So you’ve narrowed it down to two, bermuda grass vs fescue. Like you, many of your average homeowners can quickly feel overwhelmed with a ton of information available, and which resource to trust.
How do you know which one of the different grasses will be best for your property? What are the differences between the two types of grasses? In this blog post, we will explore the origin and characteristics of both bermuda and tall fescue grass.
We will also discuss how to maintain each type of grass, and what issues may arise with each type. Finally, we will give a brief overview of where each type of grass thrives best geographically.
When it comes to choosing the right type of grass for your home, doing your research beforehand can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
There are many factors to consider when making your decision, such as where you live, how much sun your yard gets, how much foot traffic it gets, and what kind of maintenance you are willing to do.
But don’t worry, by the end of this post, you will be equipped with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about which type of grass is best for your home to have a beautiful lawn!
What's The Difference?
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass that originates from Africa and Asia. It is a very resilient grass that can withstand high traffic and abuse. Most bermuda grass varieties are known for their rapid growth rate, which can be both a good and bad thing.
While it is great for quickly filling in bald spots in your yard, it can also be difficult to control, so having a plan to keep it from going in areas you don’t want is vital. Bermuda grass spreads by sending out above-ground runners (stolons) and underground runners (rhizomes).
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that originates from Europe. It is a very versatile grass that can be used for both landscaping and turfgrass. Tall fescue grass, like bermuda grass, is also known for its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and regular abuse.
Fescue has a very deep root system, which helps it to be more drought resistant, which is beneficial in the areas where the temperatures can be extreme. Tall fescue spreads by sending out above-ground runners (stolons) and underground runners (rhizomes).
So, what’s the difference between the two types of grasses? While they both can be started from sod or grass seed, when it comes to bermuda grass vs fescue, the main difference is in their growth habits. Bermuda grass is a rapid grower from sod or grass seed, while tall fescue is a slow grower in either meathod. Bermuda grass also has a higher tolerance for heat and drought than tall fescue.
Now that we’ve gone over the differences between bermuda and tall fescue grasses, let’s talk about how to maintain each type. As with any plant, proper maintenance is key to keeping your grass healthy and looking its best.
How to Maintain Each Grass Type
Bermuda Grass
Even though bermuda grass is a tough grass that can withstand a lot of abuse, and can be found on most golf courses and playing fields. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t require any maintenance. Proper care of your bermuda grass will ensure that it looks its best and remains healthy. Here are some tips on how to properly maintain your bermuda grass:
Fertilize
Your bermuda grass needs to be fertilized regularly. Bermuda grass is a heavy feeder and will require more nitrogen fertilizer than other grasses.
Keep in mind also that not all fertilizers are created equal, so it’s important when you are selecting your fertilizer that you choose one that is specifically for bermuda grass.
Watering
Bermuda grass needs to be watered deeply and less frequently. Watering your bermuda grass too often will actually do more harm than good.
When watering your bermuda lawns, make sure to give it a deep watering that saturates the root zone.Ā The University of Florida Environmental Horticulture DepartmentĀ recommends that homeowners water their established bemuda lawns at a rate of Ā½ to Ā¾ inches per week. Newly planted grass seed will need to be watered more often.
Mowing
Bermuda lawns should be cut at a height of Ā½ to Ā¾ inches. Mowing your bermuda too short can damage the lawn and make it more susceptible to disease and pests.
When mowing your bermuda, make sure to use a sharp mower blade. A dull mower blade will tear the grass, rather than cut it, which will not give the desired clean even cut.
Be sure and check out our post on theĀ best mowers for bermuda grass. The post covers everything you need to decide which mower is right for you and your bermuda grass.
Tall Fescue
Fescue is a tough grass that can withstand a lot of abuse, but proper care is still necessary to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips on how to properly maintain your tall fescue:
Fertilize
Your tall fescue grass needs to be fertilized regularly. It is recommended that you apply fertilizer to your tall fescue lawn four times a year: once in mid to late spring, summer, early fall season, and again in the winter months to maintain a preferred lush dark green color.
When selecting a fertilizer for your tall fescue lawns, choose one that is specifically designed for cool-season grasses.
Watering
Fescue grass is drought-tolerant, but it still needs to be watered regularly during the growing season and summer months. The best way to water your tall fescue lawns is with a sprinkler system that applies Ā½ to Ā¾ inches of water per week.
If you don’t have a sprinkler system, you can water your fescue lawn manually. Water your fescue lawn deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth.
Mowing
Like most cool-season grasses the mowing height is generally anywhere between 2.5 to 4 inches. For your fescue grasses, there really isn’t a right or wrong answer to the proper height.
Your tall fescue lawn height should be determined based on your specific home activities and high traffic areas. However, ideally, a healthy typical fescue lawn thrives best at a height of around 3 to 3.5 inches.
Common Issues That May Arise
Bermuda Grass
Pests, crabgrass, and diseases are the most common problems that homeowners have with their bermuda yards.
Bermuda Lawn Pest
Bermuda grass is susceptible to a variety of pests, such as chinch bugs, sod webworms, and armyworms. These pests can cause extensive damage to your yard if left untreated.
Weeds
Weeds are also a common problem in bermuda yards. Bermuda grass is a very competitive grass, but there are still many types of undergrowth that can invade your lawn. The best way to prevent them from taking over your lawn is to ensure that it is healthy, thick, and kept mowed at the proper height.
See our post where we rank the 5 best weed killers for bermuda grass.
Disease
Bermuda grass is also susceptible to a variety of diseases, such as brown patch, dollar spot, and rust. These diseases like pests, can also cause extensive damage or even kill your lawn if left unattended.
Tall Fescue Grass
Common problems that homeowners have with fescue include thatch, compaction, brown patch, red thread, pest & weeds.
Thatch
Thatch is a layer of dead and living organic matter that builds up between the green part of the wide leaf blades and the soil surface. Thatch can become a problem if it gets too thick because it will prevent water, air, and nutrients from getting to the roots.
Compaction
Compaction is also a common problem in fescue lawns. Compaction occurs when the soil is packed down too tightly, which in a way affects tall fescue like bermuda in that it prevents everything that the soil gets naturally from reaching the roots to thrive.
To prevent compaction, make sure to aerate your fescue grass lawn every year. This will help to loosen up the soil and allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass.
Brown Patch
Brown patch is a fungal disease that affects fescue grass. Brown patch appears as large, brown patches of dead grass in your lawn.
To prevent brown patch, make sure to water your lawn only when necessary and never during the evening hours. Watering in the evening will cause the leaves of the grass to stay wet for long periods of time, which will create an environment that is ideal for brown patch to develop.
Red Thread
Red thread is another fungal disease that affects fescue grasses. Red thread appears as small, red patches of dead blades in your lawn.
To prevent red thread, make sure to fertilize your lawn regularly. Red thread thrives in lawns that are lacking in nutrients.
Pest & Weeds
Pests and creepers are also common problems in fescue grass lawns. Fescue grass is susceptible to a variety of pests, such as chinch bugs, sod webworms, and armyworms
While these problems can be a nuisance, they can be controlled with proper care and maintenance of your lawn.
Where Each Type of Grass Thrives
Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass that thrives in warm climates between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Bermuda grass will go dormant in cooler temperatures, so it is not ideal for lawns in cooler climates.
Fescue grass is a cool-season grass that thrives in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Fescue grass will go dormant in warmer temperatures, so it is not ideal for lawns in warmer climates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bermuda grass and fescue grass are two very different types of grass. Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass that is best suited for lawns in warmer climates. Fescue grass is a cool-season grass that is best suited for lawns in cooler climates. Both types of grasses require different care and maintenance in order to stay healthy.
When choosing which type to plant on your property, be sure to consider your climate and the amount of care and maintenance that you are willing to put into your lawn.
If you have any further questions about bermuda vs fescue grasses, reach out to your local lawn care professional. They will be able to help you choose the right type for your lawn and provide you with additional care and maintenance instructions that you need to keep your lawn looking its best. Thanks for reading!
