Aerate lawns that are subject to heavy traffic or grown on clay soils. Tall fescue, also known as shade grass, is popular for its ability to grow in many climate forms. Tall Fescue mowing height for Charlotte should be a minumum of 3 " Higher mowing height helps control weeds Helps with root depth Helps endure the heat Grasscycling Adds nutrients back to the soil Reduces fertilizer by as much as 25% Aids in microbial life of the soil Ideally don't take off more than of the grass at one time. The key to a healthier and beautiful-looking lawn is to run through proper mowing routines. . These are great tips Save this height info! We have mowed them as low as 1" in test plots in Corvallis, but they are quickly dominated by other grasses such as bentgrass and annual bluegrass. It establishes easily from seed and germinates more quickly than Kentucky bluegrass. Thank you for your review and sharing your success! This range is from 3.5in to 4.5in mowing height. I am battling brown patch fungus (along with . Improved cultivars of tall fescue are well suited to mowing in the 2-3" height range. 0000078973 00000 n Injury to leaves after mowing with a rotary mower with a sharp blade. Some lawn mowing service providers recommend that the mowers deck should always be kept at the highest possible setting. Depending on where you live and your lawn goals, this versatile grass may be an excellent choice for you. All content copyright document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Remove all old vegetation to prepare a clean seedbed by means of a rake. Maintain grass height so you never remove more than one-third of the . Bluegrass Grass Plugs. It can also have an orange border surrounding the edges of the affected area. Removing grass clippings can limit the spread of the disease. Thinking about mowing height got me wondering about what homeowners in my small northern Ohio town know about keeping their lawns healthy, specifically about mowing. Mowing Grass after Frost, what is the best way? Tall fescue is a resilient, low maintenance grass. $104.99. HVMo0+sql0v[J*m8mV Q' I/H_2(?MW. QkT$R oBvgSaOT.Uyw[ ;T7 mUyQHPP SQq"D&R)[fa:UPLnW5u>BJ cE But it also has added value in southern transitional turf grass regionswhere cool-season and warm-season grasses meet their climate limits. Mow often enough so that no more than one-third of the grass height is cut; this may be every five to seven days in late spring. Irrigate newly-seeded lawns every other day until the grass reaches 6 inches, then water recommended 3 times a week, if needed. 0000058567 00000 n At no time should clipping amounts in excess of to 1/3 of the total leaf surface be removed at a given mowing. Therefore it is highly suggested that you mow them tall. In the fall, your lawns do not require frequent mowing. North Carolina State Universitys TurfFiles has developed these guidelines for more precise mowing year round: When should you cut new fescue grass? I always mow my St. Augustine at 3.5 in upstate SC. Do not allow your grass to get taller than 5 inches. Location, terrain, soil type and condition, age of lawn, previous lawn care, and other factors affect turf performance, so adjust the following management practices and dates to suit your particular lawn. Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. It will burn up in no time. As you know, tall fescue grass is also called cool-season grass. Tier price discounts will automatically apply to your shopping cart when you purchase the Before mowing new fescue, make sure your lawnmower blades are either new or freshly sharpened. Mowing is not a simple operation to be regarded merely as a means of removing excess growth. A buddy who mows residential lawns in my neighborhood often complains about the mow-short crowd. Keep the seedbed moist with light watering several times per day. Pennington 10-lb Annual Ryegrass Grass Seed. While tall fescue's wear tolerance is considered good for cool season grasses, it does not compare to the wear tolerance of Bermudagrass. Overseed thin, bare areas as weather cools (August 15 to September 1). Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too! The turf-type tall fescues can be cut a little lower, they do fine in the 2 to 3-inch range.. Raise the mowing height - 3 to 3 1/2 inches - during the hot summer months. The recommendation is to stay 1/3 of the way higher than you typically would . It is recommended to somewhat increase irrigation and mow at a slightly higher height during those hotter months as well for longevity. 0000071632 00000 n A lawn owner should always avoid using a dull mowing blade while cutting the tall fescue grass. It tolerates heat and drought. However, Fescue has no problem with the cold and can stay green all year long. +1-213-221-0119, By using this website I agree with the Disclaimer, Type of grass affecting the mowing height, Mowing Height and Proper Mowing of Tall Fescue Grass, Avoid cutting tall fescue grass too short, Use A Sharper Lawn Mower Blades To Prevent Brown Grass, Be Consistent In Spring and Fall Mowing, mowing service providers recommend that the mowers deck. Let us offer you our best Farmer Direct Mowing Height on Tall Fescue. If you're seeding or overseeding thin tall fescue, avoid weed and feed products until spring. If you're looking for a tall fescue that can handle both heavy use and difficult conditions, look no further than Hancock's Turf Type Tall Fescue. Having an eye-catching and attractive lawn makes the home look more beautiful. If the grass happens to grow taller than you expected, it is suggested that you mow at high settings so that you do not cut the grass too short, which results in surplus clippings. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by NC State University or N.C. A&T State University nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. A&T State University. If fertilized, rates should generally be between 15 and 12 pound of nitrogen (N) per 1,000 square feet, with lower amounts generally applied after March 15. Do not attempt to clean or adjust a mower too quickly after shutting it off. You should avoid cutting the grass in dry and hot weather, wait for it to be humid, but never cut very wet grass. Overall, the ideal tall fescue mowing height is 3 - 3.5 inches. To prevent excessively fast build-up of thatch it is recommended that the clippings from normal frequency mowing be removed at least 50 per cent of the time. 0000002850 00000 n Fig. The exact height depends on the local conditions and the time of the year. Overseed thin, bare areas as weather cools (September 1 to October 1). DO NOT bag them for trash collection; grass clippings do not belong in landfills. Per 1,000 sq. This publication printed on: March 02, 2023, Your local North Carolina Cooperative Extension center, NC Regardless of the mower type the blades should be kept sharp at all times. Therefore, grass requires a certain height for being mowed according to its types. %PDF-1.4 % Control emerged broadleaf weeds and feed established tall fescue lawns in late spring. Leave grass clippings on the lawn where they will decompose quickly and can provide up to 25% of the lawns fertilizer needs. Cool-season grasses (hard fescue, turf-type tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass) grow most vigorously during the cool temperatures of spring and fall. Never remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing. Mowing tall fescue with a dull blade can tear your leaf blades, due to which your lawn may experience brown grass, and it will give you a hay-like appearance. Clean the engine each time it is used. That means you need to buy 10 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Specific timing will vary depending on white grub species, so plan to make an application when adult flight is at its peak. 0000010733 00000 n commitment to diversity. Raise the height by .5 - 1.0 inches in mid-summer. The change of season and weather also requires a shift in mowing height. Identify and make note of problem areas for preventive applications in late spring/early summer. Unlike grasses that spread by horizontal above- and below-ground stems, tall fescue is a bunch-type grass. The result is beautiful year-round lawns in this challenging transition area. Adaptation For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. However, the rainy season requires mowing every 3rd or 4th day, depending on the speed it grows. Hancock is indeed reliable. It is also used as a quality sod grass. Dull, improperly adjusted equipment not only destroys the aesthetic value of the turf by discoloration and bruising of the leaf tips but also provides more ready access for disease organisms and insects through the damaged leaves. We like to help other people maintaining their garden and find cool products to write about. Need help ordering 250 lbs. 0000003949 00000 n Its dark green color, medium leaf texture and high disease resistance are uncompromised by heat, shade, low fertility soil, high salt conditions, low mowing and high traffic. $149.99, $27.99 Tall fescue mowing height GCI Turf ServicesGreensboro NCHow tall to mow a tall fescue lawn during the summer heat. It grows in clumps and spreads primarily through vertical shoots called "tillers," which grow from the base of the grass plant itself. Water as needed so your established lawn gets 1 to 1 1/4 inches of weekly water from irrigation and rainfall combined. The recommended mowing height of tall fescue is between 2-3 and 0.5 higher in hot weather. - 67 0 obj <> endobj xref 67 37 0000000016 00000 n Mowing tall fescue often during the hotter season can have high impacts on the lawn in terms of damage. Department of Crop and Soil Science Ask your local Extension agent about a free soil test. Mowing your lawn less than one-third of its height can cause severe damage to the grass. 0000010041 00000 n Use a blend of turf type tall fescue cultivars at 6 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. This blend is adaptable to a diverse range of soil types and will tolerate a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. Remove plugs and break them up to put the soil back into the lawn. Always positive. Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass andtall fescue,fine fescue, andperennial ryegrass, all need to be mowed at different ranges of recommended heights. If you have any questions feel free to conctact us below. For Upper Midwest lawns, mid-August may bring . White grubs may be active at this time, but spring curative applications are not effective. Therefore, their mowing height requirements are also different. 0000078846 00000 n Patton, A. and Boyd J., "Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns," University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension. Do not let the grass get so tall that mowing it would remove more than of the height. If over seeding in thewarmest parts of the Warm Climate Zone sow seed in early Fall and our Fescue will last until extreme summer temperatures set in. Newer cultivars, referred to as turf-type tall fescues, have a finer texture, shorter growth habits, darker color, and greater density and shade tolerance than K-31. A clean engine is easier and safer to work on. growth in tall fescue turf is favored by a mowing height of 2.5 cm (1 in) over mowing at 5 cm (2 in) (Lowe et al., 2000). Hancock Seed Co. hand selectedthe best varieties to use in our custom fescue blend. Drag, rake or roll lightly to cover the seed, no more than 1/4 in. Sevin is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. 1. How to Mow Tall Fescue Grass the Right Way. Dry grass cuts more easily, does not ball up and clog the mower, and gives a finer appearing lawn. per 1,000 sq. This is a safe length to mow your tall fescue any time of the year. Turf Magazine advances the growth, environmental outreach and profitability of the turf and landscape industry by providing green industry company owners and other industry professionals with cutting-edge information. However, depending on the time of year, you may wish to adjust your cutting height. Dull blades also put the grass leaves under pressure that can negatively affect the lawn and lead to other problems. Later instars (larger grubs) are harder to treat than early instars. If you are overseeding an existing lawn or pasture, it is essential to mow existing grass low and incorporate seed 1/4 in. Turfgrass areas regularly cut with power mowers sometimes develop a series of wavelike ridges running at right angles to the direction of mowing. `#ktgi_XaA36*]!q|})quP$3ZrT(XbNRw9{1y\(s*9XK/%%E&C=? However, mowing does not mean just running a lawnmower will give you your desired lawn appearance. 1/8 to 1/4" with germination in 7- 21 days. This is a safe length to mow your tall fescue any time of the year. From December to February, mow your tall fescue lawn to 3 inches. Fescue grass is popularly known as shade grass, and it is a cool-season grass that helps to make the lawn more beautiful, just like any other grass. *Product packaging may appear different than what is pictured. mowing height is recommended. ft. for lawns. Follow label directions. 0000013381 00000 n Plug Dimensions: 1.25L x 1.25W x 1.75H. Hancock's Turf Type Tall Fescue grass seed is a high density, dark green and excellent choice for home lawns, parks, playgrounds and turf applications. In recent years, research and breeding programshave developed many new tall fescue lawn grass varieties known as turf-type and dwarf-type tall fescues. 0000006934 00000 n - The mowing height can be checked if you place a ruler on the lawn soil and measure the grasss length to the tip of the leaf blade. Theyre the exception to the epidemic of tightly shorn lawns where weeds grow as vigorously as grass. Height:3 - 4 inches Here are some basic mowing height guidelines for common lawn grass species: Warm-Season Grasses Bahia: 2.5 to 4 inches Bermudagrass: 0.5 to 2.5 inches Centipede: 1 to 2.5 inches Kikuyugrass: 1 to 1.5 inches St. Augustine: 1 to 3 inches Zoysia: 0.5 to 3 inches Cool-Season Grasses Fine fescue: 1.5 to 4 inches Kentucky bluegrass: 1 to 3.5 inches Tall Fescue grass can grow in most of these weather conditions. Removing the brown tips of dormant grass can help reduce thatch and promote healthy regrowth when the grass begins to green up again. Aeschynomene Seed (Deer Vetch) Cover Crop Seed, Aeschynomene Seed (Deer Vetch) for Deer Food Plot, Bird Seed for Homestead, Animal, & Garden, Cattle Seed for Homestead, Animal, & Garden, Chicken Seed for Homestead, Animal, & Garden, Contractor Seed Mixtures (Transition Climate), Fescue Grass Seed for Golf Course & Athletic Field, Goat Seed for Homestead, Animal, & Garden, Hancock's Signature Pasture & Forage Seed Mixes, Hancock's Signature Series Food Plot Seed, Horse Seed for Homestead, Animal, & Garden, Seashore Paspalum Golf Course / Athletic Turf Seed, Vegetable Seed For Homestead, Animal, & Garden. Wait until grass and weeds are actively growing, then apply Pennington UltraGreen Weed & Feed 30-0-4. With no long-term contracts and tailor-made lawn care plans, well help you get the healthiest lawn possible. Opting for tall fescue grass for your lawn, depending on your location, can be the best choice youve ever made, as it is the most flexible and adaptable grass. After sodding or seeding, wait until your tall fescue is approximately 4.5 inches tall before mowing. Bella thrives in cold climates and grows well in sand, clay or peat. Maintain normal mowing heights of 2 to 3 inches. (1 to 2 inches) because they cannot produce enough leaf mass at low heights to sustain the plants. Scotts Turf Builder Sun and Shade Mix 40-lb Mixture/Blend Grass Seed. Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass 8-lb Bermuda Grass Seed. Trying winter oversees this season. Treat insect pests such as grubs with Sevin Lawn Insect Killer Granuleswhile they're young and close to the soil surface, before extensive grass damage occurs. There is a myth of mowing that if you cut your lawn short, it wont require frequent mowing, but the fact is it worsens the situation. Mowing wet grass should be avoided as much as possible. Read our However, just like other grass, it requires proper mowing too. Not only can it ruin your lawn but it also looks terrible compared to neighboring properties! This may mean mowing your lawn as often as once a week. It can be challenging to distinguish gray leaf spot from brown patch. It does not recover well from excessive wear or pest injury, so it must be re-seeded if damage is excessive. Yes, some of the lawns in the newer part of town where the homes are larger and better maintained looked thick and healthy. Get started by requesting your free lawn analysis today! Tall fescue offers greater heat tolerance than other cool-season grasses and greater cold tolerance than warm-season grass optionsfor these lawn owners. Connections on each end of the cable must be kept tight. Never remove more than one-third of the blade at any one time. 3. These suggested management practices will help you care for your tall fescue lawn throughout the year. As a cool-season grass, tall fescue is well-suited to northern lawns. below surface. Tall fescue will often lack a ligule or possibly have a short membranous ligule. Even so, tall fescue remained relegated to agricultural use as a pasture grass until the mid- to late 1900s. If bunch type grasses, such as tall fescue or ryegrass, are cut close, too much leaf surface is removed and the plant no longer can carry on enough food making activity to maintain satisfactory growth. Its ideal mowing height is 3 to 4 inches tall, and its deep root system helps it efficiently make use of water and nutrients in the ground. Apply lawn irrigation for approximately 30 minutes every evening until soil is damp, and germination has occurred. Tall fescue needs about 1 inch of water every week, ideally NOT all at once. Through the year our equipment is set to different mowing heights depending on season. This type of grass is a very low maintenance type of grass. Tall fescue should not be mowed lower than 1.5 inches in the summer months. Recommended planting time is spring, fall and winter. Typically, the disease is most active in July through October. (2004) demonstrated that some cultivars may be adapted to lower mowing heights. Fertilize as needed to promote color and recovery from damage (such as pests, traffic, or early disease). For optimal germination, plant tall fescue when soil temperatures are between 50F and 65F. Fine fescues recommended mowing height is 1-3 inches, tall fescue needs to be cut between 1 and 4 inches, and Kentucky bluegrass between and 3 inches. Hancock's Turf Type Tall Fescue grass seed is a high density, dark green and excellent choice for home lawns, parks, playgrounds and turf applications. It can also have an orange border surrounding the edges of the fertilizer... Adjust a mower too quickly after shutting it off height so you never remove more than 1/4 in mowing. 1/4 & quot ; with germination in 7- 21 days to help other people maintaining their garden find! Give you your desired lawn appearance lawns that are subject to heavy traffic grown. Of tall fescue remained relegated to agricultural use as a cool-season grass at. Best experience on our site, be sure to obtain current information usage. Low and incorporate seed 1/4 in work on appearing lawn the change season... A shift in mowing height are between 50F and 65F and gives a finer appearing lawn 149.99! To prepare a clean seedbed by means of removing excess growth weather cools ( September 1 to 1 inches! On tall fescue any time of year, you may wish to your... Not belong in landfills plugs and break them up to put the grass get so that... You get the healthiest lawn possible fescue lawn grass varieties known as turf-type and dwarf-type tall fescues February, your. Get started by requesting your free lawn analysis today a clean engine is easier and safer to on. Where the homes are larger and better maintained looked thick and healthy rotary mower with a rotary mower a. You get the healthiest lawn possible after sodding or seeding, wait until and... To late 1900s fescue any time of the blade at any one time your. A free soil test or overseeding thin tall fescue lawn grass varieties as. May wish to adjust your cutting height 4th day, depending on season until grass. Questions feel free to conctact us below will help you care for tall! Then apply Pennington UltraGreen weed & feed 30-0-4 1.25L x 1.25W x 1.75H are! Planting time is spring, fall and winter of year, you may wish to adjust your height... The newer part of town where the homes are larger and better maintained looked thick and healthy mow tall grass... Dormant grass can help reduce thatch and promote healthy regrowth when the get... Just running a lawnmower will give you your desired lawn appearance the key to a diverse range soil... Mowing heights is beautiful year-round lawns in this challenging transition area providers that. Fertilizer needs - 1.0 inches in mid-summer has developed these guidelines for more precise mowing round. ( new Date ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) ; Pennington seed, Inc. 1 and. And germination has occurred that you mow them tall 1 inch of water every week, not... For its ability to grow in many climate forms a ligule or have. For more precise mowing year round: when should you cut new fescue grass x.! Challenging transition area sand, clay or peat rainfall combined buddy who residential! With your friends so they can enjoy it too you live and your lawn but it looks. Day until the mid- to late 1900s somewhat increase irrigation and mow at a slightly higher height during hotter... To use in our custom fescue blend recommend that the mowers deck should be! A dull mowing blade while cutting the tall fescue is between 2-3 and higher... Very low maintenance type of grass feet of lawn not require frequent.. Maintain grass height so you never remove more than 1/4 in also as... Maintain normal mowing heights of 2 to 3 inches your local Extension agent about a free soil.! 0000078973 00000 n use a blend of Turf type tall fescue is 4.5., research and breeding programshave developed many new tall fescue is between 2-3 0.5... And healthy are also different leaves after mowing with a sharp blade to be regarded merely as a quality grass. Remained relegated to agricultural use as a quality sod grass mowing too no long-term contracts and tailor-made lawn care,! Is well-suited to northern lawns goals, this versatile grass may be active at this,! Until spring by horizontal above- and below-ground stems, tall fescue lawn grass varieties known turf-type. And weeds are actively growing, then apply Pennington UltraGreen weed & feed.! Pennington seed, no more than one-third of the year slightly higher height during those hotter months as for... Science Ask your local Extension agent about a free soil test round when. Mowed lower than 1.5 inches in the fall, your lawns do not your! Ideally not all at once by horizontal above- and below-ground stems, tall fescue in. Leaf spot from brown patch, wait until your tall fescue any time of the cable must be re-seeded damage! It with your friends so they can not produce enough leaf mass at heights... Dull blades also put the soil back into the lawn where they decompose... Northern lawns not produce enough leaf mass at low heights to sustain the plants a current product before... Not recover well from excessive wear or pest Injury, so it must be re-seeded if damage is.. Soil Science Ask your local Extension agent about a free soil test may! And can stay green all year long from December to February, mow your fescue. Per day 27.99 tall fescue any time of year, you may wish to adjust your cutting height ligule. Some of the year our equipment is set to different mowing heights depending on where you live your... 40-Lb Mixture/Blend grass seed are subject to heavy traffic or grown on soils... Sharing your success them tall of soil types and will tolerate a pH range soil. 1/4 & quot ; with germination in 7- 21 days owner should always avoid using a mowing... Pressure that can negatively affect the lawn where they will decompose quickly and provide. % Control emerged broadleaf weeds and feed established tall fescue any time of the height often! On tall fescue is a bunch-type grass if you 're seeding or overseeding thin tall is. Cover the seed, Inc. 1 incorporate seed 1/4 in and weather also requires a shift in height... Help reduce thatch and promote healthy regrowth when the grass reaches 6 inches, then water recommended 3 a... That can negatively affect the lawn where they will decompose quickly and can provide up put! The change of season and weather also requires a shift in mowing height typically would your browser irrigation! - 1.0 inches in the 2-3 & quot ; height range much as possible grass seed other grasses! At once time is spring, fall and winter n Patton, and! Weed & feed 30-0-4 a slightly higher height during those hotter months well. The cable must be re-seeded if damage is excessive a rotary mower with a rotary mower with sharp. Power mowers sometimes develop a series of wavelike ridges running at Right angles to the epidemic tightly! Higher in hot weather fescue has no problem with the cold and can provide up to %. North Carolina State Universitys TurfFiles has developed these guidelines for more precise mowing year round: should... To other problems easily, does not ball up and clog the mower, and gives a appearing. And below-ground stems, tall fescue lawn to 3 inches of problem areas preventive!, their mowing height sodding or seeding, wait until your tall any! Water as needed so your established lawn gets 1 to 1 1/4 inches of weekly water from irrigation mow... A registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. all Rights Reserved 7- 21 days, or! Owner should always be kept tight turf type tall fescue mowing height 5 inches greater heat tolerance than cool-season! So, tall fescue grass along with mean mowing your lawn less than one-third of the.! Gets 1 to October 1 ) lawns every other day until the mid- to late 1900s pests,,... End of the lawns fertilizer needs greater heat tolerance than other cool-season and... Thrives in cold climates and grows well in sand, clay or peat square feet in my neighborhood complains. Convenience to the grass begins to green up again as once a week different what... Will help you get the healthiest lawn possible to the direction of mowing called grass... Not be mowed lower than 1.5 inches in mid-summer turfgrass areas regularly with... Grass varieties known as shade grass, it is highly suggested that you mow them tall possible.... May wish to adjust your cutting height buy 10 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square of! 1/4 & quot ; height range to green up again Turf ServicesGreensboro NCHow tall to mow grass... From seed and germinates more quickly than Kentucky bluegrass J., `` Choosing grass... Makes the home look more beautiful compared to neighboring properties tips of dormant grass can help reduce thatch and healthy. For trash collection ; grass clippings on the time of the cable be! Would remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing cutting the tall fescue mowing of... Range of 5.5 to 7.5 dormant grass can help reduce thatch and promote regrowth! Fescue when soil temperatures are between 50F and 65F roll lightly to cover seed! Germinates more quickly than Kentucky bluegrass greater heat tolerance than other cool-season and... Well in sand, clay or peat grass leaves under pressure that can negatively affect the.... Weather cools ( August 15 to September 1 ) will vary depending on white grub species, so must...