How to water tall fescue turf grass

[@stevep7517]

This is the best video explaining lawn care for tall fescue. I became a lawn care nut four years ago, and I researched, experimented, and viewed a lot of how-to videos. This is by far the most informative. I hitting the like button.

[@andrewbooher1106]

"They mow that regardless because they need to work" I love that. Start em young buddy. So many parents need to show their kids a good work ethic especially at a young age.

[@MrBdogg317]

Thank you sooooooo much for this video. I brought your cool blue seed 50 lb bag. And I’m going to overseed next Saturday. Now I have the correct way to water. With my brand new irrigation system that I put in. I can’t wait. God bless

[@leemikle2242]

Came up on my news feed 3 years after you posted. You haven’t changed a bit Mr GCI TURF! 😃

[@leemikle2242]

It’s because of you I mow at 4 inches and my yard has made bounds and leaps of improvements man. Crowded out most of the weeds naturally. Yard got thick! Life is good. Thank you for your knowledge.

[@roba168]

I just started mowing mine at 4 looking forward to the results I

[@leemikle2242]

@@roba168 your yard will boom, make sure you take a small tape or ruler and make sure your blades are actually at 4 inches. The sticker on the handle probably isn’t right or the deck over time vibrated out of adjustment. :) Be patient, takes about 2 seasons, and mow frequently. Gives ya a good excuse to drink beer while on the mower anyways! 😀

[@mattgeorge7127]

Put in my irrigation system a couple years back and just followed the install companies recommendations. watering every other days about 15-20 minutes per zone. I knew about not watering in evening due to disease risk, but misting the lawn in the afternoon heat is a lesson learned. In the process of breaking down the lawn for over-seeding with GCI Cool Blue and getting ready for old man winter in the northeast. I appreciate your hard work and dedication Pete. I wish I was your neighbor! It would definitely help me elevate my lawn game. Like you said though, at the end of the day, it's just grass. God bless brother!

[@Anabee399]

You're a wise man, Pete. Man of God. I'm addicted to your videos and can't get sleep. Nevertheless, I love your humor too, and your little buddy's adorable.

[@jsu4275n]

You're awesome! I've learned a lot from you. You seem genuine and know what you're doing. Keep up the great work!

[@architecturehappy]

This cleared up so many IMPORTANT issues I’ve been having, THANK YOU

[@LawnTips]

Great tips mate! Best thing you can do is figuring out how much water the sprinklers put out. A lot of people don't know how to water their lawns properly!

[@scootermacarthy5990]

Thanks for sharing. In the Midwest the tall fescue in my yard doesn't seem to mind heat quite as much and grows nicely in my yard. It's about the only grass in my yard that will stay green. BTW, at 9:06 you got the phrase backwards: it's I couldn't care less not I could care less, then it would be moot! You haven't hit the bottom yet for caring. Thanks again for the tips.

[@grantgoodman1533]

I live in Raleigh and self-installed a tall fescue lawn with an irrigation system in February. It became a beast within a couple of months, and I thought it was bulletproof until our extreme heat wave here in June and July. Half of the lawn is brown now - looking dead - but I am hopeful that it has just gone dormant. I had previously measured sprinkler output and also syringed the lawn during the hotter spells, but to no avail. I think I need to test my sprinkler output again, because that seems to be the main cause. However, although I was using a cutting height of 3 1/2 inches, I will try your advice of jacking it to 4 or more next summer (although I may have to install bigger wheels on my mower to get to that height), and also won't cut it as often. So many "experts" advise other things, but they're not from NC, and I think that makes all the difference. Thank you for helping out regular folks who are trying to figure this out on their own. Like with everything these days, it's hard to known what to believe.

[@gmcjetpilot]

I just renovated my lawn from scratch with tall and fine fescue this spring. After seeding, 6-7 weeks my front/back yards are looking great. Did my first cut on highest setting. The temps are still cool but the heat is coming in Tennessee. I'm going to be watering a lot.

[@DocRobJ]

Great video that has cleared up some questions. You make things plain and easy to follow! Keep doing what you do, we appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

[@billhults8629]

Wonderful video - thank you so much. Up here in New Jersey, same deal: very hot, very humid, little to no rain. THANK YOU for the irrigation tips - this is the first time I've been told EXACTLY what to do, as far as determining HOW MUCH to irrigate.

[@GCITurf]

Bill Hults you're quite welcome friend

[@angelaprater2679]

John here looks good, nice lawn. And tell that little man, Illinois said hi.

[@ColonelK0rn1]

Funny thing is that you were talking about not mowing, and your neighbor with the brown lawn was riding across his lot. :D I picked up 2 of the gear drive Orbit sprinklers this weekend, and put them to use. I was really glad to be able to use 2 inline on my hose, where I couldn't use 2 impact sprinklers for coverage. I didn't want to spring for another one, $17/each isn't too cheap.

[@karlkulow2930]

Just saw one of your videos... its an old one but great info...great description..thanx for the info..

[@armandolanda5082]

You are a true lawn care G boss

[@MagnumVideos]

Hey, Pete! Great video. We have a new puppy and our back yard is so matted down from taking him out and walking him around the yard five or six times a day to do his business. (No fence yet). Plus there's a lot of brown, stressed area as well. I'm hoping it will come back in a few weeks.

[@yowibetancourt36]

This video earned my subscription!! I meant to do it w the last video you did on the sprinklers... I will SHARE and like everything you do... Im in Raleigh btw. Go tarheels!!

[@GCITurf]

Yowi Betancourt I was trying to give you 2 thumbs up but there's only one. LOL. GO HEELS!!!

[@dailyDIYdude]

Great video bud. I've got a good tip. If you use/buy the same size containers and place them in the yard like you did, you can then dump all the water into one container and divide the measurement by how many containers you placed in the yard. Super easy way of achieving exact measurement. Just my. 02

[@dailyDIYdude]

Not to knock your technique but if you aren't using exactly the same size containers when your taking your measurements your going to be off. Imagine if you used a cookie sheet to catch water in one spot and used a coffee cup to catch in another. The water delivery to the grass in both spots will be pretty close but your measurement will be WAY off because of the different size containers that was used to collect the water. Still GREAT content bud.

[@unluckyknight]

Lol i always use empty tuna cans, their about 1 inch deep🤣🤣🤣

[@superbeeblaze]

the main part of that is to dial in your system in the different areas. If one section gets 1/4 less water than another portion of your yard you would need to compensate with nozzel size or controller zone run time. By taking an AVERAGE sample size wont give you the info to do that.

[@porterbalke8342]

I’m in Seattle Wa. Fescue is my friend. Multiple people have said that if you water in mid day heat, it will cause your grass to burn, causing a magnifying effect from the sun. After watching this video (and countless others from you), I’ve come to believe that what they are saying is NOT true, and cooling grass mid day is a great way to help with heat stress. Can you clarify that this won’t burn my lawn?? I’ve seen golf courses do this too, but I’m afraid to burn my lawn. Thanks!! Watch you all the time keep making videos!!

[@ChefDevo1776]

1/4” per hour. My system puts out the same. Its crazy to think how long you have to run the water. But its accurate.

[@SmokeyA55]

Thanks for the video learn a lot I didn’t know about fescue 👌🏿

[@DeaganZ3488]

Very nice yard.

[@michaelmilligan5054]

Great advice. Thank you!

[@CDAndrews]

Excellent video Pete. I put some cat food cans out in my yard a few months ago and shocked is the exact word that I would use when I saw how 'much' water was being put out in an hour. Keep putting out the great content. I would love to see some videos on identifying disease. Pythium, brown patch, it all looks the same to me lol.

[@GCITurf]

CD Andrews I'll do some vids on different "browns" in fescue and what causes the brown. How do I get more subscribers? Is there a trick to it????

[@yowibetancourt36]

GCI Turf Services bro keep telling people to share your video

[@CDAndrews]

GCI Turf Services Can't help you with the subs, I just consume don't create. But I do work in Greensboro and have been telling folks to check out your services :)

[@MrGWWest]

Awesome little one! That was the best.

[@scholz222]

Thanks for the video. Always informative and timely info. Cheers!

[@monkeyslawncareandgardenin473]

Good stuff, however the second zone is going 360 not 180 so most likely your only getting a 1/8 inch out of the second zone. Unless your pumping more gal. Per min out if those heads. Bottom line, the test is a perfect way to figure it out. Great video Pete!

[@glenjamindle]

Ahhh the kid is freakin adorable!

[@arnoldlopez8332]

I really like your videos I’ve been watching a lot of other videos trying to get tips no my tall fescue sod your the only one who has given me really good ideas I appreciate you for taking the time and making theses videos. Right now where I live in New Mexico we’re hitting temperatures of 99 degrees I get up at 3 to water my lawn because I have to be at work by 5 but lawn is still a little brown haze on top I also had brown patch around June any tips on how to correct it to get the deep green out on it again

[@kylegoodwin6677]

I had an awesome tall fescue kentucky bluegrass yard from about october to early july then it died out. i tried overseeding that fall and next spring but it didnt work. now my yard is dead and the weeds have taken over. Im looking to do a yard renovation this year.

[@chassannicolas4701]

This was without a doubt the best explanation on watering your lawn that I’ve came across. So I have a 1200 square foot lawn that I can easily water using a water hose. If I can manage to put down 1.5 inches of water in a single day, is that ok? Or would you recommend that use two days to put down 1-1.5 inches of water? Thanks!

[@07BSPtC]

Now for me it is 95-105 under 25% humidity and no real rain since April. 1/2” last month so really none. I have tttf would I still go for 1.5” or would I even go for 2”

[@jonb7556]

Fellow NC born and bred. Further south and closer to the coast though. Can you do some videos on southern turf? I have bermuda and zoysia and would be interested in your knowledge of disease control. My backyard is on a slope and higher shade area. Been getting some patches pop up with the high humidity and large cumulative rainfall this season. Keep posting. Videos are great.

[@therealstevefrederick2126]

great video sir, thanks for all the great content you put out

[@49Newlife]

Thank you

[@scottwelch5045]

Great Job, Thanks for the info!

[@adanarceo4636]

Hi Pete, so in summer time the best time to water the lawn is in the morning right? Thanks for all this free tips brother, I been watching your videos for all the advice regarding lawn care, but this time definitely like and subscribe, thanks again.👍👍👍

[@ryan.vision]

Thanks for the tips Pete. I'm a first time homeowner trying to get my yard dialed in. I believe I have tall fescue and after watching this video I think I'm cutting it a bit too short and watering it too little too often. I'll raise the mower up and switch to 3 days per week after I do my measurement to determine how long I need to water. What's your take on mulching mowers? I bought one and was amazed at how well it works without bagging. The grass seems to disappear into thin air.

[@lawnboy1010]

Whats your opinion on synthetic fungicides vs biological fungicides and their effectiveness? I know synthetic fungicides are very detrimental to organic/natural fungi

[@scottgaskin8574]

Man I live in okla,I have Bermuda, and fescue in the back around the trees. My question is can I overseed the Bermuda with zozia seed to make it look great. If so is the spring the best time to do that. Thankyou for your time

[@mirceabalica1200]

You said mowing is also a stress factor. But if there are 95F on a daily basis and my mower highest setting is 3in, should I let the grass grow till 6in to get over the heat? This means when I'll first mow I'll have to cut more than 1/3 of the grass height. So which one is worse: to regulary cut when 95 or break the 1/3 rule from time to time? Thanks, great channel!

[@GCITurf]

Mircea Balica if your lawn is growing that aggressively in 95 degree heat then it's probably not stressed out at all. When it does begin to stress then you can back off on mowing. If you can only mow 3 inches high I would not let it get over 4-5 inches max during the summer.

[@rmeyer5238]

So your tapped in to your house well? How’s that? Will it burn your pump up and is it made for both. I think of doing that but I don’t want hurt my house well. Thanks

[@okieballs]

It’s probably a separate well. House is most likely on city water.

[@DaMidnitezorro]

Also mushrooms if you water overnight

[@ErikNaso]

Syringing is a great tip. I'm having this issue now in San Diego. It's been mid 80's for two weeks and the front lawn is browning. I water once aweek and laydown 1" in an hour. Maybe I should change to twice a week at 30 minutes?

[@GCITurf]

yes sir if you are that hot and dry that might not be a bad idea

[@tongung1]

You said that you're not irritating your yard; but in the background it showed that you're.

[@richardlyles2883]

How do you control Bermuda in tall fescue

[@nobodybusiness5409]

When is the best time to fertilize tall fescue in North Carolina and how often is acceptable?

[@rbauer1632]

I get that watering in the evening is bad. Can you explain why natural thunderstorms, which often happen at night do not cause turf problems?

[@Derek-iq2ro]

Pete I had an issue yesterday with my dogs. I found them in the corner of my yard where I just planted a small area of fescue (not recommended). The area was about 3.5" but is now all laying down sideways from when they were playing on it. Question is, will that fescue turn itself right side up on it's own through natural growth or will I have to repair it manually?

[@mariel.7171]

That's exactly what happened to my lawn.

[@russlickteig4955]

Will TTTF stay as green as K31? I have a few areas where K31 has gotten in. It's always green no matter if I water it or not. Will TTTF do the same? I know TTTF has long roots. Just curious if it handles the heat as well as K31.

[@peterbergeris6510]

Pete. Went on your website n couldn't send a message. I'm in pa. Cool season grass. I'm on LCN program where he has 6 rounds with 45 day windows. He says mow every 3 to 4 days n water in morning. I used prodiamine when soil was 55 and second app at 70 degrees with Milo or carbon x and bio stimulants. Killed grass in small spots same as last year. Date is 6/15/2020. Layed fungicides, heritage n eagle. Used sprinkler n put down can till it fills 1/2 inch of water. Beginning of season in April, grass was like a carpet. Now have brown spots and weather is high 70s to mid 80s. What's the problem?

[@davidfeatherston1490]

Are you bringing your company to the Hampton roads area (Virginia Beach Va) area

[@ebgolfin]

I have an irrigation system that pulls water from a shallow lake. Summertime water temperatures reach 85+ degrees. Would you still recommend syringing the turf with water that warm?

[@ryanbrand3946]

ebgolfin yes, water cools things when it evaporates, no matter the temp

[@brandoncho2587]

Pete, when you say early in the morning, how early could you do it? I think people recommend 6am but could you get away with doing it 4 or 5 in the morning? I don't want to water too early to cause fungal issues.

[@gabrielhernandez4992]

Does it apply to high deserts in California?

[@benharrison1069]

Very good video, Pete! Just a couple of things to suggest or I noticed. To measure the output of the sprinklers you might want to use tuna fish cans to collect the water. Tuna fish cans are about 1" tall so if you just want to eyeball the amount of water from your sprinklers that might be handy (If you like tuna fish, that is 😉). The other thing I noticed in this video was you said to water your grass no later than 4:00 p.m. and prefersbly in the morning before 10:00 a.m., however, while running your water for an hour to measure the sprinkler output you went inside to have supper. I'm a southerner too and supper is the evening meal as you know (some people call it dinner though LOL) so you may have wanted to do this video in the morning so you weren't watering your own grass at the wrong time of day per your own instructions. Just a hint and an observation, Pete. Keep up the great videos!

[@GCITurf]

Ben Harrison tuna cans will work fine. I made the video at that time of the day because that’s the only time I had to make it. 😎 I work during the day. Lol

[@GCITurf]

Ben Harrison do you do lawn care for a living?

[@benharrison1069]

No, Pete, I am not in the lawn care business. I am of the belief that if there is something that you do not know how to do then you can probably find a KZbin video to show you how to do it. Professionally I am an engineer so I pay close attention to details and try to follow processes closely. From a lawn care perspective, I'm a novice and I realize that. Therefore I have watched many KZbin videos on several channels and tried to pick up as much knowledgeable advice as I can from those that know a lot more than I do including your channel. Pete, some of my comments to you are tips I have learned from other channels and some comments are just my poor attempt at some dry humor. Pete, I sincerely appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with a lawn care novice like me. I'm sure I am not alone in my novice thirst for practical, experienced knowledge that every homeowner can use who wants a beautiful lawn that they have created. Thank you, Pete, for creating this channel and sharing your knowledge with me and all the other lawn care novices and those other viewers with more experience than me. Keep up the great videos! My lawn is getting better because of them. 😁

[@GCITurf]

Thanks for sharing that. I see more clearly now! Thank you

[@rodgersandrodgers8191]

Why don't you use pop-ups instead of what you are using? They put out more water per hour and therefore your watering time would be faster? Am I wrong?

[@jamesbarthelemy5926]

I may be way late, but that second zone should only add an eighth to the first zone. Same output, but it's rotating all the way around and not focusing on zone one. I know this is way too late though lol

[@hollowpoint1057]

Hmmm... an inch of water in those random bowls isn’t very accurate. The containers would need to be 1’x1’ for that exercise to be correct, but for most people it’s still a better estimate than they have without doing any kind of check. Generally solid info. I’m preparing to do a top dress in a tall fescue TN lawn, so I’m watching everything there is to watch (including 3 year old vids) about tall fescue. Getting ready to complete my second Tenacity application. I wish I could afford Pylex. My neighbor decided to overseed with Bermuda this spring 🤦🏻 so I’m fighting an uphill battle.

[@vinhardick6887]

Where do you get the academy fertilizer?

[@GCITurf]

www.gciturfacademy.com/product/gci-turf-academy-cool-season-lawn-care-program-membership/

[@stevenlechner]

Fantastic!!!

[@shanebretey373]

Love your videos. You say yours is not irrigated but there are sprinklers running behind you. I'm a little confused.

[@GCITurf]

Shane Bretey I just installed that Zone the other week. For 6 years it hasn't had irrigation except for when I water with a hose pipe and sprinkler. I'm in the process now of putting irrigation in the entire lawn

[@studio9400]

I thought the whole point of Tall Fescue is that it needs less watering because it has 2-3' root systems?

[@lizardme88]

Thanks for all the info! How on earth do you pay your water bill every month!

[@GCITurf]

Lizard me I have a well

[@nobodybusiness5409]

Lol.. that big yellow ball in the sky

[@BlakWiseCracker]

"Very informative information. Thanks

[@jefchaplin6205]

Great information Pete. To drive more views you should tell your viewers to like, subscribe, and share your videos with friends and on social media. #TarHeels

[@GCITurf]

jef chaplin gotcha. Feels funny saying that at the end of each vid. Lol. But I will

[@cranjismcbasketball2118]

I think we kinda can figure that out.. everyone says that!🤣

[@willjohnston6129]

Should you start and stop watering by a certain time? I've heard both sides on watering at night due to fungus

[@ryantoner8132]

Dawn until 10 am

[@YarderosUSA]

great video how do you water new sod??

[@GCITurf]

Orbin Guerra enough to keep the root zone moist. Run a zone for an hour the pull a section of sod up and see if it's moist. If it's not run it another hour. Do this until you get moist soil

[@YarderosUSA]

GCI Turf Services We did a sod installation 2 months ago we set the irrigation timer to water the Sod 2 times per day we put fungicide down 3 weeks ago we put fungicide round 2 but last week the Sod was not looking that great it looks like we are getting pythium but I have not idea what to do or how to water. I set the timer to water early in the morning. Like 40 minutes per zone. any help will be greatly appreciated!!!!

[@GCITurf]

Orbin Guerra you need to confirm that it's actually pythium and if it is you need to get a fungicide down specifically for that disease. Depending on your temperatures I would water enough to keep the soil moist

[@Savsal12]

I’m confused because it looks like your watering in the evening and you tell us not to water in the evening.

[@cdizzle1231]

I’ve always heard the 1/3 rule, never mow more than that from your lawn, but you said mow as little as possible in the summer. Does the 1/3 rule only apply to cool season grasses in spring and fall?

[@drink15]

I think that's if you are not bagging. Having too long of grass clippings can be an issue. Smaller clippings break down faster.

[@robchris27]

looks great to me!

[@Bikersupport]

Pete problem clumpy wet grass when mow just stays wet all week? I water once a week can grass grow to fast? just installed two months ago. Put Soil-Moisture meter shows moist to 8 inches.. My new lawn tall short mix called Marathon sod Fescue grass bot at Southland best looking lawn on my block got at sod farm mile away its a mix of tall and short Fescue it is thick they harvest it day you buy it fresh but will not dry I water once a week mow once week grows fast 6 inches end the week cut to 4 inches grass is wet where I live stay about 72 degrees on coast. Empty mower bag clumpy wet to clumpy to leave on grass weather just been to cool I think or grass is to thick so thick can not see the soil this should keep weeds out hope so.

[@GCITurf]

Thats a very confusing comment but it sounds like you need to lay off the watering for a while and let it dry out some

[@CCCC-tq8yo]

6 hrs wow

[@yeahcharles7870]

Your 360 degree rotor heads will not put down the same amount per hour as the one in your video, which are 180 degree rotor sprinklers. This is because in 1 hour, your 360 degree rotor heads are covering twice as much area than the 180 degree rotors. In other words, if your 180 degree rotor hits the same spot 10 times in 1 minute, the 360 degree rotor will only hit it 5 times in 1 min.

[@GCITurf]

Yeah Charles yep. That's true

[@jonpatterson8842]

no one going to comment on the sprinkler running at 2:36 mark right after saying no sprinklers? Good information for this channel, but misleading on lawn input. Same at very end.

[@nauticalnovice9244]

How about you actually plant something there? Trees, bushes, sprouts, herbs, flowers instead of having all that land for nothing?

[@tycox8704]

This is one of my peeves with our obsession with lawns. They waste valuable resources. If not for the undrinkable storm water in our pond, I would not water our grass. It's unthinkable to water millions of acres of grass with precious drinking water.

[@CodiTheJedi]

City water around here is 10% chlorine. I'll throw it on the yard and drink bottled water :D

[@CCCC-tq8yo]

Almost one yr later lol

[@scottrobertson5639]

everyone should listen to this fella. stop mowing your yard to death

[@mooko85]

Sounds expensive to water 1 inch a week