Fall is Fescue Seeding Time in Tennessee

     Whether it’s the fine or tall variety, fescue grass is best planted in late summer through fall, when weather temperatures are 55-80 degrees and soil temperatures are above 50  degrees (Late August through October).  Early fall allows seedlings time to establish themselves before winter.

    You can’t just throw down some seed and hope for the best.  Preparation is everything!   Before you lay any seed down, the soil must be aerated and loosened to aid root growth.  Remove all sticks and stones.  Get a soil test to find your soil's pH.   The soil pH range should be between 6.2 –7.  If your soil isn’t in that range you may need to add certain materials to correct it.    Testing soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark.  Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline.   To raise the soil pH (make it more alkaline) you can add pelletized lime to the soil.  To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply soil sulfur, aluminum sulfate, or chelated iron. 

     Ideally, plant fescue at least 45 days before the typical first frost, which is usually November 8 in our area.  On bare soil, spread 6 to 8 lbs. per 1,000 square

feet.  When over-seeding an established yard, spread 3 to 4 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.  Lightly rake seed to distribute the seed within the top quarter inch of the loosened soil.  Apply a high phosphorus fertilizer like 9-13-7 to help germination, and to build a good root system.   Water daily if it doesn’t rain, for 3 to 4 weeks, while the grass seed germinates.

     If you have a Zoysia or Bermuda grass lawn and don’t like straw brown color in the winter, over-seed with cool-season annual rye for a bright green winter color.  When temperatures get above 80 degrees next spring, both Zoysia and Bermuda will choke out the annual rye. 

     Fall offers several advantages not available any other time of the year.  Cool nights, 80-degree days and warm soil make for the perfect time for good seed germination that will leave you with a lush green lawn. 

KAT TIPS:  If there has been little rainfall on the soil, it is a good idea to soak the soil the evening prior to aeration.