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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Creeping Red Fescue
Best shade grass seed—Creeping Red Fescue thrives in 2-3 hours of sun. Spreads via rhizomes, ultra-low nitrogen needs. Festuca rubra. USDA Zones 2-7.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The shade champion of cool-season grasses. Creeping Red Fescue thrives where other lawn grasses struggle—under trees, along north-facing walls, in dappled forest-edge light. It's the only fine fescue that spreads via short rhizomes, giving it the ability to slowly fill thin areas without overseeding. Its fine, needle-like blades create an elegant, soft texture, and its low nitrogen requirement (1-2 lbs N per year) makes it one of the lowest-maintenance lawn grasses available.
Category
Grass
Type
Creeping Red Fescue
Scientific Name
Festuca rubra
Zones
2-7
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The shade champion of cool-season grasses. Creeping Red Fescue thrives where other lawn grasses struggle—under trees, along north-facing walls, in dappled forest-edge light. It's the only fine fescue that spreads via short rhizomes, giving it the ability to slowly fill thin areas without overseeding. Its fine, needle-like blades create an elegant, soft texture, and its low nitrogen requirement (1-2 lbs N per year) makes it one of the lowest-maintenance lawn grasses available.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Test pH (5.5-6.5) and ensure good drainage
Step 2
Apply light organic starter fertilizer
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Rake very lightly and roll gently
Step 5
Water 2-3 times daily for 2-3 weeks
Step 6
First mow at 4-4.5"; maintain 3-4" long-term
Best For
Shaded areas under trees and along buildings|Low-maintenance lawns with infrequent mowing|Low-nitrogen and organic lawn programs|Blending with ryegrass and bluegrass for sun/shade versatility|Sandy, well-drained soils|Slopes and areas where low maintenance is required
FAQs
1.
What is creeping red fescue?
Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) is a fine-textured, shade-tolerant cool-season grass that spreads via short rhizomes (underground stems). Unlike Kentucky bluegrass which has aggressive, far-reaching rhizomes, creeping red fescue's rhizomes extend only a few inches, providing moderate lateral spread. This growth habit allows it to slowly fill thin areas without aggressively invading adjacent plantings. It is the most widely used fine fescue species in lawn mixes throughout the northeast and upper Midwest.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Leigh is an improved creeping red fescue variety offering better density, finer leaf texture, and improved disease resistance compared to common creeping red fescue. It maintains a darker green color through the growing season and tolerates moderate shade conditions. Leigh is commonly specified in premium lawn seed mixes where fine texture and shade performance are priorities. It is well-adapted to USDA zones 3-7 and performs particularly well in the cool, moist climate of New England.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Creeping red fescue is one of the most shade-tolerant lawn grasses, maintaining quality with as little as 3-4 hours of direct sunlight or bright filtered light. It outperforms Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue in shade. Only Poa trivialis matches its shade tolerance, and only in wet conditions. Creeping red fescue is the primary shade-carrying species in mixes like the Wicked Tuff Turf Sun & Shade Mix (25% of the blend) and All Purpose Lawn Mix (35%).
4.
What is the seeding rate for creeping red fescue?
Seed creeping red fescue at 4-5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for new lawns, or 2-3 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for overseeding. For larger areas, use 150-200 lbs per acre. Plant 0.125-0.25 inches deep—do not bury fine fescue seed deeply or germination drops significantly. A firm, smooth seedbed followed by light rolling provides ideal conditions. Creeping red fescue germinates in 10-14 days, slower than ryegrass but faster than Kentucky bluegrass.
5.
Does creeping red fescue tolerate drought?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
What is the difference between creeping red fescue and chewings fescue?
Both are fine fescues with similar shade tolerance and fine texture, but they spread differently. Creeping red fescue produces short rhizomes that allow moderate lateral spreading and gap-filling. Chewings fescue is strictly a bunch-type grass with no rhizomes—it grows in dense clumps but does not spread. Creeping red fescue is better for filling thin areas over time; chewings fescue is more competitive and aggressive within its clump. Many mixes include both for complementary coverage patterns.