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Between tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG), which one should you plant in your lawn? While both are cool-season grasses, there are a number of factors unique to each of them that will help you choose which one is most suitable for your yard. The difference between Kentucky bluegrass vs tall fescue is the cost factor and appearance. Tall fescue requires about 1 lb of nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 sq. ft. while Kentucky bluegrass needs at least 3 lb of nitrogen fertilizer. Below, I’ve delved deeper into the fine differences between these grass species. Since Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are both cool-season grasses, these two turfgrass species have various similarities. Still, that doesn’t mean that there are no differences between the two. If anything, there are lots of differences between these two lawn kinds of grass.  Here’s a table that summarizes the differences between Kentucky Bluegrass and tall fescue:
What Are The Best Seeds?For Tall Fescue seeds, I personally like the Highlander II Fescue grass seed that you can get here. For Kentucky Bluegrass seed, I’ve been using Barenbrug’s Turf Blue HGT with Yellow Jacket Coating. This has performed best in almost all climates. Check it out here. Water requirementsBoth Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue need at least 1”- 1 1/4″ of water per week. When conditions are hot during summer and there is a lack of rain, your lawn may require even 2 ½” per week. If your lawn is grown in sandy soils, you may need to apply about ½ inch of water every third day. Fertilizer requirementsYou’ll need to apply 1 pound nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 square feet of tall fescue lawn while Kentucky bluegrass is more fertilizer-intensive, requiring an average of 3 to 6 lbs. of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn, per year. For both kinds of grass, however, it is important to do a soil test to determine the deficient nutrient before choosing the best fertilizer for your lawn. It is best to start to fertilize a fescue lawn in March or early April. Do not apply fertilizer after April 15th. Shade toleranceBoth KBG and tall fescue grasses can resist a certain amount of shade and still thrive. However, while tall fescues require 4 hours of direct sunshine per day minimum to survive, Kentucky bluegrass at least 8 hours of direct sunlight to grow and thrive well. The Glade and Bensun are the most shade-resistant cultivars of KBG. If you’re trying to establish a lawn in a shady yard, you’d do well to choose tall fescue as your turfgrass. Traffic toleranceMoving on- unlike other fescue sub-species – Tall fescue is more traffic-tolerant compared to Kentucky bluegrass, making it suitable for use on grounds that undergo heavy use – such as sports pitches. Seed germination timeIn terms of growth and seed germination, Kentucky bluegrass seeds take longer to germinate in comparison to tall fescue seeds. Sod formationAdditionally, Kentucky bluegrass forms dense sods that spread out by themselves to cover even bare patches. Tall fescue, on the other hand, develops bunchy sods that eventually require re-seeding to get rid of bare patches in the lawn. Weeds and growthThe final notable difference is their preferred growing conditions. While Kentucky bluegrass is vulnerable to weeds and diseases during summer and in generally hot climates, tall fescue is rather heat-tolerant and is resistant to summertime disease and weed invasions such as crabgrass. Tall Fescue Identification + PicturesTall fescue leaves are flat, smooth, and shiny on the underside, with pronounced ribs on the upper surface. The stems are 3-4 feet tall, supporting a nodding panicle that is 4-12 inches long. Is Tall Fescue The Best Cool Season Grass Type? Tall fescue – known by the scientific name Festuca arundinacea – is a popular turfgrass species that was introduced into America from Asia and Europe. It thrives in humid temperate regions, where it can grow up to about 16-inches. It also does well in wet-soil regions and doesn’t require lots of sunshine exposure, hence s good turf grass choice for lawns that already contain other types of flora.
There now exist hybrid varieties that possess a finer texture and form denser turfs. You can also identify Tall fescue by observing the venation, as the upper side of this grass species’ leaf blades contain longitudinal venation. Tall fescue grass varieties also spot pointed leaf tips. Meanwhile, the dull appearance of the upper sides of the leaf blades contrasts with the glossy texture on the lower side. Tall fescue is quite saline-tolerant and can do well in soils with pH levels of between 5.4- 6.2. It also features an extensive fibrous root system and can form sods through underground shoots (rhizomes). Tall fescue grass also has smooth, circular flowering stems and is known to lack a definite ligule. You can identify Tall fescue seeds by their oval shape and tan-brown color. The seeds also have slim, circular rachillas. Kentucky Bluegrass Identification + PicturesKentucky Bluegrass leaves are 6 to 12 inches long and boat-shaped at the tips. They appear to be smooth, soft, and about 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. Kentucky Bluegrass The bluegrass video discusses the differences between bluegrass and perennial ryegrass since they are often mixed together and look similar. Kentucky bluegrass – scientifically known as Poa pratensis – typically grows to a height of between 18-24 inches, with a canoe-shaped leaf tip. During spring, it develops new leaves every ten days, with the duration increased to about 22 days during summer and fall. During winter, however, leaf production depends on the region’s climate. In Northern regions, there’s no leaf production in winter, as opposed to transition zones where leaf production doesn’t stop all through the year. From spring to summer, new leaf blades that appear on Kentucky bluegrass grow up to about 4 inches tall with this length gradually reducing as the year progresses into late summer and fall. This is because leaf blade length is determined by day-length, with the blades able to grow taller during the longer summer days than during the shorter fall days. The leaf angle also differs by season, with new leaf blades appearing during spring and early summer being erect and those appearing from late summer and fall being decumbent. Kentucky bluegrass typically develops rhizomes that sprout up from the leaf axils, just above the ground surface. The rhizomes grow downwards into the soil from where they develop and branch out. During spring and early summer, however, the growing sections at the tip of the rhizomes grow upwards and branch out as above-ground shoots. Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes typically have a two-year lifespan. Which Grass to ChooseWhether to choose tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass largely depends on where you live. In the transition zone (the coast of the Atlantic through Kansas), summer days tend to be too hot and arid for Kentucky bluegrass. Tall fescue, on the other hand, is a heat-tolerant grass species that will definitely thrive in the same region. Finally, depending on what lawn aesthetic you’re going for, you can also always blend these two cool-season grass species for varied results. References
Hi, Alex Kuritz here. Growing up I remember that my family had one of the best lawns in the neighborhood. Richly green and lush. I did a lot as I grew up in terms of caring and tending for not only my family’s lawn but also my neighbors. I can say I have years of experience, and I am here to share it with you. Can I mix tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass?Hard (fine) fescue and Kentucky bluegrass seed can be added to the tall fescue seed at the rate of 1 to 2 lb of each species per 1,000 square feet.
Is Kentucky bluegrass a fescue?Unlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a self-spreading, sod-forming grass. Once established, it spreads readily via underground stems known as rhizomes to form a dense, thick turf. This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage.
Is Kentucky 31 and Kentucky bluegrass the same thing?Kentucky 31 tall fescue is broad leaved, coarse and light green in color. It is known as a bunch-type grass, growing in clusters, according to Ohio State University. Kentucky Bluegrass, which is actually native to Europe, is green although some varieties do have a slight bluish cast.
Can you overseed Kentucky bluegrass with fescue?"But overseeding a thin bluegrass lawn with fescue or overseeding a thin fescue lawn with bluegrass is OK if you choose the right varieties--ones that match well in terms of their color and texture." Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are both cool-season grasses, Keeley said.
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Is Kentucky tall fescue the same as Kentucky bluegrass?
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