Tall Fescue Lawn Maintenance Calendar

Spring (March – May)

Mowing - Mow to 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches. Mow often enough so that no more than one-third of the grass height is cut; this may be every 5 to 7 days in late spring. Leave grass clippings on the lawn where they decompose quickly and can provide up to 25 percent of the lawns fertilizer needs. If prolonged rain or other factors prevent mowing and clippings are too plentiful to leave on the lawn, collect them and use them as mulch. DO NOT bag them for trash collection; grass clippings do not belong in landfills.

Fertilization - DO NOT fertilize tall fescue lawns after March 15.

Insect Control - Check for and control white grubs in April and May. Just their presence alone does not warrant treatment. There should be some visual damage to justify chemical treatment.

Weed Control - Apply preemergent herbicides to control crabgrass, goosegrass, and foxtails from late February to mid-March.

Aeration - Delay aeration until fall.

Irrigation - This turfgrass blend needs 1 to 1 1/4 inches of water every week, ideally all at once. A dark bluish-gray color and wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate that it is time to water. Water until the soil is wet to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Use a screwdriver or similar implement to check. Sandy soils require more frequent watering (about 1/2 inch of water every third day). Because clay soils accept water slowly, irrigate just until runoff occurs, wait until the water has been absorbed, and begin watering again. Continue until the desired depth or amount is applied. Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce problems later in the summer. Watering between 2 and 8 a.m. decreases the incidence of certain diseases.

Thatch - It is generally not necessary to remove thatch in tall fescue.

Summer (June – August)

Mowing - Mow to 3 1/2 inches and mow before the grass gets taller than 5 inches.

Fertilization - DO NOT fertilize at this time.

Insect Control - Check for and control white grubs in July and August. Just their presence alone does not warrant treatment. There should be some visual damage to justify chemical treatment.

Disease Control - Tall fescue is highly susceptible to Brown (Large) Patch Disease, which appears as irregularly shaped patches of dead or dying turf. Brown Patch likes high humidity and temperatures above 85 F. It becomes extremely severe during prolonged, overcast wet weather with evening air temperatures above 68 F and daytime temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer when the disease is active, keep the mowing height above 3 inches, and water between 2 and 8 a.m. Apply fungicide during severe Brown Patch outbreaks.

Weed Control - DO NOT use herbicides at this time.

Aeration - DO NOT aerate at this time.

Watering - Either water as needed to prevent drought stress or allow the lawn to go dormant. Dormant lawns must be watered once every 3 weeks during a drought.

Renovation - Western Region Only! Overseed thin, bare areas as weather cools (August 15 to September 1). Use Black Beauty tall fescue blend at 6 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. Apply a starter-type (high phosphorous) fertilizer. Keep the seedbed moist with light watering several times per day. Do not let the seedlings dry out.

Fall (September – November)

Mowing - Mow to 2 1/2 to 3 inches in height.

Fertilization - Have your soil tested. Ask your county Cooperative Extension Service about a free soil test. Then apply the nutrient your lawn needs. If you don't test, apply a complete nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio (that is, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8). Fertilize with 1 pound of actual nitrogen (N) per 1,000 square feet in mid-September and again in November (about the time the grass is green but not actively growing). Consult the Fertilizer Calculator for exact amounts needed for your lawn.

Aerification - Core lawns subject to heavy traffic or on clay soils to minimize compaction and improve rooting. Break up plugs.

Renovation - Overseed thin, bare areas as weather cools (September 1 to September 15). Use Black Beauty tall fescue blend at 6 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. Apply a starter-type (high phosphorous) fertilizer. Keep the seedbed moist with light watering several times per day. Do not let the seedlings dry out. It is a common practice to combine fall aeration with renovation.

Insect Control - Check for white grubs in September and October; fall is the ideal time to control white grubs.

Weed Control - Apply herbicides to control broadleaf weeds as necessary. Caution: Some herbicides may affect newly seeded turf. Follow label directions.

Watering - This turfgrass blend needs 1 to 1 1/4 inches of water every week, ideally all at once. A dark bluish-gray color and wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate that it is time to water. Water until the soil is wet to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Use a screwdriver or similar implement to check. Sandy soils require more frequent watering (about inch of water every third day). Because clay soils accept water slowly, irrigate just until runoff occurs, wait until the water has been absorbed, and begin watering again. Continue until the desired depth or amount is applied. Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce problems later in the summer. Watering between 2 and 8 a.m. decreases the incidence of certain diseases.

Winter (December – February)

Mowing - Mow to 3 inches and remove leaves and other debris.

Fertilization - Fertilize with 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in February. Consult the Fertilizer Calculator for exact amounts needed for your lawn

Aeration - Delay aeration until fall.

Weed Control - Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary for control of chickweed, henbit, or other weeds.

Irrigation - This turfgrass blend needs 1 to 1 1/4 inches of water every week, ideally all at once. A dark bluish-gray color and wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate that it is time to water. Water until the soil is wet to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Use a screwdriver or similar implement to check. Sandy soils require more frequent watering (about 1/2 inch of water every third day). Because clay soils accept water slowly, irrigate just until runoff occurs, wait until the water has been absorbed, and begin watering again. Continue until the desired depth or amount is applied. This may require running two programs with your irrigation controller. Proper irrigation is crucial to lawn health, too much can be just as detrimental as too little. If your lawn seems too dry or too wet – it probably is!

Watering between 2 and 8 a.m. decreases the incidence of certain diseases.