Tall Fescue - Turf Grass

Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea L.)

Origin: Tall Fescue is a cool season perennial bunch grass. Like all of the cool season turf grasses, Tall Fescue was introduced into the United States from Europe during the Colonial Period. Tall Fescue is also available as a turf grass in Australia.

General Information: Tall Fescue is one of the most drought, heat and wear tolerant species. Due to its large and deep root system, it is able to take up water in dry periods when other grasses have stopped their growth. This means that Tall Fescue stays green in dry summer periods and tolerates high temperatures. The leaf texture is rather coarse compared to other turf grasses, but new varieties have been much improved with narrow leaves. The leaf colour is normally dark green. In general, the disease tolerance is very high. Establishment is not as quick as for Perennial Ryegrass and a high seeding rate is recommended. In thin stands, individual plants develop a rather broad crown through abundant tillering. Occasionally, plants develop a few short, thick rhizomes. Tall fescue is coarse textured, shade tolerant and moderately drought resistant. Tall fescue is adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Although it can be grown in the southern region, it is best adapted to the transition and temperate zones of the United States.

Tall Fescue details: Tall Fescue is medium to dark in colour and has a more extensive root system than other lawns. Tall Fescue offers reasonable shade and drought tolerance and wears well when area is prepared well.

Climate: Tall Fescue adapts well to cold winters and warm summers. It is a good play lawn and is recommended for a wide variety of uses, including residential and commercial landscapes.

Maintenance: Tall Fescue often requires no more work than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly watered, fertilised and mowed, has far fewer problems with weeds, diseases and insects. A well kept lawn remains lush and attractive, giving you much more enjoyment.

Mowing: Your Tall Fescue will require it’s first mow approximately two weeks after laying. Never leave your lawn longer than two weeks between mowing in Summer. Mowing regularly is recommended, as you should never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass height at a time. For weed maintenance, chemical controls are most effective during autumn and spring. It is important not to mow Tall Fescue short.

Watering: Your newly laid lawn requires a soaking straight after laying. It is virtually impossible to over water during the first week after installation. Keep your lawn completely saturated for the first week and constantly moist during the second week. Watering can then be spaced depending upon weather. Remember, once the lawn is established, it is better to water deeply and less frequently, rather than a light daily watering. Watering for the warmer months, it is suggested that you use organic water saver when laying you turf, this is available from Lilydale Farms and other turf specialists. Organic water saver is available in 30 litre bags which cover 10 square metres for $11.00 including G.S.T.

Fertilising: The first application of fertiliser should be applied approximately 6 weeks after installation. We recommend that you fertilise your lawn every 2-3 months or if your lawn is hungry or its appearance is less vibrantly green. It is vital to follow the instructions on the packet and not to over fertilise. A good complete fertiliser (containing nitrogen, phosphate, potassium) is required. It will respond well to high nitrogen applications to achieve a higher quality turf. Lilydale Instant Lawn offer a 4kg bucket of Sir Walter Fertiliser for $28.00. The 4kg bucket will fertilise approximately 120 square metres of turf.

Soil Preparation: It is important to have a well-worked friable base on which to install your turf. 100mm (4 inches) is the minimum depth of soil required. If the existing soil is unsuitable it is suggested that you get a soil blend from local garden supplies. Alternatively you can rotary hoe the surface. You will need to remove all stones, clods and other debris. Rake the entire area to ensure there is a smooth, even surface. Allow about 20mm below paths and driveways for the thickness of the turf.

Turf Laying: Start by sprinkling the area with the fertiliser, either using a Spreader or by hand, then begin laying your turf along a straight edge, such as a driveway or footpath, furthest from the stack of turf. Therefore it won’t be necessary to walk over any of the freshly laid lawn. The turf should be laid in a brickwork pattern, ensuring all edges are butted and pushed together but not overlapping. The turf can be trimmed with a sharp knife to conform with paths and garden edges, etc. It is up to you if you wish to give your lawn a light roll at this stage. When you have finished laying your new turf, we strongly suggest you keep traffic to a minimum for approximately 2 week. This will give the root system time to grow down into your soil.

Cultivars from DLF Triforium include: Beagle 1, Braveheart, Cannavardo, Debussy 1, Essential, Eyecandy, Flippa, Finelawn, Greenbrooks, Greenfront, Greenzeal, Kontiki, Masterpiece, Olympic Gold, Rembrandt, Rhizing Star, Starlett, Tomcat 1, Umbrella, and Venanzio.

Some Australian Cultivars include:

• Temperate type, very early flowering: AU Triumph, Dovey, Quantum, and Quantum Max;
  
• Temperate type, mid – late flowering: Advance, Demeter, Jesup Max, Lunibelle, and Typhoon;
• Temperate type, late flowering: Vulcan II, Carmine; and
  
• Mediterrranean type, mid season flowering (= ‘winter active - summer dormant types’): Flecha Max, Fraydo, Resolute, Resolute Max, and Origin.