Turf Type Tall Fescue vs. Kentucky Tall Fescue

What is a “Tall Fescue”? Tall fescue is a cool season grass widely used as pasture grass. One of the oldest varieties of tall fescue was found in 1931 on a farm in Kentucky where it had been grown for 50 years. Fast growing and drought tolerant Kentucky tall fescue performs well as a forage grass however; coarse blades and heavy clumping will result in a very poor quality turf lawn.

What is a “Turf-Type” tall fescue? In the 1970’s, tall fescues were being developed specifically for turf grasses.  Advances in breeding science lead to improved "turf-type" tall fescues retaining good color during winter months providing a year-round green lawn. These new turf-type tall fescues had finer leaf texture, greener in color, superior disease resistance and denser habit than the old pasture type Kentucky tall fescue.

130 years ago Kentucky tall fescue was state of the art, as was the Bell Telephone. Today we have over 80 years of genetic research and technology to advance the tall fescues into a whole new next generation. Improved turf-type tall fescues of today are the Smart Phones of grass seed, state of the art and continuing to upgrade. Todays improved turf-type fescues are so much more advanced for performance, why not use state of the art grass seed in your lawn?

Get a return on your investment. Uncle taught us, “You always get what you pay for.” The lower cost and the ready supply of Kentucky tall fescue can coax unaware homeowners to use it in their lawns. Expect a higher price per pound for turf-type tall fescues over Kentucky tall fescue, and you can also expect a return on your investment far greater than the difference of a few pennies. Improved turf-type fescues will be slower growing that mean less mowing. The dense growth habit means fewer weeds. Darker color means less fertilizer to keep that deep green. Improved disease resistance mean less fungicides. Drought tolerance means a lower water bill. Less mowing, less fertilizer, less weeds, less fungicides, less water; that's a pretty good return.

Grass Pad is all about grass. The Mid-West’s largest distributor of turf-type fescues, bluegrass and perennial sports turf rye is right in your own back yard. If you need to buy an electric drill, don't go to the Grass Pad, but if you need high performance grass seed then come on down to the Grass Pad. Taking pride in their grass seed and proud in their service, the knowledgeable staff at every Grass Pad can help you with all your lawn questions. Every Grass Pad seed variety is University tested for performance and laboratory tested for purity. If you need one pound or 10,000 lbs come to the Grass Pad. Discover the newest and best performing grass seed available for the mid-west. If you have a lawn service maintaining your yard, tell them to use only Grass Pad seed and don’t be afraid to ask to see the seed tag from the bag and NEVER let them use Kentucky tall fescue in your lawn.

Buyers Beware 
Grassy weeds will be hiding in Kentucky tall fescue. Much of the Kentucky tall fescue today is grown in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. These are all areas where perennial orchard grass is widespread. Orchardgrass is even more coarse bladed and faster growing than Kentucky tall fescue. Unfortunately, orchard grass is not considered a “weed” and can be listed under “other seed” on the seed inspection tag required by law on all lawn seed bags. Even the smallest of percentage of “weeds” or “other seed” can turn your lawn into a weedy pasture. Always read the seed analysis tag. If you don’t know how to read the tag, ask a salesperson and if they don’t know how to read it, you’re not at the Grass Pad, so leave quickly!