Can I convert my existing lawn to tall fescue by overseeding with tall fescue?
A. NO. You will end up with a patchy lawn with clumps of tall fescue among bermuda. This is an unthrifty condition which often results in scalping. Q. How do I switch to tall fescue? A. At low elevations (bermuda country), you must first kill the bermuda in August with Round-up when the bermuda is adequately growing. Apply two applications ten days apart. Don’t wash off the round-up from the leaves. Q. When should I seed tall fescue? A. In the early fall, about 2 weeks earlier than for ryegrass. In Phoenix/late September – Tucson/mid-September – Prescott/August 15 – Flagstaff/mid-July. Yuma — don’t do it. Q. How much seed should I put down? A. On a well prepared (fresh) soil bed, apply 6-8 lbs. of seed per 1000 ft2. On the dead bermuda, scalp it, then apply 10-12 lbs. of seed per 1000 ft2. The seed should be raked in slightly and tamped. The bermuda stubble should be covered with either a light coat of composted manure or soil. Q. How often should I water to establish the lawn? A. Tw
