September is the ideal time to begin improving your Tall Fescue lawn as summer highs slowly give way to moderate fall temperatures. Tall Fescue, a cool-season grass variety, grows best with air temperatures between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. While we might not be experiencing moderate temperatures quite yet, they are just around the corner. Because of this, September is the ideal time to prepare your lawn for luscious growth through a variety of strategic methods. Continue reading to see how you can improve your Fescue lawn and build strong habits to keep it healthy and thriving.

If you want to give Tall Fescue the best chance of success, take a soil test to determine the exact pH and nutrient profile of your lawn. A variety of soil test kits are available on the market, but Lincoln County Cooperative Extension offers free testing between the months of April and November courtesy of NCDA. You can collect kits from our office and bring them back for free shipping at the end of the month or mail them out yourself for faster results.

Compacted lawns, common in areas with clay-heavy soils, can be improved through aeration. Manual, drum, and pull-behind aerators are available at most garden centers and accommodate a variety of budgets. Core aerators are ideal as they remove plugs of compacted soil, leaving behind space that can be filled with topsoil, improving soil structure and root penetration.

Topsoil can be added to lawns to improve soil composition around dead spots, or in a thin even layer over larger areas. Homeowners will notice that dead spots where Fescue and weeds are absent often have little to no topsoil at all and are instead areas of exposed clay. Paired with aeration, topsoil can be added to improve the area before overseeing.

Fertilizer should be added only as necessary and at formulations and rates recommended by a soil test. If homeowners wish to fertilize their lawns without a soil test, use weaker formulations at lower rates to avoid adding too much of any particular nutrient. Nutrients such as Phosphorus and Potassium can buildup in soils if added too frequently.

Lime should also be added ONLY when the pH is too low, according to soil test results. Regular applications of lime, even at lower rates, can eventually lead to soil pH that is too high for healthy grass growth.

Herbicides should be selected to target specific weeds or by weed type, ex; broadleaf weeds, sedges. When selecting herbicides read the entire label front and back. Ensure that the product is intended for use in residential turf and is effective at the time of year you plan to apply it on your lawn. For pre emergent herbicides be very cautious of length of effectiveness. If you plan to use a pre emergent before overseeing with Tall Fescue seed there is a chance you will have reduced rates of germination.

When selecting seed mixes for your lawn consider the conditions of your space and the problems you have dealt with in the past. Drought resistant cultivars, as well as cultivars with disease resistance and moisture tolerance are available in a variety of mixes from a number of reputable brands. You may also wish to match the color or texture of your existing Fescue, in which case it is best to keep track year to year what cultivars you have used in the past. These Tall Fescue cultivars are among the top performing varieties in North Carolina and offer a resistance to a variety of diseases and disorders.

Timing is crucial to successful germination of Tall Fescue seed. Tall Fescue germinates and grows best when daytime highs have dipped below 80°F and nighttime lows are above the mid 60s°F. This temperature window can be deceptively narrow as temperatures are far from predictable between September and October. Because of this, it is recommended to keep an eye on weather forecasts and target some period between mid-September and mid-October where temperatures remain below 80°F with some limited exception, but to avoid waiting too long to avoid frost or temperatures in the low 50s°F in the first few weeks following over seeding.

You may only be seeding bare spots in your yard, or you may choose to over seed your entire lawn. Regardless of the task ahead of you, make sure you purchase enough seed ahead of time and spread it evenly. Try seeding in multiple directions to ensure even application of seed. For filling in bare spots, homemade seed spreaders can be made using an old coffee can and a drill (make sure you use a drill bit large enough to allow seed through). For larger applications consider purchasing a rotary spreader. These are often available secondhand for a reduced price.

Once you have finished over seeding, lightly water using your in-ground irrigation system, an oscillating sprinkler, or by hand. If your soil is dry, water in 10-20 minute intervals to avoid runoff (seeds will runoff with the water). Allow for the water to completely penetrate the soil before you begin watering again. You may even consider watering the area before over seeding to help the seed stick to the soil.

It is CRUCIAL that Tall Fescue seed remains moist throughout germination and the first 2-3 weeks of growth to ensure sufficient root development and establishment. Dried straw is sometimes layered over seed to prevent drying-out.

Along with the watering requirements stated in the above paragraph, keep in mind the amount of watering that may be required in the first few weeks following over seeding. When weather conditions require it (higher temperatures, minimal precipitation), you may need to water two or three times a day. Early morning before the sun is shining directly on your lawn is an ideal time for watering, but afternoon or evening watering may be required when high heat is present. The goal is not to water as much as possible, but to keep the top layer of soil consistently moist. This can be one of the most frustrating parts of over seeding Fescue and should be anticipated, especially in lawns with full sun exposure in the latter part of the day.

Timers and oscillating sprinklers can alleviate some of this work for homeowners without in-ground irrigation.

note: see local water restrictions due to drought

Tall Fescue should be mowed to a height 2 1/2 to 3 inches. For optimal grass health, you should cut the top 1/3 of the grass blade. Meaning; for 3 inch tall grass, cut when the grass is about 4 inches tall, or for 2 1/2 inch grass cut when the grass is 3 1/4 inches tall.

Mow consistently and from a different direction each time. If you mowed North to South one week, try to mow East to West the next, then at a diagonal after that.

When it comes to mowing after over seeding, try to hold off until the seedlings are at least 3 inches tall, or after at least 3 weeks. If your existing Fescue begins shading out the seedlings, go ahead and mow to ensure the seedlings don't become over crowded.

Maintaining your Tall Fescue at the appropriate height maintains strong root development, crowds out competing weeds, and prevents excessive growth that leads to mulch buildup after mowing which can smother otherwise healthy Fescue.

Besides mowing, try to keep off freshly seeded Fescue until it begins to catch up to established Fescue stands.

For a Tall Fescue Maintenance Calendar click here.