Fine Fescue lawn care schedule

Fine fescue is the umbrella name for creeping red, chewings, hard, and sheep fescues: fine-bladed grasses that thrive in shade and infertile soil where Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue would struggle. It is the go-to choice for the strip under a maple tree or the slope you do not want to irrigate. Tolerates close mowing or can be left to flop at 4–5 inches for a low-input "no-mow" look.

Growth habit

Creeping red spreads slowly via rhizomes; others bunch

Mowing height

2.5–4 in (or unmowed)

Season

cool-season

Notes: Lowest fertility requirements of the cool-season grasses. Heat-intolerant: browns in full sun south of zone 7.