Compared to bluegrasses, fescues require minimal levels of management, including less fertilizer and water. Excessive fertilization or irrigation can cause a severe thinning of a fine-leafed fescue lawn. Leafspot diseases can also cause an extensive thinning of the lawn during midsummer. For these reasons, fine-leafed fescues are seldom grown alone, but are primarily used in mixtures with bluegrasses. Red fescue, chewings fescue and hard fescue are the three fine-leafed fescue species grown in Michigan.
Red fescue is a sod former, while chewings fescue and hard fescue are bunch-type grasses.
Perennial Ryegrasses Perennial ryegrasses have an erect bunch-type growth habit with rapid seed germination and establishment. Medium levels of fertility and well-drained soils are preferred. Both common and improved perennial ryegrasses are available. Common or unimproved types tend to be short-lived, due to lack of winter hardiness. These common types also have a coarse appearance and a tough fibrous leaf with poor mowing quality.