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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Festulolium
Ryegrass × Fescue hybrid—fast establishment, high palatability, drought tolerance. Best of both genera for grazing and pasture. USDA Zones 3-7.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
A purpose-bred hybrid combining the best traits of two grass families: Ryegrass speed and palatability crossed with Fescue persistence and drought tolerance. Festulolium (×Festulolium) is an intergeneric hybrid—a cross between species in different genera, which is rare in agriculture. The result is a grass that establishes as fast as ryegrass, is eaten as readily by livestock, but persists through drought and cold that would kill pure ryegrass stands. The 'Duo' variety (Italian Ryegrass × Meadow Fescue) is the most common type and the key ingredient in the Tuff Turf Grazing Lawn Mix.
Category
Grass
Type
Festulolium
Scientific Name
×Festulolium (Festuca × Lolium intergeneric hybrid)
Zones
3-7
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
A purpose-bred hybrid combining the best traits of two grass families: Ryegrass speed and palatability crossed with Fescue persistence and drought tolerance. Festulolium (×Festulolium) is an intergeneric hybrid—a cross between species in different genera, which is rare in agriculture. The result is a grass that establishes as fast as ryegrass, is eaten as readily by livestock, but persists through drought and cold that would kill pure ryegrass stands. The 'Duo' variety (Italian Ryegrass × Meadow Fescue) is the most common type and the key ingredient in the Tuff Turf Grazing Lawn Mix.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Prep bed or broadcast on short-mowed sod
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Lightly rake or press into surface; roll
Step 5
Water consistently for 2 weeks
Step 6
Expect green in 5-7 days; graze when 4-6"
Best For
Livestock grazing systems (cattle, sheep, goats, horses)|Dual-purpose lawn/pasture properties|Pasture renovation where ryegrass persistence is a problem|High-sugar forage programs for improved livestock nutrition|Homesteads with poultry and small animal grazing|Quick pasture establishment with long-term persistence|Blending into grazing lawn mixes
FAQs
1.
Is it the same as ryegrass?
Festulolium (×Festulolium) is an intergeneric hybrid created by crossing ryegrass (Lolium) with fescue (Festuca) species. The goal is to combine ryegrass's fast establishment, palatability, and high sugar content with fescue's persistence, drought tolerance, and winter hardiness. Different crosses produce different characteristics—Duo Festulolium specifically crosses Italian ryegrass with meadow fescue, creating a forage grass that animals love to eat and that recovers quickly from grazing.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Duo is a specific Festulolium variety crossing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) × meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis). It inherits Italian ryegrass's fast establishment (germination in 5-7 days), high sugar content, and palatability, combined with meadow fescue's persistence and winter hardiness. Duo produces more forage in year one than meadow fescue alone and persists longer than Italian ryegrass alone. It is the anchor species in the Wicked Tuff Turf Grazing Lawn Mix at 40% of the blend.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Festulolium persistence depends on the specific cross. Duo Festulolium (Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue) typically persists 2-4 years—longer than Italian ryegrass (1-2 years) but shorter than meadow fescue (5-8 years). Festulolium crosses involving perennial ryegrass × tall fescue may persist longer. Rotational grazing with adequate rest periods maximizes stand life. Plan to overseed Festulolium-based pastures every 2-3 years to maintain density.
4.
What is the seeding rate for Festulolium?
Seed Festulolium at 25-35 lbs per acre for pure stands, or 10-15 lbs per acre in mixes with other grasses and legumes. For small areas, use approximately 0.5-1 lb per 1,000 sq ft. Plant 0.25-0.5 inches deep on a firm seedbed. Festulolium establishes quickly—often producing grazeable growth within 45-60 days of planting. Its rapid establishment makes it useful for pasture renovation where fast ground cover is needed.
5.
Is Festulolium more palatable than regular fescue?
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 are the best uses for Festulolium?
Festulolium is best suited for intensive grazing systems (especially rotational grazing with dairy cattle, sheep, or goats), silage production, homestead grazing lawns, and pasture renovation where fast establishment and high palatability are priorities. It is included in the Wicked Tuff Turf Grazing Lawn Mix specifically for properties integrating poultry, rabbits, or small livestock. Festulolium is not typically used for hay because its high moisture content makes field drying difficult.