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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Tall Fescue
Deepest-rooting cool-season lawn grass. 4-6 inch roots for drought survival. Turf-type varieties with fine texture. Handles clay and heat. USDA Zones 3-8.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The deep-rooted drought survivor of cool-season turfgrasses. Tall Fescue sends roots 4-6+ inches into the soil—twice the depth of Kentucky Bluegrass—accessing moisture that keeps it green when other lawns go brown. Modern turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF) varieties have fine texture, dark green color, and excellent disease resistance, a world apart from the coarse, clumpy K-31 forage fescue of decades past. For properties in the transition zone, clay soils, or drought-prone areas, Tall Fescue is the most reliable cool-season turfgrass available.
Category
Grass
Type
Tall Fescue
Scientific Name
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus)
Zones
3-8 (performs in transition zone better than other cool-season grasses)
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The deep-rooted drought survivor of cool-season turfgrasses. Tall Fescue sends roots 4-6+ inches into the soil—twice the depth of Kentucky Bluegrass—accessing moisture that keeps it green when other lawns go brown. Modern turf-type Tall Fescue (TTTF) varieties have fine texture, dark green color, and excellent disease resistance, a world apart from the coarse, clumpy K-31 forage fescue of decades past. For properties in the transition zone, clay soils, or drought-prone areas, Tall Fescue is the most reliable cool-season turfgrass available.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Test pH (5.5-7.5) and prepare seedbed
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Rake into surface and roll firmly
Step 5
Water 2-3 times daily for 2-3 weeks
Step 6
First mow at 4.5-5"; maintain 3.5-4" height
Best For
Drought-prone areas|Clay and compacted soils|Transition zone lawns (zones 7-8 northern edge)|High-traffic backyards and play areas|Properties without irrigation|Blending with Bluegrass for self-repair + drought tolerance|Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic lawns
FAQs
1.
What is tall fescue?
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a deep-rooted, bunch-type cool-season grass known for durability, heat tolerance, and drought resistance. Its extensive root system (4-6+ inches deep) accesses moisture unavailable to shallow-rooted grasses, maintaining green color during summer heat and drought that sends Kentucky bluegrass dormant. Modern turf-type tall fescue (TTTF) varieties have fine texture and dark color comparable to bluegrass, eliminating the coarse, clumpy appearance of older varieties like K-31.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Turf-type tall fescue (TTTF) and K-31 (Kentucky 31) are the same species but dramatically different products. K-31 is a forage-type variety with wide, coarse leaf blades, light color, and clumpy growth—it looks weedy in a lawn. TTTF varieties have been bred for finer leaf texture, darker green color, denser growth habit, and improved disease resistance. The improved tall fescue in Wicked Tuff Turf mixes is turf-type, not K-31. Always verify 'turf-type' or 'improved' on the label.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Black Tail is a turf-type tall fescue variety selected for very dark green color (among the darkest available), fine leaf texture, and strong disease resistance. It performs well in full sun to moderate shade and maintains color during summer heat stress better than many competitors. Black Tail is commonly specified for premium lawns in the transition zone (zones 6-7) where tall fescue outperforms Kentucky bluegrass during summer. It is also well-suited for zones 3-6 where year-round color is a priority.
4.
How deep do tall fescue roots grow?
Tall fescue develops one of the deepest root systems of any lawn grass—typically 4-6 inches, with roots reaching 12+ inches in well-drained soils. This deep rooting provides its drought and heat tolerance by accessing moisture below the dry surface layer. For comparison, Kentucky bluegrass roots reach 2-4 inches and perennial ryegrass reaches 4-6 inches. Mowing tall fescue at 3.5-4 inches promotes maximum root depth; low mowing (below 3 inches) shortens roots and reduces drought tolerance.
5.
What is the seeding rate for tall 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 USDA zones does tall fescue grow in?
Tall fescue thrives in USDA zones 3-8, the widest range of any cool-season lawn grass. It is the dominant lawn grass in the transition zone (zones 6-7) where it outperforms Kentucky bluegrass during hot summers while maintaining cool-season growth during fall and spring. In zones 3-5, tall fescue provides excellent drought tolerance and summer color retention. Tall fescue is the most heat-tolerant cool-season lawn grass, making it the best choice where summer stress is a concern.