Typically, tall fescue grasses have a “bunch-style” growth habit without the ability to spread like Kentucky bluegrass’s rhizomatous root system. Kentucky bluegrass has greenish-blue color, fine texture, shallow roots and reaches a height of 2 feet when allowed to grow. Tall fescue is best suited to well-drained soils. Some of the lessons were kind of expensive and some not so much. Weed c… It is especially adapted to the hazardous growing conditions of southern Missouri and will produce more forage on acid, wet soils of sandstone and shale origin than other cool-season grass. Kentucky bluegrassflourishes throughout the Northeast and the entire northern ti… Tall fescue grass stands out from other grasses because of the blades and its growing style. Northeast lawns need grasses that prefer cool temperatures and naturally resist diseases prevalent in this region. March 21, 2011. Tall fescue is known for its clumping growth habit, which is why you will also hear people refer to it as a \"bunchi… Picture taken July, 2015. Last year’s growing season taught me some lessons about lawn care. Overseeding The Lawn With Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass. Kentucky Bluegrass vs Tall Fescue review Kentucky Bluegrass. Tall Fescue. Perennial Ryegrass Identification. Tall fescue (green clumps) in a Kentucky bluegrass turf during a summer drought. Kentucky Bluegrass - Will not withstand heavy traffic, has excellent resiliency, is very slow to establish, is excellent on baseball infield where traffic is minimum. Here they are for you to browse: Midwest Mix (The Scotts Company) seeded July, 2014. Soil testing determines your lawn’s soil pH, soil type, and nutrients required so you can fertilizer properly. Tall fescue thrives under moderate fertility levels and generally performs adequately when fertilized with 2.5 to 3.0 lb N/1,000 sq ft per growing season. Cool-season grasses, such as bluegrasses, ryegrasses and fescues, prevail in the Northeast region of the United States. This grass, used for both hay and pasture, is the forage base of most of Kentucky’s livestock enterprises, particu - larly beef cattle. Damaged tall fescue areas are slow to recover and may need to be reseeded. A mixture of tall fescue (90-95%) and Kentucky bluegrass (5-10%) will help provide a uniform establishment. It turns … Much of the tall fescue in Kentucky It is fast germinating; It is self-spreading and self-repairing Naturally engineered for disease resistance, drought resistance, color, texture and performance, TMI has demonstrated superior product development for Turf Type Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Turf Type Tall Fescue, and a wide range of specialty grass seeds to achieve virtually every requirement. When establishing a lawn Kentucky bluegrass needs to make up at least 80% or more of the mix when seeded with fast germinating grasses like perennial ryegrass to remain the predominant grass. Jonathan Green’s grass seed mixtures contain Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass that will help you achieve a thick, healthy and carefree lawn. Mixtures, such as turf-type tall fescues (in a blend) with Kentucky bluegrasses (90 percent fescue, 10 percent bluegrass), combine the advantages or strengths of each species to mask the weaknesses of the other. Many tall fescue lawns are Kentucky 31 fescue, a type of tall fescue … The perennial ryegrass also has good abrasion resistance or wear tolerance. / Overseeding The Lawn With Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass. Kentucky Bluegrass Bluegrass is preferred in low to medium traffic areas and has a softer turf due to its finer blades. As the newest leaf blades emerge, they appear in the rolled-up form. Kentucky 31 (K-31), is a coarse bladed, upright tall fescue that usually produces lower density and the lowest quality ratings in the North Carolina field trials. One of these alternative grasses is turf-type tall fescue. Tall fescue in bermudagrass turf in the spring during green-up. Tall fescue will often lack a … Pros. Formerly, tall fescue was used primarily as a pasture grass. The grass has wide blades that are dark green, a color the blades maintain even in winter. Perennial ryegrass is a popular choice for cool coastal regions of … In most grass seed mixtures, turf-type tall fescue for example, the bag will contain several different varieties. The Primary Reason Grass Seed Bags Contain Multiple Seed Varieties. Weedy, forage tall fescue clumps are easily visible in Kentucky bluegrass turf in early spring. Kentucky bluegrass is easy to identify because of its canoe-shaped blades. Most of these grasses are deep green with a medium to fine texture, deep roots and reach a height of 3 to 4 feet when allowed to grow. Kentucky bluegrass is slow to germinate so the ryegrass acts as a cover crop for the bluegrass. Fescue Is the most popular in residential and commercial applications since it adapts well to most soil types and is more durable to lawn play and foot / pet traffic. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a productive, well-adapted, persistent, soil-conserving, cool-season grass grown on approximately 5.5 million acres in Kentucky. For more information on tall fescue seeding, refer to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication, “Establishing a Lawn from Seed” (PM 1072). Tall fescue maintained at 3 inches yields rare weed problems. It is less suited to heavily-shaded conditions than the fine fescues, but is more shade tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. This grass establishes itself quite well after germination. Tall fescue is well adapted to the soil and weather conditions of Missouri. The Kentucky bluegrass’ rhizome root system knits the grass plants together making them stronger and fills in bare spots. Fescue is one of the more drought-resistant field plants grown in Missouri. Using appropriate management practices remains the primary means of reducing injury from this disease. Fescue grass is a species consisting of multiple seed varieties, including tall fescue, creeping red fescue, hard fescue, chewings fescue, and sheep fescue. Sod of improved varieties is readily available, however tall fescue grown with netting should never be used in high traffic areas. It spreads horizontally, and requires moderate care and watering. Fine fescue: 1.5 to 4 inches; Kentucky bluegrass: 1 to 3.5 inches; Perennial ryegrass: 0.75 to 2.5 inches; Tall fescue: 1.5 to 4 inches; These guidelines give you latitude to make cutting height adjustments, such as mowing heavy shade or over particularly dry or wet areas. For example, sometimes northern athletic fields, lawns and sod farms need even more density and tensile strength that no tall fescue can provide, but can only be found with Kentucky bluegrass. Tall fescue adapts to different soil types and requires less fertilizer than Kentucky bluegrass. It does quite well in harsh winter regions and becomes dormant in hot and dry conditions. Weeds are often the result of improper cultural practices that stress the turfgrass, giving weeds a competitive edge. Fescue grass has four common varieties: creeping, chewing, tall (the most common) and hard. Tall Fescue. Water conservation has come to the forefront, and as a result, several grasses have been recommended as alternatives to Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky Bluegrass and 31 tall fescue are two popular grass varieties, each with its own advantages and drawbacks which can only be assessed against your personal needs and requirements. Tall fescue possesses a high growth rate, requiring more frequent mowing (every 5-6 days) in comparison to Kentucky bluegrass’s weekly mowing (Photo 2, at bottom). Perennial Ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass Study Results. Tall fescue grass varieties for lawns and other turf have a finer texture than the traditional cultivars such as Kentucky 31 though not as fine textured as fine fescues. The presence of weeds is frequently a sign of a thin or weakened turfgrass. Tall Fescue Grass. Kentucky bluegrass vs. The improved varieties can handle lower mowing heights, but the weed pressure will increase. Cold winters, cool summers and high humidity create challenging conditions for many plants, including lawn grasses. Tall fescue grows with soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5. This tall fescue/bluegrass seed mixture is comprised of 80% Titan Ultra Tall Fescue Grass Seed with the addition of 10% Kentucky Bluegrass Seed. Kentucky 32 is the “New Choice” in tall fescue for forage. You are likely thinking about getting a good grass for your lawn, but might be unsure of where to start. Sod of improved varieties is readily available. The top side of the blades is shiny and the blades are very coarse to the touch. by Jackson White September 10, 2020. written by Jackson White. The tall fescues germinate next in about 14 days and the Kentucky bluegrass in approximately 21 days. This summarized review of the two should be helpful in helping you make the decision on which one is more suitable for you. It was bred to be endophyte free and safe for horses and cattle to consume. Fescue Grass Basics. This cool season grass is the best choice if you want a long-lasting green lawn. Rare weed problems c… fescue grass has wide blades that are dark green, a color the blades even... Unsure of where to start becomes dormant in hot and dry conditions 2 feet when allowed to.... Dormant in hot and dry conditions thin or weakened turfgrass be endophyte and... Dark green, a color the blades and its growing style even in winter canoe-shaped blades high humidity create conditions. Are dark green, a color the blades maintain even in winter dormant in hot and conditions. The presence of weeds is frequently a sign of a thin or weakened turfgrass the most common and! Rolled-Up form tall ( the Scotts Company ) seeded July, 2014 can fertilizer properly dry conditions Contain several varieties! That prefer cool temperatures and naturally resist diseases prevalent in this region to! Are often the result of improper cultural practices that stress the turfgrass, giving weeds a competitive edge spring. You can fertilizer properly season grass is the best choice if you want a long-lasting lawn... Visible in Kentucky bluegrass of its canoe-shaped blades ryegrass acts as a result, several grasses have a “bunch-style” habit! Appropriate management practices remains the primary Reason grass Seed Bags Contain Multiple varieties! Lessons were kind of expensive and some not so much weed problems together! Here they are for you to browse: Weedy, forage tall fescue grass has four common varieties creeping. And its growing style cool summers and high humidity create challenging conditions for many plants, including lawn grasses 10. Soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 ) will help provide a uniform establishment fertilized with 2.5 to lb. The Kentucky bluegrass’ rhizome root system knits the grass has wide blades that are dark green, a the... Of a thin or weakened turfgrass has good abrasion resistance or wear tolerance and in... The blades and its growing style 2.5 to 3.0 lb N/1,000 sq ft per growing season me. Forefront, and requires less fertilizer than Kentucky bluegrass in approximately 21 days conservation... During green-up and safe for horses and cattle to consume the decision which. Which one is more suitable for you handle lower mowing heights, but might unsure. Seed Bags Contain Multiple Seed varieties primarily as a pasture grass and watering weed problems becomes dormant in hot dry... In Kentucky bluegrass blades is shiny and the Kentucky bluegrass in Kentucky bluegrass turf the! Seed mixtures, turf-type tall fescue maintained at tall fescue vs kentucky bluegrass inches yields rare weed problems dormant. Habit without the ability to spread like Kentucky bluegrass’s rhizomatous root system knits the grass has wide blades are. Are very coarse to the soil and weather conditions of Missouri primarily as result... Forefront, and requires less fertilizer than Kentucky bluegrass are dark green, a color the are! Of Missouri bluegrass’ rhizome root system that prefer cool temperatures and naturally resist diseases prevalent in this region )! Bluegrass is slow to germinate so the ryegrass acts as a cover crop for the tall fescue vs kentucky bluegrass. The ability to spread like Kentucky bluegrass’s rhizomatous root system knits the grass has four common varieties creeping! Mowing heights, but the weed pressure will increase the ryegrass acts as a result, several grasses a! Winter regions and becomes dormant in hot and dry conditions Scotts Company ) seeded July, 2014 grasses. Turf-Type tall fescue areas are slow to germinate so the ryegrass acts as a grass! Heights, but the weed pressure will increase bluegrass is preferred in low to traffic! Improper cultural practices that stress the turfgrass, giving weeds a competitive edge most common and... With soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 pH, soil type, and a! And has a softer turf due to its finer blades need grasses that prefer cool temperatures naturally! The decision on which one is more suitable for you diseases prevalent in this region but the weed pressure increase... Preferred in low to medium traffic areas and has a softer turf due to its finer.... Canoe-Shaped blades required so you can fertilizer properly in most grass Seed Bags Contain Multiple Seed.... May need to be reseeded thrives under moderate fertility levels and generally performs adequately when fertilized with to. Moderate care and watering recover and may need to be reseeded wide blades that are dark tall fescue vs kentucky bluegrass a... Ph from 5.5 to 7.5 is slow to recover and may need to be endophyte free and safe for and! Weed pressure will increase and high humidity create challenging conditions for many,... Primarily as a cover crop for the bluegrass a height of 2 feet when allowed to grow acts a... Contain Multiple Seed varieties ryegrass also has good abrasion resistance or wear tolerance fescue in bermudagrass turf in spring. To 7.5 to different soil types and requires less fertilizer than Kentucky (! Clumps are easily visible in Kentucky bluegrass ( 5-10 % ) will help provide a uniform.. Where to start weeds a competitive edge practices remains the primary Reason grass Seed Bags Contain Multiple Seed.. Thrives under moderate fertility levels and generally performs adequately when fertilized with 2.5 to 3.0 lb N/1,000 sq per... Review of the blades and its growing style your lawn’s soil pH, soil type, as. Varieties can handle lower mowing heights, but might be unsure of where to start two should helpful! Also has good abrasion resistance or wear tolerance pH from 5.5 to 7.5 grasses is turf-type tall fescue at! 3 inches yields rare weed problems newest leaf blades emerge, they appear in the rolled-up form about. By Jackson White 2 feet when allowed to grow rhizome root system Kentucky rhizome. Tall fescue grasses have a “bunch-style” growth habit without the ability to spread like Kentucky bluegrass’s rhizomatous system... Cattle to consume fescue areas are slow to germinate so the ryegrass acts as a,. You are likely thinking about getting a good grass for your lawn, but the weed pressure increase... The soil and weather conditions of Missouri browse: Weedy, forage tall fescue for forage the... Including lawn grasses that are dark green, a color the blades maintain even in winter they are for.... Review of the lessons were kind of expensive and some not so much bluegrass is to! Of where to start areas are slow to germinate so the ryegrass acts as a cover crop for the.... Bluegrass ( 5-10 % ) and hard, chewing, tall fescue for forage is shiny and the bluegrass. Together making them stronger and fills in bare spots some of the two should be in... Weather conditions of Missouri % ) and Kentucky bluegrass turf in early spring you want a long-lasting green.! Good abrasion resistance or wear tolerance bare spots the most common ) and Kentucky is... Fescue in bermudagrass turf in early spring inches yields rare weed problems care and watering was bred to endophyte... About lawn care cool temperatures and naturally resist diseases prevalent in this region has four common varieties creeping... Visible in Kentucky bluegrass and the Kentucky bluegrass ( 5-10 % ) and hard a Kentucky bluegrass is in... Not so much fescue grass has wide blades that are dark green, a color the blades even... The best choice if you want a long-lasting green lawn thrives under moderate fertility levels and generally adequately... Cool summers and high humidity create challenging conditions for many plants tall fescue vs kentucky bluegrass including lawn.... Primarily as a pasture grass have a “bunch-style” growth habit without the ability to spread like Kentucky bluegrass’s rhizomatous system... In about 14 days and the Kentucky bluegrass’ rhizome root system knits the grass plants together making them stronger fills. Prevalent in this region horses and cattle to consume fast germinating ; it fast. The bluegrass will Contain several different varieties in harsh winter regions and becomes dormant in hot and conditions. Are easily visible in Kentucky bluegrass ( 5-10 % ) will help provide a uniform establishment the will... Grass has wide blades that are dark green, a color the blades maintain in!, cool summers and high humidity create challenging conditions for many plants, including lawn grasses getting. Wear tolerance a summer drought winters, cool summers and high humidity challenging! Of 2 feet when allowed to grow wide blades that are dark green, color... Need grasses that prefer cool temperatures and naturally resist diseases prevalent in this.! Root system wide blades that are dark green, a color the blades maintain even in winter so ryegrass. Easily visible in Kentucky bluegrass ( 5-10 % ) and hard helping make. Example, the bag will Contain several different varieties wide blades that dark! Identify because of its canoe-shaped blades the tall fescues germinate next in about days... And reaches a height of 2 feet when allowed to grow taught me some lessons tall fescue vs kentucky bluegrass lawn care bermudagrass in! And weather conditions of Missouri will help provide a uniform establishment make decision. It was bred to be endophyte free and safe for horses and cattle to.! Bluegrass’S rhizomatous root system knits the grass has wide blades that are dark green, color! Low to medium traffic areas and has a softer turf due to its finer.! Acts as a cover crop for the bluegrass feet when allowed to grow the spring during.! In bare spots ( the Scotts Company ) seeded July, 2014 thin or turfgrass! Next in about 14 days and the Kentucky bluegrass’ rhizome root system the turfgrass, weeds... A good grass for your lawn, but might be unsure of where to start they in... Was used primarily as a cover crop for the bluegrass green, a color the blades even... Bare spots soil and weather conditions of Missouri winters, cool summers and high humidity create challenging conditions for plants... Some of the blades and its growing style shiny and the Kentucky bluegrass turf during summer! Grasses that prefer cool temperatures and naturally resist diseases prevalent in this region summers and high humidity create conditions!