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Tall Fescue Clumps #878478

Asked July 23, 2024, 5:29 PM EDT

I understand that the only way to get rid of tall fescue clumps is to kill and replant. Can you recommend a way to get an estimate from a reputable lawn professional.?

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
You can poison it https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/lawns/1529-tall-fescue-weed-bluegrass-lawns/#:~:text=You%20can%20spray%20fescue%20clumps,a%20new%20roll%20of%20sod.
but on the other hand, a bluegrass lawn is an unstable monoculture. This might be  good time to consider moving to a diverse bee lawn.
Here are some other management ideas. 
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-do-i-control-tall-fescue-my-lawn
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied July 23, 2024, 7:37 PM EDT

Hi Steve,

I have been considering slowly killing the tall fescue and reseeding. But I live in an HOA which has a vendor do the lawn cutting. They buzz from yard to yard with their riding lawn mowers. So if I reduce the clumps in my yard, will they just be transferred back to my yard with the lawn mowers? Should I avoid purchasing any new seed with fescue in it?

Thanks,

Larry Bresina, Lake Elmo

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:38 PM
To: labbresina <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Tall Fescue Clumps (#0148396)

 

The Question Asker Replied July 23, 2024, 8:52 PM EDT
Thank you for writing.
I find no data suggesting that mowing increases the spread of tall fescue. 
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/TURF-63-W.pdf

Tall fescue is a bunch-type grass that spreads by tillering, or vertical shoots, that grow from the base of the plant.
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied July 24, 2024, 1:07 PM EDT

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