All You Need to Know About Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

An economical turf that endures drought, heavy use, and adapts to varied soil conditions.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 19, 2025

An economical turf that endures drought, heavy use, and adapts to varied soil conditions.

Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue, often referred to as K-31, is a historic and reliable grass variety cherished for its adaptability, ruggedness, and affordability. Its unique blend of characteristics has made it a favorite for homeowners, landscapers, and turf professionals for nearly a century. This guide explores all the essential aspects of K-31 Tall Fescueâfrom its origins to its many uses, and from planting instructions to lawn care tipsâhelping you make informed choices for your landscape.

What Is Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue?

Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is a cool-season, bunch-type grass known for its hardiness, drought resistance, and adaptability. Developed and released in 1942 by the University of Kentucky, K-31 draws its name from the state and year of its selection. Unlike modern turf-type fescues, Kentucky 31 is appreciated for its robust nature and economical price, making it a staple in seeding pastures, lawns, parks, and erosion control projects.

Scientific Name: Schedonorus arundinaceus (previously Festuca arundinacea)
Growth Habit: Bunch-forming perennial
Color: Light to medium green
Texture: Coarse-bladed
Best For: Lawns, basic landscaping, erosion control, reclamation, and some forage uses

The History of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

This hardy grass variety has an intriguing background. Although fescue species originally came from Europe, Kentucky 31 gained widespread attention in the U.S. in the early 20th century. Its resilience and ability to thrive in the demanding climates of the transition zone led to its rapid adoption. Released as a named variety by the University of Kentucky in 1942, K-31 quickly became a top choice for cool-season turf, pasture, and soil stabilization projects.

Unique Characteristics of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

Coarse Leaf Texture: The leaves are broader and coarser compared to fine fescues or modern turf-type tall fescues.
Light to Medium Green Color: Not as dark green as newer cultivars, but maintains a pleasant appearance with minimal care.
Excellent Drought Resistance: Maintains green color and remains viable through challenging droughts due to a deep root system.
Cold and Heat Tolerance: Performs exceptionally in both hot summers and chilly winters typical of the transition zone.
Low Maintenance: Thrives with basic care, making it ideal for utility lawns and large open spaces.
Adaptability: Grows in a range of soil types, including poor and compacted soils; prefers soils with moderate fertility and pH between 5.5 and 7.5.

Where Does Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Grow Best?

Kentucky 31 is perfectly suited to the U.S. transition zoneâa geographic area where summers are too warm for most cool-season grasses, and winters too cold for warm-season varieties. It also adapts well in other regions with temperate climates and can be found as far west as the Pacific Northwest and north to the Great Lakes.

Region	Growth Suitability	Notes
Transition Zone (MO, TN, KY, VA, NC, AR, OK)	Ideal	Handles hot summers and cold winters well
Midwest	Good	Used for lawns and sod
Northeast & Great Lakes	Good	Survives winter cold
Pacific Northwest	Fair	Grows with irrigation, prefers drier summers
Deep South, Southwest	Poor	Struggles in extreme heat and drought

Top Advantages of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

Inexpensive: Available at a lower cost than specialty turf types, making large projects affordable.
Low Maintenance: Requires less fertilization, less frequent mowing, and fewer inputs than high-performance lawn grasses.
Durable: Tolerates foot traffic, equipment use, and pets, making it a strong choice for public parks, home lawns, and multi-use fields.
Erosion Control: Rapid root growth and thick bunches help control soil erosion on slopes and in vulnerable areas.
Good Establishment Rate: Germinates quickly and establishes a stand with relative ease compared to other cool-season grasses.

Uses for Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

Kentucky 31 has inspired a variety of uses, reflected both in professional and residential landscaping:

Residential Lawns: Commonly seeded for family yards valuing resistance and affordability.
Utility Turf: Excellent for roadways, airports, parks, and open spaces where ruggedness trumps fine turf aesthetics.
Erosion Control: Used extensively in soil conservation and reclamation projects, as its roots bind soil on slopes and disturbed land.
Athletic Fields: Used in some applications for its wear tolerance, though newer turf types may be chosen for fine-textured appearance.
Parks & Playgrounds: Provides a safe, resilient turf for recreational areas.
Forage: Sometimes used for livestock pasture, but note concerns about endophytes (see below).

Endophytes and Livestock Considerations

One important note: Kentucky 31 often contains naturally-occurring endophytesâfungi living within the grassâwhich provide natural pest resistance and improved performance under stress, but can cause toxicity issues in grazing animals such as cattle and horses. As a result, modern pasture and forage programs usually recommend endophyte-free or novel-endophyte tall fescue varieties for livestock grazing, while K-31 remains a top choice for lawns and non-grazed applications.

Comparing Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue and Turf-Type Tall Fescues

While both Kentucky 31 and newer turf-type tall fescues are classified as tall fescues, there are notable differences:

Trait	Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue	Turf-Type Tall Fescue
Leaf Texture	Coarse	Finer and softer
Color	Lighter green	Darker green
Growth Rate	Faster, taller	Moderate, shorter
Maintenance	Lower maintenance	May require more care for visual quality
Cost	Low	Higher
Primary Use	Utility, erosion control, basic lawns	Premium lawns, sports turf

Planting Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue: Step-by-Step Guide

Timing: Plant in early fall or spring, when night temperatures stay consistently below 65ÂºF. Fall is often preferred for root establishment before hot weather returns.
Site Prep: Till or loosen soil to a depth of 4â6 inches. Remove debris and level the surface.
Soil Testing: Test for pH and nutrients. Amend with lime and fertilizer per recommendations, or use general-purpose lawn fertilizer if testing isnât possible.
Seeding: Broadcast evenly at a rate of 6â8 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. for new lawns, or 3â5 pounds for overseeding.
Seed Coverage: Rake or lightly drag to cover seed about 1/4 inch deep. Mulch with straw as needed to retain moisture.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist until seed germinates (usually 10â21 days) and seedlings are well established.
Mowing: Wait until grass reaches at least 4 inches high before first mowing; mow to a height of 2.5â4 inches.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Mowing: Mow regularly to a height of 2.5â4 inches. Avoid scalping or removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade in a single mowing.
Watering: Deep watering is recommended, targeting about 1 inch per week during dry spells.
Fertilization: Fertilize K-31 in early fall and late winter/early spring. Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 16-4-8) and avoid excess nitrogen during summer.
Weed Control: Proper mowing and fertilization help compete against weeds. Apply pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides as neededâread all labels carefully.
Disease & Pest Monitoring: Kentucky 31 is resistant to many pests and diseases, partly due to the endophyte presence, but monitor for brown patch and other common lawn issues in humid conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue good for home lawns?

A: Yesâespecially for large, utility, or play lawns where toughness, drought resistance, and affordability are top priorities over fine-leafed, dark-green aesthetics.

Q: Can I use Kentucky 31 for livestock pasture?

A: While it has historically been used for forage, modern recommendations favor endophyte-free or novel-endophyte fescues to protect livestock health. Consult local extension offices for best choices.

Q: How quickly does Kentucky 31 germinate?

A: Germination typically occurs within 10â21 days under optimal conditions, with establishment following within the first growing season.

Q: Is Kentucky 31 a good choice for erosion control?

A: Absolutely. K-31 is prized for its rapid root development and robust growth on slopes, roadways, and disturbed soils.

Q: How often do I need to water Kentucky 31?

A: During establishment, keep soil moist. Once mature, provide about 1 inch of water per week during dry weather for best performance.

Q: How does Kentucky 31 compare to turf-type tall fescue for appearance?

A: Kentucky 31 is coarser and lighter in color. If you desire a soft, fine-bladed, dark-green appearance, a turf-type tall fescue may be a better choice.

Tips for Success

Prepare the soil well before seedingâremove stones and test pH to set up optimal rooting conditions.
Donât overseeed with another variety if uniform texture and appearance is importantâmixing seed types can lead to patchy, uneven lawns.
Be patient during establishment. Kentucky 31 may take several weeks to fill in thickly, but its resilience pays off over time.
Maintain proper mowing heightsâhigh mowing encourages deeper roots and drought resilience.

Conclusion

Whether youâre establishing a durable home lawn, controlling erosion, or seeding utility landscapes, Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue stands out for its cost-effectiveness, ruggedness, and long-standing reputation. If your climate and goals align with this classic grass, you can enjoy a time-tested solution for years to come.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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