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Fescue Maintenance

Fescue

Homeowner Maintenance Guide

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2.5–3.5 inches
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1 inch per week total
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Preventative Fungicide & Insecticide

Seasonal Maintenance Guides for Your Fescue

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MOWING

When mowing during the summer, never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time. If you remove more than that, you will stress the grass and it may go brown for a short time. Taller blades provide more shade for your root system to stay cool and retain moisture during the hot summer days. If you are returning from vacation, you may have to mow multiple times to get the grass back to the desired height. Wait about three to five days between each mowing.

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WATERING

Do not over water the grass. Fescue only needs about one inch of water weekly. Water for longer periods of time, less frequently and in the early morning hours. Take rainfall into consideration.

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FERTILIZATION

For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the summer season by applying the Lawnifi Summer Box liquid fertilizer program.

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WEED CONTROL

DO NOT use herbicides at this time.

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INSECT CONTROL

Check for and control white grubs in July and August. Treat with an insecticide if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. August is the best time to control grubs because they are small and feeding near the soil surface.

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FUNGUS CONTROL

Fescue is highly susceptible to brown (large) patch disease, which appears as irregularly shaped patches of dead or dying turf. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer when the disease is active, keep the mowing height above three inches and water between 2:00–8:00AM. Apply fungicide during severe brown patch outbreaks. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.

Summer Products

Lawnifi Summer Box

Lawnifi Summer Fertilizer Box

$49.99

Spectracide Fungus Insect Control Hose End

Spectracide Immunox Fungus + Insect Control

$19.95

Spectracide Triazicide

Spectracide Triazicide

$16.95

Heritage G 30 lb

Heritage G Granular Fungicide

$39.95–$84.95

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MOWING

During the fall mowing will occur less often—keeping your bluegrass lightly higher will encourage deeper root growth for the winter.
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WATERING

Water less as temperatures drop—too much water will lead to disease.
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FERTILIZATION

For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Fall Box liquid fertilizer program.
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WEED CONTROL

If you haven’t had past problems with winter weeds, you can forgo herbicide in the fall. If you do get winter weeds, apply a pre-emergent herbicide for prevention.
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FUNGUS/INSECT

Apply fungicide. This will help the grass enter colder months in healthier condition. If you have had fungus before, you may need multiple applications in affected areas.

Fall Products

Lawnifi Fall Box

Lawnifi Fall Fertilizer Box

$49.99

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Heritage G Fungicide

$39.95 – $84.95

Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns + Crabgrass Killer

Spectracide Weed Stop

$16.95

Spectracide Fungus Insect Control Hose End

Spectracide Fungus + Insect Control

$19.95

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MOWING

Mow your fescue at the desired height; anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 inches tall.
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WATERING

Don’t overwater. Fescue needs about one inch of water a week considering rainfall.
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FERTILIZATION

For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Spring Box liquid fertilizer program.
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WEED CONTROL

Apply pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds in the summer like crabgrass, goose grass and foxtail.
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FUNGUS/INSECT

Apply fungicide if needed. If you have had a fungus or disease in your fescue in the past or have quite a bit of shade in the yard, apply a systemic fungicide to prevent future outbreaks. Check for and control white grubs in April and May.

Spring Products

Lawnifi Advanced Fertilizer Technology Box

Lawnifi Spring Fertilizer Box

$49.99

Imidacloprid .5G

Imidacloprid .5G Insecticide

$57.95

Heritage G 30 lb

Heritage G Fungicide

$39.95–84.95

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Prodiamine 65 WDG - 5lb

$66.95

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SUMMER
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MOWING

When mowing during the summer, never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time. If you remove more than that, you will stress the grass and it may go brown for a short time. Taller blades provide more shade for your root system to stay cool and retain moisture during the hot summer days. If you are returning from vacation, you may have to mow multiple times to get the grass back to the desired height. Wait about three to five days between each mowing.

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WATERING

Do not over water the grass. Fescue only needs about one inch of water weekly. Water for longer periods of time, less frequently and in the early morning hours. Take rainfall into consideration.

null

FERTILIZATION

For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the summer season by applying the Lawnifi Summer Box liquid fertilizer program.

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WEED CONTROL

DO NOT use herbicides at this time.

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INSECT CONTROL

Check for and control white grubs in July and August. Treat with an insecticide if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. August is the best time to control grubs because they are small and feeding near the soil surface.

null

FUNGUS CONTROL

Fescue is highly susceptible to brown (large) patch disease, which appears as irregularly shaped patches of dead or dying turf. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer when the disease is active, keep the mowing height above three inches and water between 2:00–8:00AM. Apply fungicide during severe brown patch outbreaks. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.

Summer Products

Lawnifi Summer Box

Lawnifi Summer Fertilizer Box

$49.99

Spectracide Fungus Insect Control Hose End

Spectracide Immunox Fungus + Insect Control

$19.95

Spectracide Triazicide

Spectracide Triazicide

$16.95

Heritage G 30 lb

Heritage G Granular Fungicide

$39.95–$84.95

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FALL
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MOWING

During the fall mowing will occur less often—keeping your bluegrass lightly higher will encourage deeper root growth for the winter.
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WATERING

Water less as temperatures drop—too much water will lead to disease.
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FERTILIZATION

For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Fall Box liquid fertilizer program.
null

WEED CONTROL

If you haven’t had past problems with winter weeds, you can forgo herbicide in the fall. If you do get winter weeds, apply a pre-emergent herbicide for prevention.
null

FUNGUS/INSECT

Apply fungicide. This will help the grass enter colder months in healthier condition. If you have had fungus before, you may need multiple applications in affected areas.

Fall Products

Lawnifi Fall Box

Lawnifi Fall Fertilizer Box

$49.99

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Heritage G Fungicide

$39.95 – $84.95

Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns + Crabgrass Killer

Spectracide Weed Stop

$16.95

Spectracide Fungus Insect Control Hose End

Spectracide Fungus + Insect Control

$19.95

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SPRING
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MOWING

Mow your fescue at the desired height; anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 inches tall.
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WATERING

Don’t overwater. Fescue needs about one inch of water a week considering rainfall.
null

FERTILIZATION

For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Spring Box liquid fertilizer program.
null

WEED CONTROL

Apply pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds in the summer like crabgrass, goose grass and foxtail.
null

FUNGUS/INSECT

Apply fungicide if needed. If you have had a fungus or disease in your fescue in the past or have quite a bit of shade in the yard, apply a systemic fungicide to prevent future outbreaks. Check for and control white grubs in April and May.

Spring Products

Lawnifi Advanced Fertilizer Technology Box

Lawnifi Spring Fertilizer Box

$49.99

Imidacloprid .5G

Imidacloprid .5G Insecticide

$57.95

Heritage G 30 lb

Heritage G Fungicide

$39.95–84.95

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Prodiamine 65 WDG - 5lb

$66.95

Fescue Maintenance Tips

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SOIL MANAGEMENT

  • Soil test every two years.
  • Amend soil to maintain pH between 6.0 and 7.0
  • Know your soil type!

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MOWING

  • Sharpen blades every spring.
  • Keep mowed between 2.5 to 3.5 inches.
  • Don’t cut off more than 1/3 the blade.

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IRRIGATION

  • Don’t overwater.
  • Water less in cooler fall months.
  • About 1 inch a week total irrigation spring & summer.
  • Water deeply, frequently, and in early AM.

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WEED CONTROL

  • Pre-emergents prevent weeds from germinating.
  • Post-emergents kill weeds after they germinate.
  • A thick, lush lawn is the best deterrent to weeds.

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DISEASE CONTROL

  • Overly wet grass + shade = fungus problems.
  • Apply systemic fungicide to prevent fungus outbreaks.
  • Use multiple fungicide applications to treat affected areas.

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INSECT CONTROL

  • Use a broad spectrum insecticide that controls chinch bugs
  • For a once-a-year treatment, July & August are good months
  • If using a granular insecticide, water in after applicatiom
  • Look for insect damage on grass blades and/ or roots

A WORD OF CAUTION FOR NEWLY SODDED LAWNS

A pre-emergent contains a chemical that prevents a weed from putting down roots. Because it is a root inhibitor, it can also negatively affect your new lawn, which is trying to establish itself by putting down roots.

If you successfully killed and removed your old lawn, including all the weeds in it, your newly sodded lawn should have relatively few weeds. It is suggested that you hand pick weeds out of your newly sodded lawn for the first season.

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