Fescue Lawn Very Patchy

MaryMcP – posted 22 April 2005 06:32

I live in Phoenix. This winter has brought lots of rain which has greened up the yard but there are some large patches of just dirt. What’s the best way to get the fescue to spread and cover those patches? The soil is mostly caliche clay.

Thanks for any suggestions.Mary

tommy – posted 22 April 2005 09:21

You will have to re-seed the spots because most Tall fescue doesn’t spread,(there has recently been one developed that does spread, but its not widely available yet). You can make the job easier by using a “grass patch” type product -which has the seed, mulch, and fertilizer mixed together. (make sure the seed in the grass patch is similar to whats in your yard). Just cover the bare spot with it, and keep it wet. You gotta hurry though- because it will soon be too hot for starting fescue!

ted – posted 22 April 2005 09:26

i’ve seen fescue in vegas. a little hot in my opinion.

Cary, NC – posted 25 April 2005 17:47

Fescue in Phoenix??? You’ve got to be kidding me!!! Summers are WAY too HOT and too LONG for Fescue to grow properly.

You should only be using warm season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia.

Fescue might grow in your area for limited time while temperaturs are cool, but once summer arrives, the heat is on!!

From experience, here in Central North Carolina, Fescue almost always struggles to stay green during our somewhat mild summers.

MaryMcP – posted 26 April 2005 04:51

Well Cary you may be right about Phx being too hot for fescue. But I bought the house, it’s a third of an acre and the grass was already here. I’m not in a position, financially, to redo the lawn. Being dealt the hand, I’m just playing it. But thanks for your thoughts. I’ve visited Cary several times, nice place – if you don’t get caught in a winter ice storm.