The Best Time to Plant Kentucky Fescue

Kentucky-31 Fescue

• Kentucky-31 is a relatively coarse-textured cultivar, first developed from grasses found growing on a Kentucky farm in 1931. It's seen use as pasture and turf grass, although its bunching growth habit makes it undesirable for some lawns. Kentucky fescue is a deep-rooted grass, able to withstand periods of drought and heat stress, although growth is most vigorous in cool, moist environments. It spreads primarily via erect tillers rather than rhizomes. The leaves are wide and dark green with serrated margins.

When to Plant

• Plant Kentucky fescue in early fall for best results, from seed or sod. Although cool-season grass established in spring may grow successfully, it's more susceptible to various diseases then and may be damaged by the heat and drought of summer. Fescues planted in early fall have the entire winter and spring to establish themselves, enabling them to better tolerate adverse conditions. Healthy stands of fescue will enter dormancy in summer, greening up with the arrival of cooler weather in fall.

How to Plant

• Kentucy fescue grows relatively slowly, making uniform seedbed coverage an important consideration when planting. Prepare seedbeds by tilling to a depth of 4 inches, and firm tilled areas with a lawn roller prior to seeding. Select a site with good drainage, and eliminate weeds and competing species of grass before planting. Seed Kentucky fescue using a mechanical seeder or hydroseeder, at a rate of 6 to 8 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet of lawn area. Cover the seed lightly with mulch or topsoil after planting.

Postplanting Care

• Keep recently planted areas evenly moist for 2 weeks to 1 month after seeding, depending on weather conditions and observed growth. Reduce watering gradually to maintenance levels, and begin mowing once the grass reaches 3 inches tall. Kentucky fescue should be mowed to a height of 2 inches. Fertilization can begin approximately 1 month after germination, at a rate of 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn. Water regularly and keep lawn areas free of weeds and other, competing grasses for best results.