Plant this low-growing, emerald-green grass in a lower maintenance area or turf lawn. It requires little care and is easy to grow, tolerating shade. Hard Fescue is ideal for creating a naturalized area that your mower can’t reach. (Festuca ovina)
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low
temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will
survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack
of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
Hard Fescue Grass Seed is ideal for low maintenance areas as well as for turf lawns. It is low-growing and has a gorgeous, deep green color to it. It’s easy to grow and tolerates shade. It can be used for erosion control or creating a naturalized area. It does not tolerate or require much mowing or maintenance.
Create a Low-Maintenance Lawn or Add Nutrients to Your Soil with Grass and Groundcover Seeds.
Orchard Grass is a versatile variety that can be planted as a cover crop.
Getting Started: When to Plant
Planting Grass Seed in Fall or Spring: The ideal time to plant grass seed varies by hardiness zone, but is usually in the spring, once temperatures have reached a consistent 60 F and there is no more danger of frost. Grass can be planted through the end of July but no later. If you’re planting in the fall, wait until after there have been a few killing frosts so the seeds you plant will lie dormant until the spring.
Planting as a Cover Crop or Green Manure
If you're planting grasses, legumes or clover to replenish nutrients, suppress weeds or more, we recommend planting in early to mid fall. Let the grass grow until frost. Come spring, mow before it goes to seed and then till the soil. Wait 3-6 weeks before planting new crops.
Which plants are best for cover crops?
Clover, Peas, Vetch and Rye Grass.
Planting Rates: How Much Seed Do I Need?
Planting rates vary depending on the size of the seed. A larger seed (such as a Fescue) can be seeded at 10lbs/1,000 square feet. A smaller seed (such as a Bluegrass) can be seeded as low as 2lbs/1,000 square feet. To see planting rates for each individual variety, please view the chart on the back page of this guide.
If you’re still unsure of how much seed to use in your area, please give us a call at (877) 309-7333.
Preparing the Area for Planting
We recommend leveling the planting area as much as possible to eliminate high or low spots. Till the soil if possible about 4-6 inches deep, as the soil should be loose and clump free before planting. If your area is already somewhat bare and even, we recommend skipping the tilling process as it can promote new weed growth or unwanted grass growth. You can then add a product to help aerate your soil to improve seed germination, but this is not necessary.
Step-By-Step Planting Instructions
Medium Red Clover helps add nutrients to soil.
After your soil is prepared, apply the seed at the recommended rate. See the
back of the this guide for seeding rates. To make sure you're spreading the seed evenly, scatter 1/2 of the seed walking north to south and 1/2 of the seed walking east to west.
If you have poor soil, you could lightly apply an organic fertilizer after seeding, although this is not a necessary step for strong growth.
Many choose to cover their grass seed after planting, even though this is not necessary. If you do choose to cover your seed to help retain moisture and hold the seed in place, we recommend a maximum depth of 1/4”. You can cover the seed with topsoil, sterilized straw, or peat moss. Coated seeds such as Bermuda and Clover seeds should not be covered more than an 1/8” deep.
Water gently and regularly, keeping the seeds moist until they begin to sprout. This could mean watering more than once a day if you’re having a dry spell. Once the seeds sprout, water deeply and less frequently. This helps to ensure a deep rooted, healthy lawn or meadow.
Do not mow until your lawn is at the recommended height. This information can be found on our website at the specific product page. For most grasses, this is about
3-6 weeks after planting, but could be longer depending on growing conditions. Remember to be gentle when mowing the first few times — the seedlings will be somewhat tender.
After mowing several times, you can apply an organic fertilizer to promote strong growth, but this is not a necessary step.
It may take weeks or even a month for the seeds to grow. Be patient. If you have any questions about germination time or planting, please don’t hesitate to call us at (877) 309-7333.
As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Depending upon your order date, we may hold your shipment to combine it with other products on your order, if applicable. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (877) 309-7333 or contact us by email.
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If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. If you have any questions, please call us at (877) 309-7333.
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