Weed Control for Fescue

Significance

• Fescue grasses encompass broad-leaved grasses and fine-leaved grasses. Tall fescue is a broad-leaved fescue, while hard, sheep, Chewing's, and creeping red fescue are fine fescues. Broad-leaved and fine-leaved fescues have different weed control requirements.

Types

• Pre-emergent herbicides prevent the development of weeds, particularly crabgrass. Broadleaf herbicides, effective against plants such as dandelions, kill weeds that are already growing.

Tall Fescue

• Use a blanket application of herbicide on broad-leaved fescue, covering the entire area. For broad-leaved fescue, use pre-emergent herbicide at the beginning of spring. Repeat the application in May. Switch to a broadleaf herbicide and treat the grass in fall and again in winter. Do not use any herbicide on tall fescue during summer months.

Fine Fescue

• Fine fescue needs only spot applications of herbicide to control problem areas. Because fine fescue grows slowly, it must be at least 3 years old before being treated with herbicides as herbicides can kill the young grass. Perform spot-treatments with broadleaf herbicides on weeds growing in fine fescue.