If you live in USDA hardiness zones between 5 and 7, there might not be a better choice for your lawn than fescue grass. This cool-season lawn tolerates high and low temperatures and does well even in drought conditions. Compared to other types of grass, fescue doesn’t require as much attention. Of course, you still have to mow it once a week and give it regular water, but besides that (and some fertilizing once per year), this lawn won’t be as much of a headache. But will fescue choke out weeds? Or what can you do to prevent or limit damages to your lawn?
If you want to find an answer to these questions, you are in the right place. Indeed, we know how frustrating weeds can be. And in this essential guide, we include everything we think you must know if trying to avoid headaches and maintain your grass healthy.
Dealing with weeds that might, in the long run, overtake your garden is one of the worst things about growing a lawn.
It might sound hard to believe, but most weeds will attack your lawn seeds if they find enough bare soil. Weeds, like other plants, need moisture, sun, and nutrients to grow. If there are some bare patches in your yard they can attack, they will do it. And keeping weeds at bay is (more often than not) easier said than done. You might have a more challenging time if you live in a warm region (or during the summer): weeds tend to grow and sprout when temperatures are high.
Will Fescue Choke Out Weeds?
Fescues are hardy and resistant to most conditions. After all, they have deep root systems that allow them to suck nutrients and moisture even in the most challenging situations. Still, they have different spreading patterns compared to other types of grasses. While the fact that they grow in a bunch pattern might be helpful to control your lawn and keep it from overtaking flower beds, it also makes it more challenging for this type of lawn to choke weeds.
Most grasses spread horizontally and vertically through their stems. But fescue has different takes more time to reach other parts of the garden. So, you might have a difficult time trying to recover your lawn after damage. The same applies to dealing with weeds. In general, fescue won’t be able to choke them naturally. It is best to take preventive action and use pre-emergence control products to avoid irreversible damage to your lawn.
Ensure you always follow the instructions you find on the labels of what you purchase and only use them as indicated.
Managing Weeds in Fescue Lawns
Managing weeds can be a time-consuming activity. However, it will be worth it to maintain your lawn looking healthy and bright. Weeds look bad and interrupt your lawn’s uniformity. Plus, they will compete with your fescue grass for nutrients, sunlight, and water. And they will quickly spread once they find an attractive environment to grow in.
Weed control starts with management practices that encourage the growth of dense and healthy turf. Under optimal growing conditions, fescue lawns will shade the soil and limit the amount of sunlight weed seeds might get, stopping them from germinating. Also, thick grass means less space available for weeds to grow.
Ensure you commit to regular watering, mowing, and fertilizing schedule to increase your chances of growing dense turf. Don’t forget to adapt your intervention to different areas of your garden. If you have a lawn in shady parts of your yard, decrease watering frequency. Also, apply a fertilizer richer in phosphors and with less nitrogen content. Keep it taller than the parts of the lawn that get direct light: doing so will maintain it healthy even when it doesn’t get much sunlight.
Indeed, while fescue grass tends to have a higher tolerance to shade than other types, it doesn’t mean it will thrive without adequate sunlight. All plants need at least a couple of hours of direct sunlight to initiate photosynthesis. Fescue grass is no exception. Fescue can grow in the shade, but it will be weak under sun-deprived conditions. Make sure you take adequate care to prevent issues.
Will Fescue Choke Out Weeds?: The Bottom Line
The best way to keep weeds at bay is to ensure you provide adequate care to your grass. Fescue grass won’t choke weeds, so you must take preventive actions to avoid them from spreading to your lawn.
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