You don’t want your lawn to weaken with the first frost of the winter, right?
That’s why you want to use the best fescue grass seed.
This grass is an all-season alternative ready to withstand even the harshest temperatures (especially in cold ones).
It looks dense in winter and brightens up the yard in the summer. You won’t have to follow complicated maintenance guidelines, and because it is a super-sturdy grass, it could work with other species to strengthen the lawn.
It doesn’t matter the angle you’re looking at it. Fescue grass seed is an excellent choice for your yard.
There are tons of different options to consider, though. We’ll show you all about them below!
7 Best Fescue Grass Seeds Reviews in 2021
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix | • Product Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 5.5 inches • Item Weight: 16.32 pounds | |
 | Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed | • Product Dimensions: 3.75 x 16.5 x 26.5 inches • Item Weight: 25 pounds | |
 | GreenView Turf Type Sun & Shade Tall Fescue Seed Blend | • Product Dimensions: 30 x 17 x 4.25 inches • Item Weight: 20 pounds | |
 | The Dirty Gardener Creeping Red Fescue Grass Seed | • Item Weight: 50 pounds • Brand: The Dirty Gardener | |
 | SeedRanch Titan Rx (Ultra) Tall Fescue Grass Seeds | • Heat Tolerant • Disease Resistant | |
 | DLF Premium Oregon Grown Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed | • Product Dimensions: 5 x 17 x 9 inches • Item Weight: 5.06 pounds | |
 | RTF WaterSaver Lawn Seed Mixture with Turf-Type Tall Fescue | • Product Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 4.5 inches • Item Weight: 10 pounds |
1. Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix
- Grow grass up to 2X times faster than seed alone with Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Tall Fescue Mix (when applied at the new lawn rate, subject to proper care)
- Revolutionary mix of seed and fertilizer results in full, green grass in just weeks
You won’t find a brand with the prestige and quality standards Scotts has.
And coming from the Turf Builder series, you can expect this fescue mix to build your lawn FAST.
The blend is a unique proprietary option from Scotts, made to reduce the amount it takes to grow fescue by half.
It is a typical tall fescue grass that grows as lushly as you can imagine. Your lawn will look super-bright and tidy in the summer while boasting a healthy semblance in the winter.
Another useful feature is how much space it covers. With the 16-pound bag, you can cover over 5,200 square feet. And when it starts to grow and spread by itself, you’ll cover at least half as much over time.
· It grows quicker than other fescue seeds
· Delivers a vibrant green color
· Requires less fertilization than alternatives
· Efficient seeds cover a lot of ground
· Adding fertilizer could make it grow too fast
2. Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed
- Grows well in full sun to medium-shaded areas
- Durable, low-maintenance grass seed
Among the few brands you should NEVER dismiss, Pennington stands out in almost every factor.
It starts with the Penkoted technology, a proprietary add-on that increases the growth rate and protects against diseases.
You can expect the grass to thrive in almost any situation.
But that’s not all. This is a Kentucky 31 tall fescue. It is one of the quickest-to-grow alternatives, as it takes no more than 14 days to germinate.
And let’s not forget, it’s also gorgeous grass when it thrives. It boasts a light-green tone and ADORES full-sun environments. This increases its brightness, making your lawn look beautiful in every way.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: You get a 25-pound bag that can handle over 6,000 square feet. That’s more than enough to cover your garden and more.
· Grows with sun or without it
· Resists a lot of foot traffic
· Germinates quickly
· Has a light-green color that shines
· Contains 50% of filler materials
3. GreenView Turf Type Sun & Shade Tall Fescue Seed Blend
Need to grow your grass in less than two weeks? Pick the Turf Type fescue blend from GreenView.
This super-quick mix grows in less than 14 days (sometimes as fast as only 7 days), saving you an amount of time no other blend can.
Despite its speed, the grass is still pure and safe. You won’t have to worry about diseases, pests, or weeds. It’s still resistant to foot traffic and doesn’t get damaged with the occasional lawn game or get-together.
More interestingly, you get a 20-pound bag that can cover 5,000 square feet EASILY. For new lawns, you may get a bit less than that – but more beautiful results.
ALSO: The grass produces deep roots at up to 3 feet down.
· Seeds absorb more water than other fescues
· Germinates in as little as 7 days
· Each bag can cover a lot of space
· Well-rooted grass withstands heavy traffic
· Germinates super-slowly in cold areas
4. The Dirty Gardener Creeping Red Fescue Grass Seed
Anyone who prefers a dense lawn will go for the creeping red fescue directly from The Dirty Gardener.
The difference with other seeds in the list is the time it takes. When others grow in a week or two, this one can take up to 22 days.
The reason? Its density is unbeatable, boasting fine grass tips that allow for a richer appearance.
This seed also withstands cold more than others, making it an ideal choice for areas where other grass species and fescue alternatives struggle.
And because it is dense, it still looks fantastic regardless of where it’s planted. The fine tips and the ultra-dense foliage will boost any lawn.
WORTH KNOWING: This creeping red fescue grass may also reach 6 inches high, making it one of the tallest on the list.
· A lot denser than tall fescue
· Grows tall for a bushy appearance
· Withstands almost any environment
· Spreads well for a fescue
· Takes a lot of time to germinate
5. SeedRanch Titan Rx (Ultra) Tall Fescue Grass Seeds
- Grows in BOTH Sun and Shade
- Heat Tolerant
Don’t want to be disappointed by the grass? Go for a traditional tall fescue mix.
The Titan RX Ultra from SeedRanch offers EVERYTHING you could need in a bag of grass seeds plus a bit more.
The first thing you’ll notice is the durability of the grass. In contrast with other types of fescue, this one comes with super-sturdy rhizomes. Your grass will GLOW when the sun hits.
The second thing is the resistance of the foliage. The Titan touch adds up quality foliage that resists everything from cold frosts to drought environments and intense sun rays.
And third, you can grow it either directly under the sun or in the shade. In contrast with other types, this is ultra-versatile.
In a 50-pound bag like this, you can cover at least 10,000 square feet EFFORTLESSLY.
DON’T FORGET: It’s also pest and disease resistant, making it one of the most reliable blends on the whole list.
· Provides excellent pest and disease resistance
· A huge bag covers several lawns at once
· Delivers a dense foliage
· Grows in the shade and in direct sunlight
· Germinates slowly
6. DLF Premium Oregon Grown Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed
- Coated to absorb and retain more moisture
- Kentucky 31 tall Fescue grass seed
Like simplicity? Ignore every other fescue seed bag in the list and get this one.
Directly from DLF, one of the largest seed companies in the world, this fescue bag offers EVERYTHING you could need without the price tag.
The seeds grow decently quick, they’re resistant to typical issues, and more importantly, they deliver a good-looking grass that works as turf or forage with no problem.
Once it starts growing, it will need moderate watering so you can save a few bucks every month. And when it reaches maturity, it will be 4 inches tall and still demand little to no watering.
In contrast with other types, this one prefers partial shade over full sun. While it won’t struggle under the sun, it will thrive in the shade, where others don’t.
To make it unique, you can get a 5-pound bag. Small enough to not be a problem at first and big enough to cover 1,000 square feet at once.
· Can grow up to 4 inches
· Requires little watering
· Takes about two weeks to germinate
· A small bag covers a lot of ground
· Contains a lot of filler material
7. RTF WaterSaver Lawn Seed Mixture with Turf-Type Tall Fescue
- THE ONLY SEED YOU WILL EVER NEED: Water Saver is low maintenance and is self repairing turf. It knits lawn together by quickly filling damaged or open spots. As a result, less watering and mowing is required.
- GROWS GREAT IN SUN OR SHADE: Excellent in the transition climate zone as well as the northern climate zone.
An all-purpose grass from RTF boasts all the significant qualities of the tall fescue grass without drawbacks.
At first, you’ll notice the moisture-retaining enhancement. In contrast with other types, this one needs a lot less maintenance than other options. This includes a lot less mowing and FAR less watering.
Secondly, you’ll notice the durability. Boosted with RTF-patented properties, it can withstand drought for a while. More importantly, it needs no overseeding or weeding to thrive.
And third, you can use it for pretty much any application. This blend offers the whole package from simple turf or forage to repairs and strengthening, thanks to its intense green tone.
That’s why it’s a high-quality blend because it covers your lawn to perfection, giving the beauty and resilience features everyone wants.
NOTE: It comes in 4 different bag sizes, going from 1.5 pounds for small batches up to 25 pounds for complete lawns.
· Cheaper than alternatives
· Comes in various bag sizes
· Demands little watering
· Withstands drought well
· Doesn’t endure extreme heat
Types of Fescue Grass to Consider
Fescue grass is not the only fescue. Some variations could affect its appearance, its growth rate, and even the environment it prefers.
Here’s a bit more about these variations:
Tall Fescue
Also known as the Kentucky 31, tall fescue is the most popular of all fescue grasses. The reason? It gives a rough look to any garden while still growing decently tall.
It resists cold environments and can handle tons of foot traffic. More importantly, it can grow under shade without problems.
Its growth is one of the fastest as well, taking as little as 7 days to start germinating. It can also withstand a few weeks without rain or watering.
Creeping Red Fescue
The densest of all fescue grasses, creeping red stands out for the thin tips but bushy appearance. It is one of the most resistant as well.
This variation often has a deep green tone that looks great under the sun. Having said that, you can also grow it under the shade with no problems.
You will find it a bit slow to grow, as it takes anywhere from 10 to 24 days to germinate.
Hard Fescue
One of the smallest variations, the hard fescue, is a bit thicker than the others. The result? A super-sturdy grass that can withstand not only demanding environments but high foot traffic.
It’s still pretty good-looking, giving a vibrant green that works well anywhere. In fact, this is the go-to grass type for most golf roughs.
Despite its thickness, it is not a slow-growing variation. It can take up to 18 days to start growing.
Chewings Fescue
Probably the finest of all fescues, it gets the name from how the leaves look. These are upright leaves just like tall fescue and grow at almost the same pace and height.
It stands out for its ability to withstand harsh areas without faltering in the slightest. This includes dry seasons and intense sunlight.
Sheep Fescue
If you want to create forage, the sheep fescue won’t be a great choice. This is more of a bunchgrass, creating small bushes with thick leaves.
People use it mainly as a pasture and erosion-control grass. Yet, it can also work as a weed-controlling species.
It grows well in cold environments and can handle shade without problems.
Tall Fescue Grass vs Kentucky Bluegrass
People often confuse them. But they have many differences.
From the way they grow to the way they look and even their environmental requirements. Everything changes from one species of grass to the other.
Here, we explain what these differences are and why tall fescue could be your best choice:
Germination and Growth
Most fescue seeds take anywhere from 7 to 20 days to germinate. A Kentucky bluegrass seed can easily last 18 days or 14 days in the best-case scenario.
Once they reach maturity after a couple of months, fescue grass can get 6 inches in height or a little more. Kentucky Bluegrass, in contrast, goes up to 4 inches as a maximum.
Soil and Fertilizer
Fescue grass seeds can grow on soils with pH levels going from 5.5 up to 8.0. They require about 1 pound of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet. And given the soil is sufficiently rich, it will need fertilization only every couple of months or less.
Kentucky Bluegrass is a bit trickier to grow. It requires slightly alkaline soils between 6 and 7 pH. In most cases, it requires up to 6 pounds of fertilizer for 1,000 square feet. In low-quality soils, Kentucky Bluegrass will need to be fertilized about once a month.
Shade Tolerance
There’s not much difference between these grasses in terms of shade capacity. Both can grow in relatively shaded areas, given they still receive at least 4 hours of sunlight.
Having said that, some variations of fescue grass can thrive with as little as 2 hours of light every day. The Kentucky Bluegrass variation does not, often struggling with less than 6 hours.
Traffic Tolerance
Given fescue grasses have thicker leaves and grow a bit larger, they are often much more resistant to traffic. That’s why you will often find fescue in sports fields, mainly areas where players spend a lot of time.
Kentucky Bluegrass is not so resistant, so it is likely to brown out and disappear.
Weeds and Diseases
Both species are decently durable. But fescue grass is the sturdiest, without a doubt. Given that it has thicker leaves and withstands different environments with no problem, it can also surpass diseases and help prevent weeds.
Kentucky Bluegrass is none of that. It tends to suffer more diseases, doesn’t resist weed growth, and often gets invaded by pests.
Sod and Spread
Which grass produces the best sods and spreads by itself? Kentucky bluegrass gets the crown here, as it produces dense yet auto-spreading sods. They will cover brown areas rapidly, covering an entire lawn within a year or less.
Fescue grass also spreads, but slowly, to the point that it needs reseeding to cover brown areas. As for the sods, they’re bunchy but a bit less dense, so they don’t cover as much space.
How to Plant Tall Fescue Seeds?
While they’re no rocket science, fescue seeds can be a little problematic without the right conditions. Here’s how to make it an effortless growing experience:
1. Start at the Right Season
First and foremost, plant the fescue seeds ONLY in their best growing season. That means spring or fall. There’s no alternative to this.
Why? Because the periods where fescue grows the most is when the temperatures aren’t too cold or too hot. And that means fall and spring.
2. Prepare the Soil
If you’re starting at the right time, then you can proceed to prepare the soil.
Preparing the site is all about removing weeds, turning the soil over, and spreading herbicides in the area.
Once you do the above, you may need to wait a day or two for the soil to accommodate. After that, raking the residues and leveling out the soil will be enough.
3. Plant the Seeds
Seeding is not easy when you haven’t done it before. But it’s still a piece of cake if you follow our steps below:
· Start by looking for a seed spreader, slice seeder, or overseeder. Set up the machine as necessary (pour the seeds in).
· Now you can adjust the equipment, make sure to select the ideal seeding rate for your lawn. Don’t waste your seeds by spreading too many.
· Start spreading the seeds as necessary. Make sure to cover the entire area you’re intending to grow fescue over. Leaving patches without seeding will create patches when the grass grows.
· Finish by sweeping the area with a rake. The seeds should get well-mixed with the soil for the germination to happen faster. You can also use a lawn roller.
4. Water Properly
With the seeds planted, there’s no other path than watering the seeds and letting them germinate.
It’s worth mentioning that watering is at least 90% of the success of fescue grass. Without the proper watering, it will struggle to even sprout.
How much water does this grass need, though? Generally, you need to water every day for a few minutes. Cover the entire area where you planted grass for the best results.
When the summer arrives, you will need to water a bit more. And once the seeds sprout, you will need to water only twice or thrice a week (don’t let it get burned).
5. Let it Grow
There’s nothing more rewarding with fescue grass than letting it grow. Don’t use herbicides or weed killers while it grows.
But at the same time, don’t let people walk over the seeded area or pets to play around as they could cause it to stop growing.
Given the soil is decently fertilized and you’re watering correctly, it may take a couple of months to achieve full size. Keep it safe in the meanwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did you learn a thing or two with the info above? We hope so!
We still decided to bring a few extra questions with their answers to remove any doubt you may have:
What is the best fertilizer for fescue?
Like any other grass out there, fescue demands nitrogen to grow. It is not the hungriest of grasses still, so you can fare with a slow-releasing alternative.
Just remember, fertilizing once every two or three months would be enough with fescue. If you over-fertilize, the grass may grow too fast and become ugly.
Is tall fescue grass suitable for lawns?
Yes. It is not the best given the bunch-style growth and the height it can reach compared to other species. But it’s still one of the best, as it is resistant to different environments, traffic, and drought.
Will fescue grow after frost?
Yes. Fescue resists frosts when it’s fully mature. It may take a few weeks to start regrowing, though. The grass will go dormant.
As a seedling or germinating grass, fescue won’t resist frosts.
Does tall fescue grass spread?
No. While it has a bit of spreading capacity, it is nothing like other grasses. In most cases, you will have to reseed and cover brown patches in the lawn manually.
What is tall fescue grass germination time?
Depending on the variation, fescue grass can take from 7 days up to 21 days.
Conclusion
Your lawn doesn’t have to be fragile or ugly. If you get the best fescue grass seed, you’ll make it an almost perfect yard to be on.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick one of the fescue seeds above and get your lawn glowing right away!