What is the problem with fescue grass?
Tall Fescue lawns can be prone to pest infestations that can hinder their growth, and cause your lawn to turn brown. Tall fescue is particularly vulnerable to Army Worms, Cutworms and White Grubs. Army Worms are the larvae of the Army Worm moth (Spodoptera mauritia). You most likely have a common lawn fungal disease! It is called ‘Brown Patch’ in Tall Fescue or Zoysiagrass and ‘Summer Patch’ in Kentucky Bluegrass. These fungi attack your lawn when weather is hot and humid during the night.Brown patch, caused by the Rhizoctonia species fungus, is the most common disease that can develop in a Fescue lawn. It appears as a brown or yellow circular patch of grass that can vary in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter.Brown patch symptoms develop within a few days during warm, humid weather. Patches initially are dark purple-green, but then quickly fade to light tan or brown as the diseased leaves dry out. Diseased turf may appear drought stressed even when the soil is moist.Brown patches not attributable to pets, slimy patches of grass, a film covering the grass and spots on individual blades of grass are all signs of an issue. While specific fungi and lawn diseases have unique signs, some of the most common types of disease and fungus include: Dollar spot.
How to fix a fescue lawn?
Core Aeration and Over-seeding is the single most important thing you can do to your lawn to increase the overall health and beauty of your turfgrass. Fescue does not spread like Bermuda, so it relies on being reseeded in order to re-grow and become dense and lush. Tall fescue, also called Kentucky 31 fescue, is a rhizomatus, cool season grass that invades open areas throughout the United States. This tall grass (up to 6 ft.Tall Fescue does not tolerate warm, humid climates particularly well, leaving it open to the development of destructive lawn diseases. This makes Tall Fescue a risky choice for Australia’s more northern states. Being a cool season grass, Tall Fescue is susceptible to Brown Patch, a fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia.Turf-type tall fescue is a clump-forming perennial grass with deep roots. Its roots can reach up to 2-3 feet deep in the soil, which allows it to access water and nutrients that shallow-rooted grasses cannot. This makes it much more drought-tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass, which has shallow roots.Cattle grazing too much Tall Fescue can get “fescue foot”, a crippling condition caused by the toxins in the grass. In wildlife biology Fescue is known as the “F” word. According to most wildlife biologists, it is the number one reason our Northern Bobwhite populations have plummeted.Fescue toxicity is a condition caused by the ingestion of toxic compounds found in tall fescue grass, particularly the dominant variety known as K-31. The problem lies in a fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) that lives within the grass.
Will fescue grow back?
It’s essential for homeowners to be aware that dormancy doesn’t imply that the grass is dead; rather, it is a natural survival mechanism to conserve energy and withstand adverse weather conditions. As temperatures gradually warm up in spring, Tall Fescue will come out of dormancy, and its growth will resume. Grasses such as tall fescue and perennial ryegrass do not produce much thatch and may not need to be dethatched more than every few years.Thick thatch blocks water and fertilizer, and grass roots get trapped in thatch, where they’re vulnerable to heat, drought and stress. Water from irrigation can accumulate in the thatch layer, too, so grass roots suffocate from lack of air. Thick thatch also provides a breeding ground for lawn disease and insect pests.
What are the symptoms of fescue toxicosis?
Summer Fescue Toxicosis Signs other than reduced performance, which may appear within 1–2 weeks after fescue feeding begins, include fever, tachypnea, rough coat, lower serum prolactin concentrations, and excessive salivation. The animals seek wet spots or shade. Lowered reproductive performance also has been reported. Tall Fescue grass is more susceptible to brown patch during the hot, humid summer months. Lawn fungicide or fungus control can be applied to the lawn after brown patch has appeared, but it is best to take preventative action and begin applying fungus control for the duration of the summer months.The best times for fescue fungicide application are late spring to early summer and early fall, as these are periods when fungal diseases are most active. If you want your fescue to remain healthy and vibrant throughout the summer, you may need multiple fungicide applications from June to August.
Why is my fescue dying?
The most common reason we see for fescue decline is brown patch disease. There is one primary catalyst to brown patch disease – TOO MUCH WATER! Too much or too frequent watering sessions, especially during the summer months. Although fescue is fairly heat and drought tolerant for a cool season grass, hot temperatures and low water can cause the turfgrass to begin to go into a brief dormancy. Your grass is likely not “dead” and you should continue with regular watering throughout the summer, to maintain root health.Watering After Seeding Tall Fescue Avoid run-off and over watering; seeds will probably need as little as 5 minutes of watering to the point of wetting them, but to keep them moist, you may need to water as frequently as 3-4 times a day during the height of summer (i.
Can you revive dead fescue?
If your grass is actually dead, there’s nothing you can do to bring it back other than plant new grass. Brown grass, however, can green up following proper care. Oftentimes, that just means water, nutrients, and cooler temperatures for northern lawns and warmer temperatures for southern lawns. Dead grass can block seed from making soil contact, so begin by raking out the area thoroughly. Remove dead thatch, leaves, and loose clippings. If turf is completely dead and matted down, it should be removed so new seedlings can root properly.