The Best Fescue Grass Seed

Most fescue is cool-season grass, though one type, tall fescue, does well in transitional zones where the weather is warmer. Widely used across the United States, it came widely into use as a grazing grass for domestic animals. It's easily grown from seed, with two subspecies: fine and tall fescue. The best seed for your purpose is the one that best fits your climate and application.

Tall fescue is often used where tough, hardy grass is needed. It's common to see it grown in athletic fields. The grass is dense and coarse-bladed. Varieties such as Summer Lawn and Greystone are widely used in residential lawns.

Fine fescue is known for its growing pattern of sending out underground rhizomes. It receives its name from its finer blade. Fine sheep fescue is still grown in pastures for animal forage. Fine hard fescue is used where grass is not able to be mowed often, such as highway medians, golf course roughs, and slope sides.

Fescue can be mixed with other types of grass to solve specific problems. Red fescue is often mixed with other types of grass seed to create a blend that grows well in a shady yard. Chewings fescue is a main seed in a mix that does well in sandier soil.

Fescue is best planted in the early fall, though spring is also acceptable. It should not be planted if the nighttime temperatures are expected to go higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer heat makes fescue go dormant, so newly planted grass may not revive in time for the first frosts.