Fescue, whether tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) or fine fescue (Festuca rubra), is a hardy, cool-season grass prized in some lawns but a frustrating invader in others. When fescue clumps or spreads into a lawn where it doesn’t belong—like a warm-season Bermuda or zoysia lawn—it creates uneven textures, patchy colors, and maintenance headaches. Mastering how to get rid of fescue in lawn is key for homeowners seeking a uniform, healthy turf that matches their desired grass type. Fescue’s deep roots and clumping growth make it tough to eliminate, but with the right strategies, you can remove it and prevent its return. This guide covers identifying fescue, understanding why it thrives, exploring removal methods, and implementing prevention tips for a pristine lawn. Whether you prefer natural ways to get rid of fescue or chemical solutions, we’ve got actionable steps for effective lawn weed control for fescue.
What is Fescue?
Fescue refers to a group of cool-season grasses in the Festuca genus, commonly used in lawns, pastures, and sports fields. Tall fescue and fine fescue are the most common types found in lawns. While valued for their drought tolerance and shade adaptability, fescue becomes problematic when it invades lawns designed for warm-season grasses or when clumping varieties disrupt a smooth turf. Fescue spreads via seeds and, in some cases, rhizomes, making it a persistent challenge.
Key Characteristics:
- Leaves: Tall fescue has wide, coarse blades (3–6 mm); fine fescue has narrow, needle-like blades (1–2 mm).
- Growth Habit: Tall fescue grows in dense clumps, while fine fescue forms spreading mats. Both contrast with uniform grasses like Bermuda or St. Augustine.
- Color: Dark green, often clashing with lighter warm-season grasses.
- Root System: Deep, fibrous roots (up to 12 inches for tall fescue) make removal difficult.
Fescue is desirable in cool climates but becomes an invasive “weed” in lawns where a different grass type is preferred.
How to Identify Fescue in Lawn
Identifying fescue in your lawn is crucial to ensure you’re targeting the right plant, especially since it’s a grass, not a broadleaf weed. Here’s how to spot fescue:
- Leaves: Tall fescue has broad, coarse blades with prominent veins; fine fescue has thin, delicate blades. Both differ from the finer texture of Bermuda or thicker blades of St. Augustine.
- Growth Pattern: Tall fescue forms noticeable clumps, creating uneven patches. Fine fescue spreads in patches or thin mats, often in shady areas.
- Color and Texture: Fescue’s dark green color and coarse texture stand out against lighter or smoother grasses like zoysia or centipede.
- Seasonal Growth: Thrives in spring and fall, remaining green when warm-season grasses go dormant, making it easier to spot in winter or early spring.
Pro Tip: Check shady or transitional areas of your lawn, where fescue often establishes. If you’re unsure, compare your lawn to photos of tall or fine fescue online or consult a local extension service.
Causes of Fescue Growth in Lawns
Fescue invades lawns due to conditions that favor its growth over your desired grass type. Understanding these causes helps you tackle the problem:
- Cool-Season Advantage: Fescue thrives in cooler temperatures (60–75°F), outcompeting warm-season grasses in spring and fall.
- Seed Dispersal: Wind, birds, or contaminated grass seed mixes introduce fescue to lawns.
- Shady Areas: Fescue’s shade tolerance allows it to dominate in areas where other grasses struggle.
- Poor Lawn Maintenance: Thin or weak grass from infrequent mowing, low fertility, or drought creates openings for fescue.
- Soil Compaction: Compacted soils favor fescue’s deep roots over shallow-rooted grasses like centipede.
Addressing these factors is key to effective lawn maintenance after fescue treatment and preventing regrowth.
How to Get Rid of Fescue in Lawn
Removing fescue from a lawn is challenging because it’s a grass, not a broadleaf weed, so selective herbicides are less effective. Below are three methods—manual removal, organic solutions, and chemical herbicides—to suit preferences for natural ways to get rid of fescue or chemical control.
Manual Removal
Physically removing fescue is labor-intensive but eco-friendly, ideal for small clumps or those seeking organic methods to remove fescue.
- Tools Needed: Shovel, garden fork, or sod cutter for larger areas.
- Steps:
- Water the area to soften soil, easing root removal.
- Dig around fescue clumps, ensuring you extract the deep root system (6–12 inches for tall fescue).
- Remove all plant material to prevent regrowth, and dispose in a sealed bag.
- Fill bare spots with soil and reseed with your desired grass type.
- Pros: No chemicals, precise targeting, environmentally safe.
- Cons: Time-consuming; missed roots lead to regrowth.
Tip: Remove fescue in early spring before it sets seed, and monitor for new clumps regularly.
Organic Solutions
Organic methods are limited for fescue since it’s a grass, but these approaches can weaken or suppress it:
- Smothering: Cover fescue patches with black plastic, cardboard, or heavy mulch for 6–8 weeks to block sunlight and kill the grass. Follow with reseeding.
- Solarization: In summer, cover fescue with clear plastic for 4–6 weeks to trap heat and kill the grass. Best for small areas in hot climates.
- Vinegar Spray: Horticultural vinegar (20% acetic acid) with dish soap can burn fescue foliage, but it’s less effective on deep roots and may require multiple applications.
- Overseeding: Plant dense, competitive grass (e.g., Bermuda or zoysia) to outcompete fescue over time, paired with proper fertilization.
Pros: Safe for the environment, supports organic methods to remove fescue.
Cons: Slow results, less effective for large infestations or deep-rooted tall fescue.
Chemical Herbicides
Chemical control is often the most effective way to eliminate fescue, especially in lawns with a different grass type. Here’s how to choose the best herbicide for fescue:
- Selective Herbicides: For warm-season lawns (e.g., Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine), use selective herbicides like sethoxydim or fluazifop (e.g., Grass-B-Gon, Fusilade II) to target grassy weeds like fescue without harming your lawn grass. Apply in spring when fescue is actively growing.
- Non-Selective Herbicides: Glyphosate (e.g., Roundup) kills fescue and all other plants, so use it for spot treatments or total lawn renovation. Wait 7–14 days before reseeding.
- Application Tips:
- Use a pump sprayer for precise application.
- Apply on a calm, dry day with temperatures between 60–80°F.
- Repeat applications (per label instructions) may be needed for complete kill.
- Pros: Fast, effective for large areas or stubborn fescue.
- Cons: Risk of harming desirable grass if misapplied; follow label carefully.
Best Time of Year to Remove Fescue
Timing is critical for fescue control. The best seasons are:
- Early Spring: Fescue is actively growing, making it susceptible to herbicides like sethoxydim or manual removal. Treat before seed heads form.
- Fall: Another good window, as fescue grows vigorously while warm-season grasses slow down, allowing targeted treatments.
- Avoid Summer/Winter: In summer, heat-stressed fescue responds poorly to herbicides. In winter, dormancy reduces treatment efficacy.
Pro Tip: Check weather forecasts and apply treatments on mild, dry days for best results. Regular lawn maintenance after fescue treatment prevents reinvasion.
Prevention Tips to Avoid Fescue Regrowth
Once fescue is removed, prevent its return with these strategies for controlling fescue in lawn naturally:
- Mow High: Set your mower to 3–4 inches for warm-season grasses to shade out fescue seedlings and promote dense turf.
- Fertilize Properly: Use a fertilizer suited to your lawn type (e.g., 15-0-15 NPK for Bermuda) to strengthen grass and reduce fescue’s advantage.
- Aerate Annually: Core aeration relieves soil compaction, benefiting your desired grass while discouraging fescue.
- Water Consistently: Provide 1–1.5 inches of water weekly, avoiding overwatering that favors fescue in cool seasons.
- Overseed Aggressively: Plant dense, competitive grass varieties (e.g., zoysia, Bermuda) to fill gaps and outcompete fescue.
- Use Clean Seed: Avoid grass seed mixes containing fescue, and clean mowers to prevent seed spread.
Conclusion
Learning how to get rid of fescue in lawn empowers you to achieve a uniform, healthy turf that matches your vision. Whether you choose manual removal, organic methods to remove fescue like smothering, or the best herbicide for fescue like sethoxydim, a targeted approach ensures success. Pair removal with prevention—proper mowing, fertilization, and overseeding—to keep fescue from returning. Start today to restore your lawn’s beauty and enjoy a fescue-free yard year-round!