How to Grow Fescue Grass in North Carolina

Plant fescue from the beginning of September to mid-October in North Carolina. Roots grow best in 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and shoots grow best in 60 to 75 F. Keep planted areas moist until seedlings emerge; water frequently for the first six weeks.

Mow the grass to 3 inches once a week; don't let it get higher than 5 inches tall. Leave the clippings on the lawn to help fertilize the grass. As the heat of the North Carolina summer increases, in June, July and August, raise the mower to 3 1/2 inches so the blades will help shade the roots.

Fertilize with a 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer in the middle of September, then in November after the grass stops growing and in February before the spring growing season. Do not fertilize after mid-March.

Water with 1 inch of water a week year-round. Water should penetrate through the soil 4 to 6 inches. Sandy soil needs more frequent irrigation; water 1/2 inch every three days. If you plan to let the lawn go dormant in drought-like conditions from June to August, water only every three weeks.

Apply pre-emergent herbicide from March to May. Apply broadleaf herbicide once from September to November, then again sometime from December to February. Examine the lawn for white grubs -- a common pest for fescue lawns -- from April to October; apply a general pesticide if you have them.

Overseed thin areas at the end of August in western North Carolina. Use 6 lbs. of seed for every 1,000 square feet along with a starter fertilizer. Keep over-seeded area moist until germination. Overseed in late September in the piedmont and coastal plain regions of the state. All regions should aerate in the fall if lawns have any high-traffic or compacted areas.