Ryegrass vs Fescue Grass | How Do They Differ?
If you want cool-season grass and live in a cooler climate, you could be debating between planting grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, tall Fescue or perennial ryegrass. You should grow both types of grass if you are in a region with colder winters and cooler summers.
Tall Fescue and perennial ryegrass are quite similar to one another. Both of them prefer warmer climates yet are intolerant of frost. They grow in tough kinds that can resist heavy traffic and form clumps that resemble bunches. Many gardeners are unsure which to choose because different varieties of grasses differ in other ways. Consider tall Fescue and perennial ryegrass.
What is Perennial Ryegrass?
Overseeding with perennial ryegrass, also known as Lolium perenne, is done in the warmer months. The northern regions, which experience colder winters, can withstand it. It sprouts early and grows swiftly. It is a bright green hue with a medium texture.
This makes it a common addition to turf seed mixtures because of its qualities. Since it grows a certain way, perennial ryegrass poses a potential problem for other grass species. You shouldn’t compromise more than 20% of any composition, so keep that in mind.
What is Tall Fescue Grass?
Tall Fescue, commonly referred to as Festuca Grundinacea, resembles ryegrass. Despite being significantly darker in color, it feels extremely abrasive. Because it is a durable grass, it is a highly popular option for turf in typical lawns.
It can withstand heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic. It is also heat resistant. However, tall Fescue struggles to survive the winter. It may thin out and become sparse after an extended period of cold.
Comparison of Tall Fescue vs Perennial Ryegrass
| Basis | Tall fescue | Perennial ryegrass |
| Appearance | Dark Green with Plump, Fine Blades | Bright Green Blades that are Smooth and Fine |
| Popular use | Athletic fields, golf courses, and roadside | Lawns and pasture with low water requirements or winter overseeding in warm climates |
| Ideal Soil Type and pH | Ideally, the pH should be between 6 and 7. | Ideal Soil is Dry and Well-Drained, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. |
| Water requirements | Water Consumption: 1.25 to 1.5″ per week, Slightly Above Average | Average Overall Water Consumption -1” of Water Per Week |
| Sun / Shade / Temperature needs | Preferred Full Sun/Dormant Below 50F and Above 80F | Preferred Full Sun/Dormant at 55F |
| Durability | High Stability and Quick Recovery | Low-Average Resistant to Damage Recovery |
| Pests and diseases | Geese, Digging Animals, Ants/Webworms/Thrips/Grubs, and Spore-Based Diseases | Mold, mildew, moss, and algae if it’s too wet – webworms, thrips, and grubs – Digging Animals |
| Mowing needs | Average height of 2 to 3 inches and best growth in cool weather. Can be mowed to 1 inch or less. | Must be Cut to 2″ Height; Grows Best in Cool Weather |
Difference Between Ryegrass vs Fescue Grass
1. Ryegrass vs tall fescue Appearance
Tall Fescue is thicker grass than perennial ryegrass. Each blade is smooth, erect, and bright green when it is in good health. With some of the best germination and growth rates available, perennial ryegrass grows exceptionally well from seed.
By planting new grass clumps in surrounding lawn areas via shoots known as “tillers,” perennial ryegrass expands. Once this clump has been established, these tillers can be cut without causing any damage to the original clump of grass.
In contrast, tall Fescue is rough grass. With its strong and intricate root structure strong and intricate root structure it is designed to withstand heavy traffic and even digging. In addition to growing in dense clumps, tall Fescue spreads by producing tillers.
2. Soil Types and Ph Need For Tall Fescue vs Ryegrass
Dry, well-drained soil is ideal for perennial ryegrass growth. It has a sensitive root system that avoids compacted soil and establishes itself close to the earth’s surface. Perennial ryegrass prefers a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Rich, clay-rich soil is what tall Fescue prefers to grow in. Tall Fescue spreads thick, robust roots and stolons. Tall Fescue can tolerate compacted soil very well. This is one of the reasons tall Fescue is such a fantastic cultivar for high-traffic locations. Tall Fescue prefers a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
3. Uses of Perennial Ryegrass vs Tall Fescue
When used for a lawn, perennial ryegrass is somewhat fragile. Pets like dog can readily harm this grass species; thus, urine should be thoroughly diluted to avoid “stains” or dead patches. This particular grass variety also requires a lot of sunlight. If you don’t have pets and prefer a well-kept lawn that takes little upkeep, this might be the best grass kind for you.
Tall Fescue is a hardy variety of grass. This grass is grown around baseball diamonds, racetracks, and in the medians of parking lots. Tall Fescue can withstand much more pollution than perennial rye and is especially resilient to heavy traffic.
One thing to remember is that tall Fescue prefers shade in this situation. Tall Fescue is frequently left long to reduce this demand in locations with a lot of heat or direct sunlight.
4. The Durability of Rye grass vs Fescue
The fragile root structure of perennial ryegrass was previously mentioned. Because of this, it is vulnerable to compaction and can be dug up. Additionally, the delicate, delicate grass blades represent this. When chopped or dug up, perennial ryegrass takes a long time to recover. Some clumps may wither away before being replaced by stolons and surrounding clumps.
Strong roots and thick, coarse blades are characteristics of tall Fescue. As a result, harming is more challenging. Tall Fescue produces roots and stolons that are some of the most effective at penetrating thick, clay soil and may survive in conditions of moderate to severe compaction. After digging or chopping, it also recovers quickly.
5. Water, Sun, and Temperature Requirement for Ryegrass and Fescue
The average water needed for tall Fescue and perennial ryegrass during the growing season is 1 inch per week. Both types are resistant to brief spells of dryness; thus, this can average across a month and includes rainfall.
Tall Fescue likes the shade while perennial ryegrass favors the Sun. They have specific temperature ranges that reflect this. Perennial ryegrass enters dormancy at 55°F and thrives best at about 75°F. On the other hand, tall Fescue enters a latent state at 50°F and thrives in the 70°–75°F range.
6. Pests and Disease Affecting Fescue and Ryegrass
If a lawn’s moisture level is too high, perennial ryegrass is extremely vulnerable to illnesses that can affect most grass varieties. This includes the growth of algae, powdery mildew, and slime mold. Annual ryegrass is not more vulnerable to insects than the ordinary plant.
It would help if you were looking for grubs, webworms, ants, and thrips. Due to perennial ryegrass’s poor recovery rate, digging animals can readily cause extensive damage.
The problems and infections that could result from excessive wetness are easily managed by tall Fescue. Tall fescue lawns are unlikely to develop mold, mildew, or algae, but they are excellent environments for toadstools and mushrooms to grow unhindered.
The insects mentioned above are equally unlikely to provide serious issues for a tall fescue lawn. Animals that dig are unlikely to inflict long-term harm because of tall Fescue’s quick regeneration rate and resilient nature.
7. Mowing Requirement for Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass
During the milder months, perennial ryegrass should be cut around once per week, and during the hottest months, as little as twice per month. Keep it at the height of about 2 inches.
Tall Fescue is comparable since it also develops rapidly during the chilly spring and fall months. For the finest appearance, it will need different heights, though. Tall Fescue grass can be cut as short as 2 inches during the cooler months.
Tall Fescue should be kept at 3 inches or taller during the summer or any time the temperature is typically above 80 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid the ends “rusting” or “burning.”
8. Grasses Related to Ryegrass and Fescue
The long-term equivalent of annual ryegrass is perennial ryegrass. With one significant exception, annual ryegrass is an annual in any place with winter temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It otherwise shares almost all of the same characteristics as perennial ryegrass.
Annual ryegrass is frequently employed when a quick-growing grass is required to cover an area before something is permanently planted the following year.
Like ryegrass, Fescue is available in a variety of forms. Fine Fescue is tall Fescue’s opposite. Similar criteria apply to fine Fescue, which includes creeping red Fescue and pasture varieties like sheep and chewing Fescue. They all prefer cool temperatures and shade, and they almost all require the same nutrients.
Tall Fescue and fine Fescue differ most in that fine Fescue requires less water than tall Fescue. Additionally, because fine Fescue is a softer grass variety than tall Fescue, it cannot withstand the same level of traffic.
Conclusion
The Tough turf grasses that can be grown in the colder regions of the northern portion of the US include perennial ryegrass and tall Fescue. Choosing the right grass for your lawn can be difficult, especially given how similar perennial ryegrass and tall Fescue are. Perennial ryegrass is frequently blended with other grass seed varieties, such as tall Fescue. Combining these two varieties of seeds can aid in accelerating coverage.
If you choose to utilize a ryegrass blend, frequently trim your lawn to prevent the ryegrass from displacing other grasses. Tall Fescue is more drought resistant than perennial ryegrass, which may be cultivated in various soils. Both of these grasses tend to bunch together and are highly traffic-resistant, making them ideal for use in sporting venues and on playing fields.
