Sowing & Growing: Chewings Fescue

Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra commutata) also known as red fescue is a fine leaved perennial tufted grass. It is distinguished from creeping red fescue by its absence of creeping rhizomes. It remains dark green throughout most of the season. 

It forms a dense turf and is one of the main species used to form lawns. Unlike other similar species, red fescue does not have the aggressive creeping habit of creeping red fescue. This means that it has less of a smothering effect in delicate mixtures, like wildflower mixtures.

When to sow: Sowing in warm soil conditions with adequate moisture will help the seed to germinate and establish quickly.

Sowing Rates: 6.25 g/m2 - 25kg per acre - 62.5kg per ha

Preparation: A fine but firm seedbed should be created, care should be taken to remove any weeds from the area. Once sown the area should be lightly raked over to cover the seed and well consolidated with a roller or similar seed to encourage maximum seed to soil contact and conserve moisture. Seedbeds should not be left unconsolidated and if you leave a footprint on a newly sown area it should be rolled again.

Management: Mown short, it makes an excellent lawn grass. If it’s regularly scalped, chewings fescue can become pale, weak and disease prone. However, if it is maintained at around 5cm height, or even allowed to grow a little longer, this grass species makes a great lawn.

---

Date Posted: 14th February 2023