tall fescue maintenance schedule

[1999frontier]

Does anybody have a simple schedule for tall fescue that I can use and go by for my lawn? The one I found is: http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Maintenance_Calendars.aspx#000017

To me it doesn't tell me exactly what to put out as far as fertilizer. Maybe I'm just dumb and can't figure it out. This is all new to me. Can someone help? Scotts has a 4 step program. Crabgrass prevention, Plus 2 weed control, summerguard, winterguard.

Not sure if I will get too much Nitrogen with this.

[RigglePLC]

I think four applications of nitrogen are fine for your extended growing season. Brown patch disease is apparently a big factor if you fertilize in hot weather. (Hence they do not want you to feed after March 15). But you probably will need weed control of some kind--so either ignore their advice or find a way to do it with out fertilizer--better to call a professional who has the right spray equipment. Myself I would skip the summer insect control unless you have an insect problem. And I would use the weed and feed in the fall after the weather cools down. Follow up in late fall with a winter fertilizer.

[uber_bwnage]

Put down Lesco 19-0-7 with Stonewall (barricade) now and don't fertilize again until September.

Scotts TB with Halts has a lot of N (its like 30-?-?) and will lead to brown patch. I've had it a couple of years ago when I used it. Totally destroyed my lawn. IMO Scotts it total crap.

There is no set "program" to follow. Get your soil tested in late summer and follow the program that is recommended.

I got mine tested last year and it recommended 15-0-15 in Sept, Nov, and Feb.
I put down 18-2-18 in Sept and Nov, and 19-0-7 Stonewall yesterday. I'll get retested in August and follow what it says.

[1999frontier]

I've got this chart for Lesco products. For TTTF it has:

Feb/Mar.- 25-0-7 PRE-M or 19-0-7 Dimension Crabgrass Pre-m
April/May- 18-2-9 Weed & Feed
mid Aug.-mid Oct.- 24-2-11 Turf Fertilizer
last Oct.-first of Dec.- 18-0-18 Fall/Winter Fertilizer

Is this ok to go by? I don't have a Lesco/JD Landscapes near me but Home Depot has Lesco. Their products are made by Lesco, but not their actual specs I guess.

[uber_bwnage]

Skip the April/May Weed n Feed, you don't need it...and it increase your chance of brown patch in the summer.

This is a good "guide", but again, get a soil test and follow that...that is your best true schedule.

FYI...the markup on Lesco products at HD is insane. You can get 19-0-7 Pre-M at JD/Lesco for $18...its like $39 at HD. So its worth the drive to Lesco IMO.

[grassmasterswilson]

i only fert fescue in feb, sept, and nov. at 1 pount of N per 1000. You will find that unless someone is watering every day your fescue will suffer in the summer 90+ degree days. You don't want to keep the stress to a min! The northern guys can get away with fertilizing a lot more.

[lilmarvin4064]

the program they handed me around here was...

March) Dimension .15% 13-0-5 + liquid weed control
May) Dimension .10% 15-0-7 + liquid weed control

September) 28-5-12 or 18-24-12(w/seed)
November) 30-0-10

[Snapper12]

the program they handed me around here was...

March) Dimension .15% 13-0-5 + liquid weed control
May) Dimension .10% 15-0-7 + liquid weed control

September) 28-5-12 or 18-24-12(w/seed)
November) 30-0-10

Was this with a soil test?

I am also in the transition zone CE MO.

[Robert Pruitt]

if you are going to plug and over seed in the fall do not use weed and feed. as stated above use the 18-24-12. will green up and good for root system.