Kentucky 31 grass

[jstutzman]

Does anyone actually like this grass? I live in triad region of NC and turf type tall fescues require a lot of care to maintain. I just tilled and planted most of my yard with K31 fescue. Most people dont like the wide blades. Personally i dont mind them. Im worried about it getting clumpy though. My two boys and i are pretty hard on the lawn. With motorcycles, ATVs and bicycles, I need something that will take a beating. Hopefully I dont regret this but as far as i know it is the toughest fescue available.

 

[Red05GT]

You're not going to find anything any hardier. We seeded several acres around our pond
and yard 13 years ago and only mow it and have not had clumping problems. Even after
extremely dry periods it greens right back up after little moisture. On farm waterways,
the KY31 is the desired grass in our area.

 

[pipsters]

K31 is a great hearty grass. That being said if you want something durable you need Bermuda. It will regrow on its own. Any type of fescue in NC will die off unless it's 80-100% shaded in the summer. And even then all bets are off.

 

[5lima30]

For what your needs are and climate in your area K-31 would be a good choice! It is very hardy and shouldn't require alot of extra care.

 

[KEH]

K 31 dosen't do well everywhere, but it is very hardy where conditions are suited to it. The fescue behind my house in a pasture has been there 60+ years. It does better in lawns if it is not cut too short, maybe 3 inches.

It does not do well in the sandy Southeast coastal plain. Gets too hot and dry there. Fescue likes a cooler climate but does better in the open sunlight or partial shade. Creeping fescue does fairly well in shade as long as the shade is not too dense.

Fescue grows strongly in the spring and early summer. It goes dormant in the heat of the summer, then has a spurt of growth in the fall.

KEH

 

[jstutzman]

thanks guys for the comments. Looks like i may be in good shape. I have bermuda in the front and dont like it much. Jun Jul and Aug it does awesome but the rest of the year i dont like it much. It is also very agressive and intrudes my flower beds at a crazy rate. For now im just trying to keep the seedlings and seeds moist as the whether has been pretty hot lately.

 

[trbomax]

Ive used it here going on 5 yrs now.Blow sand and sunny,but I do keep it watered.I cut it long,about 3" and it is very tough. I hit it with triple 16 in june and triple 12 in sept.Overseed in oct after leaf cleanup. It is a brighter green than most grasses,some people like the dark green "carpet look" and its not for them.I have about 1.5 a of it.

 

[Daves69]

I asked the same question when I moved here. Local extension office said to use KY31. I have tried some different blends like Big League and had about the same results. This is the best time of year to reseed in this area.
Where are you located here in the Piedmont?

Dave

 

[jstutzman]

I asked the same question when I moved here. Local extension office said to use KY31. I have tried some different blends like Big League and had about the same results. This is the best time of year to reseed in this area.
Where are you located here in the Piedmont?

Dave

So did you have pretty good luck with the K-31? Im just conserned that the seedlings are going to cook out being it is so hot. While im at work, im having my wife spray the lawn every 30 mins to keep it moist. I live above kernersville by belews lake. almost at the intersection of Piney Grove Road and 158. I think the next few days are gonna be tough. Also, where is the best place local to us to get soil samples conducted?

 

[Daves69]

I think Farmers Feed and Seed can do your basic test. I usually send my samples to the state for testing.
Best prices on seed are at Farmers Hardware up the street from Feed and Seed.
Buy a watermelon from Jimmy in the yellow Ford truck, he is in front of the hardware store most evenings.

I am near the Swaim ball fields on countyline rd.

Dave

 

[steve308]

Zoysia grass. Chokes out weeds and uses very little water. Grows fast and once established you can move plugs to other lawn areas. It goes brown at first frost so winter months can be a bit dull.

 

[jstutzman]

Cool, thanks guys. Dave, i probably drive past your house on the way to work. Some mornings i take the back way from 150 to countyline road into colfax. I work over at RFMD on 68 and 40

 

[jstutzman]

Zoysia grass. Chokes out weeds and uses very little water. Grows fast and once established you can move plugs to other lawn areas. It goes brown at first frost so winter months can be a bit dull.

Actually my neighbor has Zoysia and it is very nice. Only problem is , like you said, it turns brown in winter and it does not tolerate shade at all.