A Time and Place for Tall Fescue By SAM BAUER Extension Turfgrass Educator University of Minnesota
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a cool-season turffor high quality turfgrass use in Minnesota. Advantages grass species that can be grown throughout many areas of that tall fescue can offer over other common species used the country. Transition zone states, such as Kansas, in Minnesota, include: heat and drought tolerance, adaptaMissouri, and Tennessee, utilize tall fescue in many settion to sun or shade, deep root system, good traffic tolertings because of the species improved tolerance to heat. ance, low input potential, and an ability to grow on a wide However, tall fescue range of soil types. use in Minnesota has Winter hardiness “We recommend spring seeding of tall fescue, issues with tall fescue been limited due relate to two particular issues with winter while avoiding establishment in low laying situations: hardiness and a lack areas that are prone to winter ice cover.” of public acceptance 1) Extended periods of the landmark variof ice cover, and eties ‘Alta’ and ‘Kentucky-31’. 2) Immature establishment prior to winter. For these Genetic improvement of tall fescue as a turfgrass species reasons, we recommend spring seeding of tall fescue, while began with the release of ‘Rebel’ turf-type tall fescue from avoiding establishment in low laying areas that are prone to winter ice cover. Rutgers University in the early 1970s. As compared to the A tall fescue breeding program, under the direction of early varieties, ‘Rebel’ exhibited a darker green color, highDr. Eric Watkins, is currently underway at the University er density, and the ability to tolerate lower mowing of Minnesota. The basis of this breeding program is the heights. Since the introduction of ‘Rebel’, there have been genetic improvement of tall fescue to overcome these winnumerous tall fescue turf-type varieties released to the market, and we have identified the potential of tall fescue ter hardiness issues.
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