Culture

• Tall fescue is a perennial grass that grows in a variety of climates and prefers moist environments. Clay soils heavy on organic matter are ideal for fescue but this grass can also grow in many other types of soils, including those in southern portions of the United States where other grasses have trouble growing in the hot and humid conditions.
  
  

Growth

• Fescue grass produces deep, strong root systems that make this grass suitable for both moist and drought conditions. Each tiller, or stem, produced by the grass produces flowers at the tip and reach a height of 3 to 4 feet. At the base of each stem are leaves that are dark green in color and which feature serrated edges. The underside of the leaves is glossy. Fescue grass yields spring and summer flowers.
  
  

Seeding

• Tall fescue grass should be seeded in late summer or early fall while climate conditions are moist. If seeding fescue in spring, do so before April to help prevent damage caused by summer droughts. Fifteen to 20 pounds of seed should be used in pure stands, and nitrogen should be applied. After seeding, the soil should be watered regularly for 14 to 21 days or until germination.
  
  

Care

• In the hottest summer months, fescue grass should be mowed at a 3-inch height to prevent the grass from becoming damaged by drought conditions. In spring and summer, fescue grass can be mowed at 2 inches. In winter, fescue grass can be maintained at a height of 1-1/2 inches.
  
  

Uses

• Fescue grass tolerates being cut to a height of 1-1/2 inches but no shorter. Because of this height requirement, fescue grass is most commonly used for lawns, parks and golf courses. These grasses are widely used throughout the "transitional zone," which includes Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina.