TALL FESCUE

PROFESSIONAL TURF
MANAGEMENT


MOWING

One of the principle keys to maintaining a healthy fescue lawn is proper mowing. Due to the high humidity and temperatures in the transition zone, it is mandatory that a fescue lawn be mowed no closer than 3 ½ inches during the summer months. If you desire the lawn may be mowed as close as 2 inches during the fall and winter.

WATERING

Your lawn requires 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week during the growing season. Irrigation of the lawn should be performed in the early hours of the morning just before daylight. This practice will avoid any rapid evaporation of water before it reaches the lawn; yet allow the leaf tissue to dry quickly after the sun rises. Do not water your lawn every morning for short intervals. This process will only encourage shallow root growth. Instead, water your lawn for long periods two to three times a week.

AERATION

Aeration has two purposes. The first is to simply loosen the soil. The second is to prune the roots. Core aeration is the recommended method and should be performed every 2 years on a typical home lawn during the growing season. If your lawn receives heavy foot traffic, it would be advisable to aerate every year. Aeration should be performed during the growing season of the turf.

CHEMICALS / FERTILIZATION

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The most important part of managing a Fescue lawn is providing fertilizer and preventing disease, insects and weeds. The premium program to the right will provide all the essential elements that your lawn requires in a season to grow healthy.
For spreader settings or any other fertilizer information please contact your local outlet or go to lebsea.com.

SEED & TIPS

In recent years, there have been many advancements in tall fescue seed. There are many varieties in the market today which will produce a beautiful, lush green lawn. Carolina Fresh Farms has developed three new seed blends; Carolina Fresh Supreme, Carolina Fresh Quick Start and Carolina Blue II.
Carolina Fresh Supreme blend is an outstanding performer of three or four varieties of turf-type tall fescue. This blend is still our #1 seller for the Upstate and Charlotte markets and suited for most all lawns within these growing areas.

Carolina Fresh Quick Start was designed to offer a quick stand of grass without sacrificing the quality of the established lawn. This blend consists 80% of two varieties of turf-type tall fescue and 20% annual ryegrass. It is not sugeested to use this product on established lawns. Quick Start is best suited for those who desire quick establishment on bare soils and especially on non-irrigated sites.
Carolina Fresh Blue II was designed to provide exceptional color and density. Blue II contains 70% turf-type tall fescue of two varieties and 30% Kentucky bluegrass of two varieties. Bluegrass has seen amazing advancements in recent years and offers excellent drought recovery and a deep green color during the cooler months of late winter.

Choosing the proper seed for your lawn is essential and plays a key role in the success of your new lawn. If you need further help, please contact one of our knowledgeable staff members.

PREMIUM PROGRAM

Sept. 15th - Sept. 30th
Carolina Fresh Supreme Blend
(6# per 1,000 sq. ft.)
16-25-12 w/ Micros 1% Fe
(4# per 1,000 sq. ft.)
Provides phosphorus to promote quick rooting.

Oct. 30th - Nov. 7th
25-0-12 IBDU 1% Fe
(4# per 1,000 sq. ft.)
Provides nitrogen to mature the lawn.

Dec. 15th - Dec.31st
25-0-12 IBDU 1% Fe
(4# per 1,000 sq. ft.)

Mar. 1st - Mar. 15th
16-4-8 .38% Barricade
(5# per 1,000 sq. ft.)
Prevents summer weeds such as crabgrass.

May 1st - May 15th
19-0-6 Confront 3 / Dimension
(5# per 1,000 sq. ft.)

May 15th
Merit 0.3G (Grub control)
(3# per 1,000 sq. ft.)

June 1st - June 21st
8-4-24 .38% Eagle
(4# per 1,000 sq. ft.)
Prevents brown patch disease.

June 21st - July 7th
Perk Stress Relief
(4# per 1,000 sq. ft.)
8-4-24 .38% Eagle
(4# per 1,000 sq. ft.)

SOIL

A practical understanding of your soil is essential in managing your lawn. Soil pH is perhaps the most crucial element. Most turf grasses perform best when the soil pH falls between 6.3 and 7.0. We recommend that a soil test be performed annually to check the pH values as well as other nutrient levels within the soil profile. Any Carolina Fresh Farms Turf Center will be happy to send your soil samples to a soil testing laboratory.

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

0-0-15 Confront 3 Mini Granular
Used at anytime for broadleaf weed control, excellent to spot treat individual weeds in lawn

8-4-24 .38% Eagle
Systemic fungicide used to cure or prevent many diseases in turf, especially useful for control of brown patch, dollar spot and spring dead spot.

Perk Stress Relief
Used at any time during the growing season when deep green color is desired without unnecessary top growth.

Talstar SOP .073%
Insecticide with many uses, controls chinch bugs, fall armyworms, fire ants and many other insects

PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDES

Pre-emergent herbicides are essential in providing a weed free lawn. Barricade and Team Pro are two such chemicals. Of these two products, Barricade is the better product, offering an extended period of control when compared to Team Pro.

Never apply these products to a lawn, which is not well established!