When's the best time in the fall to plant Fescue? (mover, title)

[m378]

Title says it all.

Also when's a good time to aerate?

[tkeru408]

You might get lots of detailed answers, but the short answer is mid-September plus or minus two weeks. Aerate just before seeding.

If I've got really bad spots that I need to fill in sometimes I might spread seed twice, once in early September and then again about three weeks later in mid-late September.

[carcrazy67]

After years of trying and spending thousands of dollars, I have concluded that planting fescue in this area is an exercise in futility! Never again!

[m378]

Originally Posted by carcrazy67

After years of trying and spending thousands of dollars, I have concluded that planting fescue in this area is an exercise in futility! Never again!

I've heard this. But as I watch my neighbors cutting their zoysia once a week if not more, I'm ok with doing some fescue work in the fall. Going to give it a try for a couple years, if it returns to looking as bad as it is currently, then out it goes.

[walessp]

My own preference from childhood on - "plant green concrete" and head for the beach.
Unfortunately I have never had what I preferred. I was outvoted by my Dad and now my wife.

Only improvement has been a power mower instead of a push mover. Man, that was WORK!

walessp

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

I find late September to first two weeks of October works best.

[rfb]

I like the 3rd week of September. By then it is cooler, for the most part, and there is time for the grass to grow and green up before winter so the lawn looks better until spring.

[lamishra]

We usually do mid-end of sept but have even done it in October and it's been fine

[NM posts]

It's been so hot that I'm definitely waiting until October this year. I have before and it grew well.

[jelenap]

I highly recommend googling "turffiles". This NCSU document helped us a lot with all the trass questions.