: Mow lawn at a height of 3 inches. Annual Ryegrass. However, you must create a nutrient-rich environment and couple it with specific temperatures for successful seedling growth. For more information on fertilizing lawns refer to HGI… However, … 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. In general, plant tall fescue at least 45 days before your region's typical first fall frost date. If you do not have a soil thermometer to verify this range, wait until the air temperature is about 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A well-established fescue grass lawn is best seeded in early autumn – it should germinate evenly throughout the seeded area. Bermuda? Cool, overly wet soil also encourages the development of fungal diseases that can impact germination, seedling growth and established lawns. The plant is available in numerous cultivars, many of which resemble fine fescue but have wider lea… Red fescue plugs are easy to propagate in a greenhouse. 5 to 10 days. However, ungerminated seed may stay viable through winter and some additional germination may come with spring. 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. It is valued for easy establishment, drought resistance and improved heat tolerance over many other tall fescue varieties. The Rebels is a trademark of Pennington Seed, Inc. 1. G. Miller, “Fall Seeding of Tall Fescue," North Carolina State TurfFiles, August 2010. These soil temperatures roughly correspond to fall and spring air temperatures in the range of 68 to 77 F.1. When To Plant Fescue Grass. 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 grass (Festuca arundinacea) is a cool-season grass that grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Average germination time for grass seed. In addition, drag a rake across the amended soil to remove any bumps or low-lying dips. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Some schedules call for a summer application. 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