Fine
Fescue will thrive on a regular a
fertilizing schedule. Many schedules call for three to four
applications a year, an early Fall, late Fall, and mid Spring
application are typically the best. Some schedules call for a summer application. My preference
is to avoid summer applications for the cool weather
grasses as there is a greater chance of fertilizer burn. Fine
Fescue requires 3-5 Pounds of Nitrogen per year in your applications.
Another area to be careful of is to
make sure that the Spring application is not too heavy
as excess nitrogen will promote excessive shoot growth and potentially
rob the lawn of more important root growth. To accomplish this you may want
to apply fertilizer at the rate 1.5# per 1000Sq
ft in September, 1.5# per 1000 Sq ft
again in October and .5
to 1 # per 1000 Sq Ft in mid spring.
The use of a slow release fertilizer is preferable. Most any
of the commercially available fertilizers will work well on
your Fescue Lawn. It is important to make sure it is a
"balanced" fertilizer for lawns such as a 27-4-6 or 20-5-15 as
examples and that you take into account the amount of nitrogen
required by your grass type. Read more on calculating
precise application rates based on your lawns
requirements here.
There
are varieties of fertilizer that include pre-emergent’s or
week killer. My inclination is not to use these unless I know
there is a specific problem for my lawn and even then, I
prefer to spot treat the problem if at all possible.
Pre-emergent’s do work well but it is not advisable to use
them if you plan on seeding a new lawn or over seeding any
sections.
Lime is recommended
for Fine Fescue lawns, both when starting a new lawn
and as part of a maintenance schedule. The best time to lawn
is when you have aerated as it gives the lime (as well as
fertilizer) a chance to work it’s way into the soil. The
recommended rate of lime is 25# per 1000 Square feet if twice
a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.
