Rhizomatous Tall Fescue

General Information

Selecting new breeds of grasses is designed to conserve natural resources, and is one of the easiest ways to make a positive, long term impact in the landscape. Tall Fescue has been converted by breeders into a low maintenance, drought tolerant turf for mid-continental areas. Tall Fescue conserves on irrigation requirements because of its deep root system. Additionally, breeders have dramatically altered the stature of tall fescue by converting it from a lanky, tall growing forage into a fine textured, low growing turf. By making the species more esthetically acceptable to consumer expectations and combining it with natural adaptive advantages, tall fescue water and nutrient conserving advantages can be extended to even more landscape situations. Additional advantages in disease resistance have further extended the environmental range of this species. Improving cultivars and management strategies have made tall fescue easier to harvest and care for; making it an excellent choice for your personal or commercial lawn.

Maintenance

WATERING:

• WEEK 1: It is critical to water new turf the first 7 days. New sod requires 3/4” to 1-1/4” of water per day for the first 7 days. Total amount should be split up over 4 or 5 watering periods each day.
• The warmer the temperature the more water you need to apply!
• WEEK 2: After the first 7 days, water at the rate of 1/4” to 1/2” per day for 9 days, split up over 1 to 3 watering periods per day.
• WEEK 3: If watering restrictions allow, water 1/4” per day every other day for 7 days. After the first two or three weeks, revert to watering 1-2 times per week as local watering restrictions allow. Sandy soil requires more frequent watering than clay soil. Special attention should be paid to slopes and mounds where runoff occurs. More frequent, shorter watering may be necessary in such locations.

FERTILIZATION:

Apply Turfmaster high phosphorous fertilizer at time of installation to promote root production. Follow up with Turfmaster blended fertilizers 2 to 3 times per year. Light green is an indication that your lawn needs fertilizer.

MOWING:

Mow 10 days to 2 weeks after installation. Mow to a height of 2 to 3-1/2 inches.

DISEASES & INSECTS:

Tall Fescue is highly resistant to common disease and insect problems. The endophytes in the crown produce toxins that kill or repel insects that feed on turf. The appearance of brown spots may be a result of a watering problem. If brown spots remain after adjusting your watering routine, a disease may be present.

Technical Information

COMMON NAME: Turf Type Tall Fescue, Dwarf hybrids

SPECIES: Dwarf Tall Fescue

GROWTH RATE: Summer: 1 to 1-1/2” per week

ROOT DEPTH: 3 to 6 feet, depending upon soil type and watering patterns and soil preparation.

ADAPTABILITY: Rhizomes are roots that help wear recovery by spreading.

SOILS RANGE: Very good tolerance to saline soil conditions. Amendments are recommended for heavy clay soils to promote drainage.

SHADE TOLERANCE: Prefers full sun, but adapts to 60% shade.

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: Rocky Mountain Region.

STANDARDS AND MEASURES: State inspected and certified for noxious weeds, diseases and insects.

SIZES:

• 10 sq. ft. per roll. Each roll is 2 ft. by 5 ft.
• Soil thickness 1/2" to 1-1/2" top growth
• 500 sq. ft. per pallet

BIG ROLLS:

• 200 to 350 sq. ft.

WEIGHT:

• 2,000 to 2,800 lbs. per pallet
• Grown from 100% Weed Free Seed - 98% Purity