Instructions / Assembly
How to Plant Mayberry Fescue
September – October is the best time to plant a fescue lawn in the South. The best time to plant a new lawn in the North is March – May.
Seeding a New Lawn
Optimum air temperatures for tall fescue germination are 68 to 77°F and soil temperatures greater than 60°F.
• Kill all weeds by spraying the area with Compare•N•Save Grass & Weed Killer two weeks before planting.
• Mix in a layer of soil conditioner one inch thick. Till the soil thoroughly to a depth of six inches.
• Rake the area smooth, removing rocks, clumps and grassy debris.
• Roll the area with a water-filled roller to reveal low spots.
• Fill low spots with soil.
• Scatter 5 to 8 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet.
• Cover very thinly with wheat straw (1 bale per 1000 square feet).
Overseeding an Existing Lawn
• If the lawn is covered 50% or less with healthy fescue, use a rented verticutter (sometimes called a dethatcher). Adjust the verticutter blades to just
touch the top of the soil.
• If the lawn is covered 50% or more with healthy fescue, use a rented core aerator. Stop when you have 10 or more aerator holes per square foot.
• Just before seeding, lower your mower one notch below your normal mowing height and mow the lawn. This removes the grass canopy and helps seed
fall directly onto the soil.
• Spread 3 to 5 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet. Drag the area with a carpet or section of chain link fence to crumble aerator plugs and cover the
seed with soil.
Watering Schedule after Seeding
• Set out several paper cups while you irrigate to help determine how long it takes to apply an inch of water.
• Apply one inch of water immediately after planting.
• Apply only enough water daily (or as regulations allow) to prevent the top one-half inch of soil from drying until seedlings are 1.5 inches tall.
• After that, apply one-fourth inch of water every third day for nine days.
• Next, apply one-half inch of water every fifth day for ten days.
• After this establishment period, apply one inch of water per week for the rest of the growing season.
• There is no need to water if rainfall supplies the correct amount.
Weed Killers
• Compare•N•Save Grass & Weed Killer can be used to kill existing weeds one week before seeding.
• Do not use a pre-emergent herbicide, a broadleaf weed killer or a “weed and feed” product before seeding or within six weeks after seeding.
Fertilizing Southern Lawns
• Use a starter fertilizer at planting using the label rates.
• Fertilize again in mid-November, using any brand turf fertilizer.
• Fertilize again February, using any brand turf fertilizer.
• Fertilize again mid-April, using any brand turf fertilizer.
Fertilizing Northern Lawns
• Use a starter fertilizer at planting using the label rates.
• Fertilize again 6 – 8 weeks later.
• Fertilize a third time 6 – 8 weeks later.