Fall is the time to take a look at your lawn and decide if some attention is needed. September is ideal but October works fine also. August is the time to make a plan. It is much better to seed, control weeds and fertilize your fescue lawns in the fall rather than the spring.
Because of the time and expense involved in re-establishing a lawn it is important to first assess your lawn situation and determine if it is necessary. Some common reasons for re-establishing include:
• Less than 50% of the area is in desired turfgrass
• You are growing a cool season lawn but bermudagrass or other perennial grass-weeds have invaded
• You currently have Kentucky-31 fescue or another less desirable grass and want to switch to a turf-type tall fescue
Kentucky is a transition zone for turf. Although we can grow both warm-season grasses (bermudagrass, Zoysia) and cool-season grasses (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass), we can’t grow either very well because of our hot, often droughty, summers and cold winters. Still, if a lawn is established correctly, it is possible to have a quality lawn that is inexpensive to maintain. Tall fescue may be established from seed or sod. Warm-season grasses may be established from sod, plugs or sprigs. Since warm-season grasses are best established in early to mid-summer, we will focus on cool-season grasses, specifically tall fescue, even though the same process will apply to bluegrass or fine (red) fescues. Your first step is to have the soil tested. This will determine the exact lime and fertilizer needs of your soil. Turfgrass does not perform well in acidic soils and many soils in Kentucky are acidic. The soil test will give a lime recommendation that will raise the soil pH to a level between 6.5 and 6.7, ideal for turfgrass. Forms and instructions for obtaining soil samples are available from the UK Extension office.
Tall fescue may be established from seed or sod. Sodding is a desirable method because it practically eliminates erosion problems that could occur on slopes while waiting for seed to germinate. Sod also impedes the growth of weeds that occur after soil preparation and is immediately attractive. However, many people prefer seeding because it is less expensive and offers more selection of turf varieties.
Tall fescue seed should be sown between the end of August and the end of October. Seed to soil contact is imperative. Local equipment rental yards often have walk behind slit seeders that will ensure the seed gets into the soil. The slit seeders are easy to use and do a great job. A good aerifier will also work well. Aerification will punch holes into existing vegetation allowing you to broadcast seed over the lawn. The seed falls into the newly punched holes providing the “seed to soil” contact. Most rental yards also have a lawn aerifier for rent.
Tall fescue should be applied for overseeding existing lawns at the rate of 3 to 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Divide your total needed seed into two parts. Sow the first part in one direction (north to south) and the second part the other direction (east to west). Straw mulch can reduce watering frequency but is only necessary on bare, sloped areas of lawns. Apply straw mulch at a rate of 1 bale per 1,000 square feet. The upper inch of your seedbed should be kept moist by frequent irrigations (two to three times daily) for the first two to three weeks. After the seeds germinate, the lawn can be watered less often. Mowing a new lawn will encourage the turf to fill in quickly; however you should avoid excessive foot traffic on a lawn until it is mature. Tall fescue should be mowed at a 3 to 4 inch height. Often, some weed issues arise in the late fall with newly seeded lawns. Wait until the new grass has been mowed 3-4 times before applying herbicides.
A quality lawn will increase the value and appeal of your property, and maintaining it can be very satisfying work. It usually takes two full growing seasons for a lawn to become fully established and exhibit drought tolerance, wear tolerance, density, and competition against weeds. Following a sound maintenance program will help your lawn mature and persist.
If you have questions about your lawn renovation, give us a call at the Henderson County Extension Office; we are happy to help!
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P. Andrew Rideout is the UK extension agent for horticulture and can be reached at pandrewrideout@uky.edu. The Henderson County Extension Office’s phone number is (270) 826-8387.
