Question
Hello,

I have been following your advise for some time and I'd really appreciate your opinion on something.  I've been doing some research about low maintenance lawns because I am really tired of mowing and watering.  I came across the idea of fine fescue lawns.  What do you think of these type of lawns?  Are they really drought tolerant and slow growing?  I hear they even grow in the shade.  Is that true?

Sincerely,

JS

Answer
Fine Fescue is good.  Creeping Red Fine Fescue is better.

Many Grass blends include Red Fescue for its tolerance of extreme conditions.  A dry, shady plot suddenly turns Green, growing Grass where no Grass had grown before.  But Red Fescue doesn't mind Sun.  Must be why this takes first place on the list of treasured it is the most popular Fine-leaved Fescue.

Red Fescue is one of the very few Turfgrasses with a gene for Shade.  The only thing that comes close is 'Supernova' variety Supina Bluegrass; unfortunately Supernova does not have the endurance of Fescue.

Picky landscapers often combine Creeping Red Fescues like Jasper II or Garnet with a shade-tolerant Kentucky Bluegrass.

But nobody's perfect.

In the case of Red Fescue, you can forget about walking on it.  Red Fescue won't put up with feet or action.  Leave the kids at the beach.  Beware of the dog.  The way you're allowed on this kind of Lawn is if you're walking behind a Lawnmower.

This Grass is about as close as Cool Season Grasses get to a low maintenance product.  And although it mixes fairly well with other Grasses, you should know that this Grass won't win any beauty contests.  If you adore your KBG or Perennial Rye plot, you're not going to like this kind of Grass.  Forget about growing it down South; it has no tolerance whatsoever for hot, humid weather.