How to Fertilize Fescue Grass

Tall fescue grass is the preferred variety among all of the fescue grass types used in lawns, according to Georgia and North Carolina garden supplier Pike Nurseries. Gardeners choose this cool-season grass for its ability to thrive in a wide range of soil types and grow in shady areas. Timing is everything when it comes to fertilizing your fescue grass. An application of fertilizer in the late fall is essential to keep this grass green during the winter months.

Tuna can

Garden hose

Fertilizer

Fertilizer spreader

Slow-release nitrogen

Place a 6-oz. tuna can in your lawn when you see fescue grass come out of its dormancy in the early fall. Water your grass with 1 to 2 inches of water a week, using the can as a gauge. Check the can to ensure that you are giving the lawn enough water -- 2 inches of water should fill it to the top. It is important to make sure you soil is moist before fertilizing your fescue grass in October.

Water the lawn. Pour a complete fertilizer with a NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) amount of 10-10-10 into a fertilizer spreader. Push the spreader back and forth across the lawn for complete coverage. Water the fertilizer into the lawn.

Pour nitrogen slow-release fertilizer into your fertilizer distributor in February. Spread 1 lb. of nitrogen every 1,000 square feet. Push the fertilizer spreader across the lawn and water to activate the nitrogen.

Apply water to your lawn and pour a second application of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer in your distributor in March. Distribute 1 lb. per 1,000 square feet.

Water your lawn to activate the nitrogen and keep it from burning your grass's root system.

Refrain from applying fertilizer until your grass has has time to green up, because it promotes cool season weed growth.

Avoid fertilizing your lawn in the summer, because promoting rapid growth during warm temperatures puts stress on your fescue grass.