Just seeded K-31 fescue

[jstutz]

Against most peoples advice, I have just spent the last few days tilling and seeding Kentucky 31 fescue. I have tried severl times to grow a decent TTTF such as Lescos Transition Blend. It does great until June then starts falling apart. After this year I have crabgrass and dirt(if you could call it that).I have two boys and we are fairly hard on our lawn. Im not looking for a picture quality lawn. I just want something green that i dont have to fuss with.

Anyone actually like there K-31 lawn. I think of all the reading i have done, I seen two people that like there K31 lawn. Most hate the wide blades and medium green color. I actually like the thick heavy duty type grass.

I think if i can keep the clumping down, i will actually like it. Even if its not perfect, it will be better than the dirt and crab grass i have now.

 

[spasm3]

I like it. I have tried other grasses drought resistant ext. The k31 will go dormant in the heat. Mow it high and it is very wear resistant. The wider blades shade the ground until it goes dormant in july.

 

[Astro14]

Mow it high, lots of water (if you can)...it held up well in VB in a previous house. Current house has too much salt and sand for anything but St. Augustine (which I hate)...

 

[Drew99GT]

I have no clue what K-31 fescue is, but generic fescue is the only grass I've had success with in the arid climate out west. It keeps coming back every year after a heavy overseed 2 years ago. Like Astro and Spasm said, if you can manage, keep your mower at it's highest setting, especially in the heat of summer. Might want to get a soil test done as well. That helped me more then anything. I found out my soil is ludicrously alkaline and needed mass quantities of organic matter to bring the PH down.

According to this website, soils in NC are more on the acidic side. From what I've read, areas with higher humidity and more rainfall tend to have more acidic soil and need lime to bring the PH to a more neutral level.

http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/about/century/soilacidity.html

 

[jstutz]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I have no clue what K-31 fescue is, but generic fescue is the only grass I've had success with in the arid climate out west. It keeps coming back every year after a heavy overseed 2 years ago. Like Astro and Spasm said, if you can manage, keep your mower at it's highest setting, especially in the heat of summer. Might want to get a soil test done as well. That helped me more then anything. I found out my soil is ludicrously alkaline and needed mass quantities of organic matter to bring the PH down.

According to this website, soils in NC are more on the acidic side. From what I've read, areas with higher humidity and more rainfall tend to have more acidic soil and need lime to bring the PH to a more neutral level.

http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/about/century/soilacidity.html


K-31 is Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue. It is different than the Turf Type Tall Fescues sold just about everywhere. It is lighter green and has a wider blade of grass than the TTTF's. I believe it also has a tenancy to clump up a little more under distress. I generally put down lime every year but have not yet had a soil test done. I need to do that. I plan to mow high in the summer. About 4 inchs. I dont want to go too high because our hot humid nights promote disease and the grass will not be able to dry out.

 

[Blaze]

K-31 is probably the toughest lawn (drought) around....the reason is a fungus within the plant...this fungus is the reason you dont want to use it in livestock pastures (horses) mainly pregnet mares it effects. Great for lawns not so good for pastures.

 

[jstutz]

So I guess the question is: Does anyone have a lawn with K31 and actually like it. Does it clump a lot worse than other tall fescues. Most forums are a little misleading because most are talking about wanting a show lawn. I just want something tough that stays green without a major irrigation system.

 

[Blaze]

I dont think you will find anything that is tougher and more drought resistant than K-31. I lived in Tennessee and everything else was brown except the areas in K-31 (pastures). I stands up well to traffic (farm animals) and over grazing.