How do i keep my fescue lawn green in NC?

Question:

Answers:
North Carolina is divided into three areas called the "Coastal Plains (Eastern side), The Piedmont area (middle counties) and the Blue Ridge Mountain area (Western counties).

Piedmont / Blue Ridge Regions:
From Asheville west into the Blue Ridge mountains Bluegrasses can be used at higher / cool temperature mountain elevations. The lower elevation areas of Blue Ridge and the Piedmont regions are adapted for Fescues (Tall & Fine), Bluegrass, Bermudagrass, and Zoysiagrass.

Along the Coastal Plains your best choices are Bermudagrass (full sun areas), Centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass (sunny to light shade), and in the shadier / moist soil Tall Fescue and Carpetgrass can be used. Centipedegrass can also be used in the warmer areas of Piedmont region. St. Augustine is often found used along warmer coastal areas of the Coastal Plains. A soil test should be obtained annually on your lawn and in most areas of North Carolina the soil pH is acidic requiring applications of lime. Ryegrass is used in all areas, especially for overseeding Bermuda lawns to provide winter color.

Here is a great guide to maintaining beautiful lawns in the Carolinas: http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/pubs/exten...

Its interesting to see how different cultural practices are outside of the midwest (Chicago area). Here we would advise a spring fert, but the cool season grasses in the Carolinas should be fert in Feb. (Winter) and not again until Sept. That's why you should always seek local information on lawn care in your specific area. Good luck with your lawn.

Also view the CES website (Cooperative Extension Service - NCSU):
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consu...