Starting low mow, no mow tall fescue lawn - Ask Extension
We had a landscape company start our new lawn in Vadnais Heights. Our intent is to have a low mow/low mow fine fescue lawn as described on the turf s...
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Starting low mow, no mow tall fescue lawn #877641
Asked July 17, 2024, 1:56 PM EDT
We had a landscape company start our new lawn in Vadnais Heights. Our intent is to have a low mow/low mow fine fescue lawn as described on the turf science web site. The landscaper seeded with 1/3 Jetty Hard Fescue 1/3 Radar Chewing Fescue and 1/3 Cardinal Creeping Red Fescue. Seeding was done approximately a month ago and followed by the large amounts of rain we have seen in the twin cities. A fair amount of the seed has washed away (a couple times). Where the seed did start to germinate it was looking fairly good but now it seems to have stopped its growth and it spots is dying (pictures attached). Except in a couple of shady areas the growth heights are very short. We have the following questions (to start):
1-Is the type and mixture of seeds used correct for what we want as fine fescue lawn in the suburbs?
2- What kind of germination rate and growth rate should we expect?
3-How much watering should we be doing to establish the lawn?
4-Given where we are at what should our next steps be?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
The seed mix should give the results you want. I would cover the lawn with landscape cloth also called Remay cloth. The use greatly improves success. It protects the seed from wildlife and sun while it’s becoming established. Once the grass becomes mature after the light green seedling phase the cloth can be removed.
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care
How to care for the newly seeded lawn
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care
How to care for the newly seeded lawn
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care