Tall fescue is the most widely grown cool-season grass in North Carolina due to its high heat and drought tolerance. Use this tall fescue maintenance calendar for North Carolina to help you plan your lawn care tasks for the year, from weed control to watering.
Tall fescue in North Carolina
Tall fescue is a popular grass that grows best in the mountain and piedmont regions of North Carolina but can be successfully maintained in the coastal plain in heavier loam soils. (It doesn’t work well in full-sun, sandy areas in the coastal plain.) This cool-season beauty should be at the top of your list if you want a green lawn year-round in the Tar Heel State.
Experts recommend planting tall fescue as a blend of two or three cultivars, which gives it better resistance to diseases and common issues. While tall fescue can be planted alone, it can also be planted as a mix with fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, or a little of all three.
Spring (March through May)
Whether March comes in like a lion or a lamb, spring is no doubt in the air. While the arrival of spring may mean warmer weather is on the way, that also means it’s time to get serious about your lawn care maintenance and preparing it for the summer season ahead.
March
Clean: Before you do any other lawn care maintenance, you will need to rid your lawn of all leaves and branches or any other debris left from winter. After you’ve cleared your yard of debris, it’ll be much easier to see when your grass begins growing again so you know when it’s time to mow.
Control weeds: Early March is the best time to apply preemergence herbicides in the mountain region to help control crabgrass, foxtail, and goosegrass. The piedmont and coastal areas should be treated in February.
Mow: As the weather warms, the grass will once again begin to grow. Always stick with the one-third rule and cut no more than one-third of the grass length at a time. The recommended mowing height for tall fescue grass is 2.5-3.5 inches.
Fertilize: You want to do most of your fertilizing in the fall. But you may need to fertilize in the spring to promote color or help your lawn recover after battling pests or diseases. Aim to apply 1/5 to 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet if you fertilize before March 15. Apply less after this date.
April
Mow: Continue mowing as your grass grows, picking up frequency as your grass picks up its growing pace. Never bag the clippings; instead, leave them on the lawn to decompose and provide a natural fertilizer. Grass clippings can provide up to 25% of the lawn’s fertilizer per year.
Water: Tall fescue does best when it receives about 1 inch of water weekly. However, it’s best to gradually give your grass 1 inch of water throughout the week rather than all at once. Consider watering 0.5 inches every three to four days. This is especially important for clay soils. Water until water begins to pool; then wait till the water has been completely absorbed to continue watering.
Control insects: Keep an eye out for white grubs from April to early May. They are active in the spring; however, they shouldn’t be treated with a curative insecticide at this time. (Curative insecticides have greater efficacy during late summer or fall.)
If you notice high grub activity this spring, a preventative application will need to be applied the following spring or early summer (June) during the adult flight period. Also, be sure to identify the type of white grub. Knowing the type will determine when it’s best to treat them.
May
Mow and water: Continue mowing and watering as needed.
Summer (June through August)
As summer heats up, it may be tempting to put off mowing the lawn in favor of a tall glass of sweet tea by the pool, but now is not the time to ignore your grass. Take care of your grass now to ensure its continued health.
June
Mow: Continue to mow as needed. It’s best not to let tall fescue grow to more than 5 inches, with a taller recommended height of 3.5 inches during the summer months.
Water: Water as needed to minimize stress due to drought. You can also let your grass go dormant, but you will still need to water once every three weeks to keep the grass alive if it hasn’t rained. Continue whichever you choose throughout the rest of the summer.
July
Control diseases: Tall fescue is susceptible to two primary diseases throughout the summer months: brown patch and gray leaf spot. Brown patch can develop from high humidity. Poor drainage and lack of air movement can increase the disease’s severity.
Gray leaf spot is most active late July through October. Managing leaf wetness is one of the most effective ways to minimize the severity of the disease. Consider scheduling irrigation for early in the morning or before sunrise. Don’t irrigate in the late afternoon or evening. Also, prune or remove trees, shrubs, grass clippings, or anything that prevents air movement and sunlight penetration to help prevent gray leaf spot.
August
Soil test: Having your soil tested is essential to knowing what nutrients your lawn lacks so you best know how to fertilize your grass. Reach out to your local Cooperative Extension office for resources and soil testing boxes.
Aerate: Those in the mountain region, aerate your lawn with a core aerator in preparation to overseed your lawn.
Overseed: As fall approaches and the weather begins to cool down, those in the mountain region can begin preparing for the fall and winter seasons. The second half of the month is a good time to aerate and overseed thin or bare parts of your lawn. Be sure not to let the seedlings dry out by watering lightly several times a day. Use 6 pounds of seed for every 1,000 square feet.
Fertilize: Homeowners in the mountain region may also apply fertilizer at this time. Use the results from your soil test or apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Fall (September through November)
Finally, cooler weather may be on the horizon, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. Your lawn still needs care throughout the season as summer winds down and you prepare for winter.
September
Mow: Continue to mow throughout the season as your grass continues to grow. With cooler temperatures on the horizon, consider using a mulching mower to help clean up fallen leaves throughout the fall. If you don’t have a mulching mower, you can never go wrong with a rake.
Water: The same watering guidelines from the spring should also be applied in the fall. Be sure your tall fescue receives about 1 inch of water throughout the week. Don’t forget: If you have clay soil, water until the water pools; then wait until the water has been absorbed before continuing to water.
Aerate: Residents in the piedmont and coastal regions should aerate with a core aerator in preparation to overseed their lawn.
Overseed: People in the piedmont and coastal regions should overseed thin or bare parts of their lawn. Be sure not to let the seedlings dry out by watering lightly several times a day. Use 6 pounds of seed for every 1,000 square feet.
Fertilize: For residents living in the piedmont and coastal plain, apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Consider insecticides: Early fall is the best time to apply insecticides to treat insect issues you are currently experiencing. Curative applications for white grubs can be effective in early fall. Take note of problem areas so you know where to apply preventive insecticides in the spring.
October
Fertilize: For lawns in the mountain region, use the information you gained from your soil test and apply fertilizer accordingly. Otherwise, apply 0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet.
Control weeds: Use broadleaf herbicides to control weeds like chickweed and henbit, among other weeds. But beware, some herbicides can affect newly seeded turf.
November
Mow: Mow to 2.5 to 3 inches. Mowing your grass to a taller height will help prepare your lawn for winter.
Fertilize: For residents living in the piedmont and coastal plain, apply 0.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Winter (December to February)
During the winter, people tend to stay indoors more, but before the cold sets in, don’t forget to clear your lawn of leaves.
December and January
Clean: Rake and dispose of fallen leaves. Leaves left on your lawn through the winter can create a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
Mow: Mow to 3 inches as your grass grows.
Water: Continue to follow the same watering guidelines.
February
Control weeds: If you live in the piedmont and coastal regions, apply preemergence herbicides before March.
Fertilize: Use 0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet for lawns in the piedmont and coastal plain.
More North Carolina resources
If you have a mix of grass types or if your lawn is primarily a different type of grass, check out one of our guides for tips on taking care of other common North Carolina grasses:
- Zoysiagrass Maintenance Schedule for North Carolina
- Bermudagrass Lawn Care Calendar for North Carolina
- Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn Care Calendar for North Carolina
Call a professional
If you want that perfect lawn but find keeping up with your lawn care maintenance a bit daunting throughout the year, contact a professional lawn care service. Let the experts do all the heavy lifting so you can sit back and enjoy a large sweet tea in your outdoor oasis.
Main Image Credit: hegearl | Adobe Stock Free | License
