%20(1).png)
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Hard Fescue
Lowest-maintenance cool-season grass—needs only 0.5-1.5 lbs N/year. Extremely drought tolerant, thrives in poor soil. Festuca brevipila. USDA Zones 2-7.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The toughest, lowest-maintenance cool-season grass available. Hard Fescue survives drought, poor soil, acidic conditions, and cold that would eliminate most lawn grasses—and it does it on less fertilizer than any other turfgrass (0.5-1.5 lbs N per year). Once established, it's nearly indestructible. The catch: it establishes painfully slowly (18-24 months to mature) and doesn't spread, so damaged areas require overseeding. Hard Fescue rewards patience with decades of virtually maintenance-free turf.
Category
Grass
Type
Hard Fescue
Scientific Name
Festuca brevipila (syn. Festuca longifolia)
Zones
2-7
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The toughest, lowest-maintenance cool-season grass available. Hard Fescue survives drought, poor soil, acidic conditions, and cold that would eliminate most lawn grasses—and it does it on less fertilizer than any other turfgrass (0.5-1.5 lbs N per year). Once established, it's nearly indestructible. The catch: it establishes painfully slowly (18-24 months to mature) and doesn't spread, so damaged areas require overseeding. Hard Fescue rewards patience with decades of virtually maintenance-free turf.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Test soil; does not require heavy amendment
Step 2
Apply minimal starter fertilizer
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Rake very lightly and roll for contact
Step 5
Water consistently for 4-5 weeks
Step 6
First mow at 5-6"; 18-24 months to maturity
Best For
Ultra-low-maintenance areas|Slopes and banks where mowing is difficult|Poor, acidic, or infertile soils|Drought-prone areas without irrigation|Eco-lawns and conservation plantings|Blending into mixes for drought tolerance (Low Grow Mix, Sun & Shade Mix)|Large properties where minimal input is the goal
FAQs
1.
What is hard fescue?
Hard fescue (Festuca trachyphylla) is a fine-textured, bunch-type grass with the lowest maintenance requirements of any cool-season turfgrass. It requires less mowing (grows slowly, reaching only 8-12 inches unmowed), less fertilizer (0.5-1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft annually), less water (survives on natural rainfall in most climates), and fewer pesticide applications (naturally disease-resistant) than any other lawn grass. This makes it the foundation species for low-input, sustainable lawn approaches.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Clarinet is an improved hard fescue variety offering better turf density, darker color, and improved performance compared to common hard fescue. It maintains its blue-green color through summer dormancy better than older varieties. Clarinet germinates and establishes slightly faster than common hard fescue—though still slowly compared to ryegrass. It is well-suited for low-mow lawns, naturalized areas, and conservation plantings in USDA zones 3-7.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Hard fescue is the most drought-tolerant of all cool-season lawn grasses. It survives extended drought by entering dormancy—turning brown and appearing dead—then resuming growth when moisture returns. Hard fescue requires no supplemental irrigation in most cool-season climates (zones 3-7) with normal rainfall patterns. Its deep, dense root system and slow growth rate minimize water demand. For non-irrigated lawn areas, hard fescue is the most reliable species choice available.
4.
How long does hard fescue take to establish?
Hard fescue germinates in 14-21 days and is the slowest-establishing lawn grass. First-year growth is minimal—expect thin, sparse coverage that looks like a failed seeding. This is normal. Hard fescue invests heavily in root development before producing dense top growth. A mature hard fescue stand takes 18-24 months to develop. Mixing with perennial ryegrass (as in the Wicked Tuff Turf Low Grow Mix) provides fast initial coverage while hard fescue slowly fills in underneath.
5.
What is the seeding rate for hard 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
Does hard fescue tolerate shade?
Hard fescue tolerates moderate shade (3-4 hours direct sun) but is less shade-tolerant than creeping red fescue or chewings fescue. Its primary strengths are drought tolerance, low maintenance, and tolerance of poor soils—not shade performance. In full sun, hard fescue performs well and requires less water than most alternatives. For heavy shade, creeping red fescue or the Wicked Tuff Turf Sun & Shade Mix (which includes 15% hard fescue alongside more shade-tolerant species) is a better choice.