Lawn type for middle TN?

[jp1]

Zoysia seed is extremely difficult to establish and doesnt have same appearance as sodded varieties. Further, Meyer, the prefferd seed, is hard to find and usually sells out.

I have tried Yukon Bermuda seed on an bank where I could get nothing to grow. It is now the thickest and most lush grass in yard. Yukon is dense, has a fullerr blade than many common varieties, and does not grow high. It aggressively fills in bare spots.

Anyone have thoughts on bluegrass in East Tennessee?

Summers are too hot in East Tennessee for bluegrass in my opinion. If you want a cool season grass here you will have more success with fescue.

Ive tried a bluegrass mix before and even kept it irrigated and it didnt do well.

 

[Coug]

It will not prevent it, but you will not notice it as quickly. Fescue has a life cycle. There's no way around it. I love a fescue lawn, but most people don't want them due to the work it takes to keep them up.

As to the reseeding question, it kind of depends on the lawn but I usually put down between 3-4 pounds per 1,000 sq feet. (Please note my location is different from yours)

I have to wholeheartedly disagree as an actual owner of a Fescue lawn. In over 10 years I have not had to kill off any Fescue in either my front or backyard. I do however take care of it by using fertilizer/weed control, and also aerate and overseed once a year if needed(if heat or drought has caused patches or I notice thinning.

I think volhog would be fine if he aerated and overseeded like he originally asked.

 

[Roustabout]

I have to wholeheartedly disagree as an actual owner of a Fescue lawn. In over 10 years I have not had to kill off any Fescue in either my front or backyard. I do however take care of it by using fertilizer/weed control, and also aerate and overseed once a year if needed(if heat or drought has caused patches or I notice thinning.

I think volhog would be fine if he aerated and overseeded like he originally asked.

Yep. Aerating is the key. Soil compaction is terrible in our area due to lots of clay

 

[jp1]

I have to wholeheartedly disagree as an actual owner of a Fescue lawn. In over 10 years I have not had to kill off any Fescue in either my front or backyard. I do however take care of it by using fertilizer/weed control, and also aerate and overseed once a year if needed(if heat or drought has caused patches or I notice thinning.

I think volhog would be fine if he aerated and overseeded like he originally asked.

I dont think Obsessed is wrong at all.

I think you overseeding causes you not to notice. I went through the same exact thing. It was more expensive to maintain and took more of my time to keep my fescue yard in the shape that I believe makes a yard nice, as compared to my now Zoysia yard.

 

[Roustabout]

Summers are too hot in East Tennessee for bluegrass in my opinion. If you want a cool season grass here you will have more success with fescue.

Ive tried a bluegrass mix before and even kept it irrigated and it didnt do well.

The reason I ask is I purchased grass seed at Lowes. I was putting in an area that is mixed sun and shade. I didn't really pay much attention because it isn't a highly visible area of the lawn and is a hillside. Well, now it looks great. Seeded in the fall. I bought some Pennington this Spring and it is pail green and looks terrible. This other was dark green, almost blue, doesn't grow real high, and has a thinner blade than most tall fescues. It has held up to the drought better than any other fescue I've seen. But it was off the shelf grass and now I can't remember what brand and seed it was. Started thinking I'd inadvertently purchased blue grass because of the color.

I'm pretty well committed to Zoysia for the long run. I've seeded in Fescue just for instant yard, but I'm slowly plugging in Zoysia and figure it will do its thing over the long hall.

 

[Gramps]

I dont think Obsessed is wrong at all.

I think you overseeding causes you not to notice. I went through the same exact thing. It was more expensive to maintain and took more of my time to keep my fescue yard in the shape that I believe makes a yard nice, as compared to my now Zoysia yard.

I agree.... OB knows lawns.

 

[jp1]

The reason I ask is I purchased grass seed at Lowes. I was putting in an area that is mixed sun and shade. I didn't really pay much attention because it isn't a highly visible area of the lawn and is a hillside. Well, now it looks great. Seeded in the fall. I bought some Pennington this Spring and it is pail green and looks terrible. This other was dark green, almost blue, doesn't grow real high, and has a thinner blade than most tall fescues. It has held up to the drought better than any other fescue I've seen. But it was off the shelf grass and now I can't remember what brand and seed it was. Started thinking I'd inadvertently purchased blue grass because of the color.

I'm pretty well committed to Zoysia for the long run. I've seeded in Fescue just for instant yard, but I'm slowly plugging in Zoysia and figure it will do its thing over the long hall.

Your description fits bluegrass but also fit some different cultivars of fescue. Soil quality, along with fertilazation amounts can have a big effect on blade color so its hard to say. Although the big box stores do sell some decent brand seeds I think you will find a higher quality seed elsewhere. If youre in the East Tn area I recommend John Deere Landscapes off Lovell road for seed. You can also find some good seed specialty stores.

 

[Coug]

I dont think Obsessed is wrong at all.

I think you overseeding causes you not to notice. I went through the same exact thing. It was more expensive to maintain and took more of my time to keep my fescue yard in the shape that I believe makes a yard nice, as compared to my now Zoysia yard.

I'm not saying he's wrong overall, I'm really only saying he's wrong with regard to answering the OP's question. He asked if by planting Fescue could you avoid clumping by aerating and overseeding. The answer is absolutely yes. If you plant Fescue and use a combination of weed control/fertilizer mixed with aeration and overseeding you can have a beautiful Fescue lawn.

If you plant Fescue and proceed to do nothing to it but mow it when it gets long then it will likely turn into a clumping eyesore. It requires maintenance as do most lawns.

 

[jp1]

I'm not saying he's wrong overall, I'm really only saying he's wrong with regard to answering the OP's question. He asked if by planting Fescue could you avoid clumping by aerating and overseeding. The answer is absolutely yes. If you plant Fescue and use a combination of weed control/fertilizer mixed with aeration and overseeding you can have a beautiful Fescue lawn.

If you plant Fescue and proceed to do nothing to it but mow it when it gets long then it will likely turn into a clumping eyesore. It requires maintenance as do most lawns.

Sorry I misunderstood what you were saying. I agree with what you said above. It takes alot of work, but a fescue lawn done right is beautiful. Definitely a retirees grass, unless you pay someone to help you keep it up.

 

[Roustabout]

Update for anyone thinking of Zoysia.

This grass is super grass. Once it is established (and that takes a while) it is without compare. This stuff will choke out crabgrass and any other invasive weed.

Zoysia seed is very hard to establish, but several years ago I experimented with Zenith. You have to absolutely baby it to get it to germinate. Initially, i thought it was a failure, but as time went on, little bits of Zoysia were turning up. Now this area (about 5 years) is a dense, lush, sea of Zoysia with no blank spots. Plus it has spread to cover an area about twice as large as what I seeded, and continues to do so. I've also transplanted several patches, where it was growing into my flower beds, into other parts of the yard with great results.

question: does anyone know if you can burn Zoysia prior to wake up like you can with Bermuda? I've done this with Bermuda to get rid of thatch with great results.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Looking like I will need to go to Zoysia on my next project...

 

[vol_in_ar]

Update for anyone thinking of Zoysia.

This grass is super grass. Once it is established (and that takes a while) it is without compare. This stuff will choke out crabgrass and any other invasive weed.

Zoysia seed is very hard to establish, but several years ago I experimented with Zenith. You have to absolutely baby it to get it to germinate. Initially, i thought it was a failure, but as time went on, little bits of Zoysia were turning up. Now this area (about 5 years) is a dense, lush, sea of Zoysia with no blank spots. Plus it has spread to cover an area about twice as large as what I seeded, and continues to do so. I've also transplanted several patches, where it was growing into my flower beds, into other parts of the yard with great results.

question: does anyone know if you can burn Zoysia prior to wake up like you can with Bermuda? I've done this with Bermuda to get rid of thatch with great results.

awesome results, I don't think you can burn it

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

I've got Zeon Zoysia. It's the best grass in the south. They call it barefoot grass for a reason. As its like a carpet. I've got a partial Sun yard so I tested the Zoysia with chunks of sod and it's taken off. Next May I'm buying a pallet of the stuff. $300-$400 delivered

Stuff seems pretty hard to kill too

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Update for anyone thinking of Zoysia.

This grass is super grass. Once it is established (and that takes a while) it is without compare. This stuff will choke out crabgrass and any other invasive weed.

Zoysia seed is very hard to establish, but several years ago I experimented with Zenith. You have to absolutely baby it to get it to germinate. Initially, i thought it was a failure, but as time went on, little bits of Zoysia were turning up. Now this area (about 5 years) is a dense, lush, sea of Zoysia with no blank spots. Plus it has spread to cover an area about twice as large as what I seeded, and continues to do so. I've also transplanted several patches, where it was growing into my flower beds, into other parts of the yard with great results.

question: does anyone know if you can burn Zoysia prior to wake up like you can with Bermuda? I've done this with Bermuda to get rid of thatch with great results.

I assume you planted seed in late winter/early spring?

 

[Roustabout]

Actually, i had initially planted the seed in summer.
Keep in mind that you have to plant it when ground temps are consistently 70 and above. You do not want to plant it in Fall, as Zoysia will go dormant and the need growth needs to be established before dormancy or it will die out in the winter from lack of stored nutrients and roots. It is nothing like Fescue in terms of timing. You will want lose soil with seed raked gently in. Then it is a matter of constant watering. Once established Zoysia requires little maintenance. It is extremely drought tolerant and will thrive in nearly any soil condition. Just doesn't do as well in heavy shade. It will grow, just not as dense or thick and won't out compete crab grass and weeds like will in full sun areas.

 

[golfballs]

What’s the best seed for patches? I have a tall fescue lawn and I have a small patch that I want to fill in. Was looking at Scott’s. Anyone know the difference between their Patch Master and EZ Seed?

 

[Guest]

What’s the best seed for patches? I have a tall fescue lawn and I have a small patch that I want to fill in. Was looking at Scott’s. Anyone know the difference between their Patch Master and EZ Seed?

Don’t know the answer to the question but here’s some suggestions.
A feed store or hardware store in your area that sells seeds would be your best bet. Should be able to buy what you need by the pound. Scotts products have a lot of weeds in it. 2 types of fescue: turf & field. You probably have turf. Now’s not a good time to plant fescue, needs to be done in early fall. If planted now, roots won’t have time to establish before the heated temperatures get here soon. The heat will burn it all up. Fescue being a cool weather grass thrives in the fall & spring. Planted around 1st of September & the roots will be established going into the dormant season & will start growing again bout the end of February in W Tn. The fall & spring grows will establish the roots enough to go into the heat season. Your probably gonna go ahead & plant some no; buy some extra seeds for the fall plant too

 

[golfballs]

Don’t know the answer to the question but here’s some suggestions.
A feed store or hardware store in your area that sells seeds would be your best bet. Should be able to buy what you need by the pound. Scotts products have a lot of weeds in it. 2 types of fescue: turf & field. You probably have turf. Now’s not a good time to plant fescue, needs to be done in early fall. If planted now, roots won’t have time to establish before the heated temperatures get here soon. The heat will burn it all up. Fescue being a cool weather grass thrives in the fall & spring. Planted around 1st of September & the roots will be established going into the dormant season & will start growing again bout the end of February in W Tn. The fall & spring grows will establish the roots enough to go into the heat season. Your probably gonna go ahead & plant some no; buy some extra seeds for the fall plant too

I live up north. It’s in the 20s this morning here. So it’s still a little early to plant. The spot I’m trying to patch is very small so it’s not a big deal if it doesn’t establish I’ll try again in the fall.

 

[Carl Pickens]

I have to wholeheartedly disagree as an actual owner of a Fescue lawn. In over 10 years I have not had to kill off any Fescue in either my front or backyard. I do however take care of it by using fertilizer/weed control, and also aerate and overseed once a year if needed(if heat or drought has caused patches or I notice thinning.

I think volhog would be fine if he aerated and overseeded like he originally asked.

I had issues with fescue clumping in the past. It does happen

 

[Guest]

I live up north. It’s in the 20s this morning here. So it’s still a little early to plant. The spot I’m trying to patch is very small so it’s not a big deal if it doesn’t establish I’ll try again in the fall.

You have the perfect climate for it. Maybe you'll have better spring results than what West Tennessee would have. Get a better seed than Scotts unless weeds mixed in don't matter. Let me know if you get the weed wacker fixed or if you throw it in a lake, let me know that too!!

Types of Fescue Grass|Fescue Grass Seed For Lawns & More|Fescue.com

 

[golfballs]

You have the perfect climate for it. Maybe you'll have better spring results than what West Tennessee would have. Get a better seed than Scotts unless weeds mixed in don't matter. Let me know if you get the weed wacker fixed or if you throw it in a lake, let me know that too!!

Types of Fescue Grass|Fescue Grass Seed For Lawns & More|Fescue.com

I have seed leftover from when I killed off and replanted my lawn a couple years ago. It’s top notch stuff but I don’t think it’s still good. And the place I bought it from isn’t very convenient especially for the little amount I need for a corner of my property (in fact most people think it’s my neighbors). Anyway I’ll try to find someone close by who sells seed by the pound.

I’m working on my trimmer today. I’ll let you know haha

 

[golfballs]

 

[golfballs]

Fescue from Oregon and the bluegrass is from Washington

 

[StarRaider]

@golfballs I would just buy some sod to fill in the bare spots and deal with it in the fall if they let you buy seed there "up north"

Also I have seen folks grow grass in pots and then use that to fill in bare spots.

 

[Roustabout]

@golfballs I would just buy some sod to fill in the bare spots and deal with it in the fall if they let you buy seed there "up north"

Also I have seen folks grow grass in pots and then use that to fill in bare spots.

I’ve seen people grow grass in pots too.

They ain’t fillin bare spots with it.