Eco-Grass, a blend of fine-leaved fescue cultivars, is an excellent choice for solid border areas or footpaths adjacent to native plantings or as a responsible alternative to an energy-intensive conventional turf lawn.

This versatile mix establishes quickly, growing into a flowing carpet that can go unmowed or be mowed to a recommended 3” height occasionally or frequently, depending on rainfall, application and intended use. Eco-Grass grows in most soil types and sun conditions, thriving in all but the darkest and wettest settings in clay or heavy soils. The thin blades of the fescues and their relatively deep root systems (4-9”) enhance drought-resistance by reducing water loss and reaching deeper water reserves.

When Eco-Grass reaches about eight inches and begins to form seed heads, it tends to bow or flop over, which can add an attractive naturalistic flow to landscape highlights. Once established, it is durable under moderate foot traffic if mowed as a path or lawn. It resists invasion by filling in well but will not encroach on neighboring plantings. Converting an existing turf area to Eco-Grass by inter-seeding alone can be accomplished but the process requires great patience and several years of annual seeding.

Eco-Grass yields big savings as a lawn alternative by eliminating or reducing the need for pesticides, fertilizers and frequent watering or mowing. These slow-growing fescues establish even in light or low-nutrient soils and hold no attraction for lawn grubs, the problematic larvae that thrive in shorter-rooted turf grasses.

A cool-season grass mix, Eco-Grass is best planted on a prepared site from which competing species have been removed in late summer-early fall or early spring. Fall plantings have the advantage of fewer competing weeds. The seeds can be hand-broadcast or distributed with a grass-seed spreader and should be lightly raked in and then watered well for the first two months, if needed. Depending upon conditions, germination can be expected in one to two weeks. Its cool-season nature shows in its bright-green luster in late autumn, followed by browning in dormancy and an early spring green-up.

 Eco-Grass does not need to over-winter to break germination inhibitors. Seeds sown in late fall or winter will lie dormant until spring. Even sandy soils can suit it but frequent watering may be necessary on very dry sites or in dry seasons until the plants are established. Once it fills in, Eco-Grass is a low-maintenance, attractive choice for many specific landscaping needs for home and garden.

The recommended seeding rate for Eco-Grass is 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. or 220 lbs. per acre.*please note, on orders over 20 lbs, we charge actual shipping instead of the standard 5%.

Pros

Regular mowing is not required Tolerates dry conditions better than traditional lawns Grows in a variety of conditions (sand to clay) Thrives in full sun to partial shade Slow-growing; tends to flop over when maximum height (~4") is reached Forms a thick flow of lawn

Cons

Not completely maintenance-free Does not tolerate wet soils or heavy shade Good site preparation (removing weeds and weed seed bank) is very important If weeds are present, they grow faster than Eco-Grass Does not stand up to heavy traffic Does not support much biological activity