Temperature at Which Fescue Dies

Temperature

• Fescue and other cool season grass types grow when temperatures are between 40 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Colorado State University. This growth occurs in the early spring and fall months. When temperatures are above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, your fescue lawn may die out. Characteristics of grass dying out or going dormant include discoloration, wilting, browning and stunted growth. Other reasons may be behind your lawn dying out such as fungal diseases, lack of fertilizer or over-watering.

Ruling Out Problems

• Gardeners should rule out other underlining issues when they see their fescue die out. To check if your fescue has a fungal disease, cut out a 2-inch-wide and -deep piece of turf. Place the fescue sample in a container and mail out to your local cooperative extension office. Rule out over-watering by placing 2-inch-deep tuna cans in the lawn. Fescue grass needs 2 inches of water a week. If the tuna can is full of water, refrain from supplementing water that week.

Watering Fescue

• Fescue growing in temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit for a prolonged period of time will likely die out, according to Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. However, gardeners may prevent fescue from dying out when summer temperatures are moderately hot. Water your lawn so that the first 4 inches of topsoil are moist. If water runs off the lawn before the soil is adequately moist, turn the water on and off several times so that the water has time to absorb into the soil, as recommended by Texas A&M University.

Winter

• Fescue grass types such as tall fescue can survive mild winters, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Gardeners will see their fescue die out or go dormant during freezing temperatures or snow cover. However, grass typically starts growing again in the early spring when soil temperatures warm up to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil temperatures must remain warm for a week in order for fescue's roots and blades to begin their growing season.