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Problem:
Coarse Fescue

Image of Tall Fescue - Hardscapes

Problem Info

Clumps of very coarse, tough grass invade thin areas of the lawn. The medium-dark green blades, each 1/2 inch wide, are ribbed on the top surface and smooth on the bottom. In the spring and fall, the lower parts of the stems turn reddish purple. The blades tend to shred when mowed.

Analysis

Festuca arundinacea This cool-season, perennial, bunch-type grass is very durable. It is commonly used on athletic fields because it holds up well under hard wear. Tall fescue makes an attractive turf when grown by itself. When it is seeded with, or invades, bluegrass, bermudagrass, or ryegrass lawns, however, it is considered a weed. It becomes very clumpy and makes an uneven turf. When insects and diseases attack the desirable grasses in the lawn, the tall fescue is usually not affected. It resists diseases and grubs, and sod webworms attack it only if they''ve eaten everything else. It is also somewhat heat tolerant, and its deep roots help it survive periods of heavy moisture and drought.

Solution Advice

Omit a regular mowing before treating to allow for enough leaf tissue to absorb the chemical. One week after spraying, mow the fescue and reseed the area.