How to Grow Kentucky 31 Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue
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Kentucky 31 Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
grassKentucky 31 is a deep-rooted, drought-tolerant cool-season perennial grass widely used for pasture, hay production, and erosion control. The endophyte-free variety lacks the naturally occurring fungal endophyte that can cause toxicity in grazing livestock while retaining excellent forage quality and durability. This cultivar is prized for its exceptional persistence, disease resistance, and adaptability across diverse climates and soil types.
When should you plant Kentucky 31 Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue in your zone?
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Example Kentucky 31 Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Kentucky 31 Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Kentucky 31 Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; optimal in cooler temperate regions (zones 5-8)
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds germinate within 7-14 days with adequate moisture and 50-70°F soil temperature; tiny grass shoots emerge with first true leaves appearing by week 2-3
Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging; avoid grazing or mowing until plants have 3-4 true leaves; keep seedbed firm but not compacted
Vegetative Growth & Tillering
4-8 weeksRapid leaf and shoot development; plants develop secondary shoots (tillers) from the base; root system deepens significantly
Allow adequate time before first grazing (8-10 weeks post-seeding); provide nitrogen fertilizer if needed; mow weeds that outcompete seedlings
Root Establishment
8-16 weeksDeep taproot and fibrous root system develops extensively; plants become increasingly drought-tolerant
Minimize disturbance; avoid heavy grazing during first season; deep roots can reach 4-6 feet in favorable conditions
Spring/Fall Growth Peak
Variable, 4-6 weeks per growth cycleMaximum growth occurs in spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate (60-75°F) and moisture is adequate; boot and heading stages occur in late spring
First cutting/grazing usually 8-10 weeks after seeding; harvest at boot to early heading stage for hay (highest nutritive value); rotate pastures to maintain plant vigor
Dormancy & Winter Hardiness
December-March in northern zonesPlants enter dormancy in winter; above-ground growth ceases but root system remains active in cool soil; regrows in spring from crown
Avoid overgrazing in late fall and winter; allow adequate residual height (2-3 inches) for spring recovery; dormancy increases cold and frost tolerance
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for damage; apply insecticide if infestations are severe; encourage natural predators; rotate pastures
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Scout regularly; use pyrethroid insecticides if threshold populations reached; graze heavily to remove damaged foliage
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Usually not economically damaging; promote vigorous growth through fertility and moisture management
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Tolerate light grazing damage; apply insecticides only if severe economic loss expected
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Monitor for silk tunnels and skeletonized leaves; maintain pasture vigor; chemical control rarely needed in forage settings
Uses
Livestock Forage
CulinaryKentucky 31 endophyte-free is a premium forage grass for cattle, sheep, and horses, providing nutritious pasture and hay. Its absence of the ergot-alkaloid-producing endophyte eliminates fescue toxicity syndrome in livestock, while retaining high digestibility and palatability. [source]
Pasture & Hay Production
HouseholdProduces 2-3 hay cuttings annually in favorable climates, yielding 2-4 tons dry matter per acre. Deep root system provides exceptional drought tolerance, reducing irrigation needs on marginal lands. [source]
Erosion Control & Soil Stabilization
HouseholdExtensive root system prevents soil erosion on slopes, streambanks, and disturbed areas. Quickly establishes dense cover and is widely used in reclamation and conservation projects. [source]
Wildlife Habitat
WildlifeProvides cover and forage for gamebirds (quail, pheasant), waterfowl, and upland wildlife. Dense growth structure offers nesting and escape habitat for ground-nesting species. [source]
Turf & Reclamation
HouseholdUsed in cool-climate turf mixtures for athletic fields, golf course rough, and industrial sites. Excellent wear tolerance and persistence under stress make it ideal for heavy-use areas. [source]
Harvest Tips
For hay: Cut at boot to early heading stage (late May to early June in northern climates) for highest nutritive value; achieve 2-3 cuttings per season depending on rainfall and latitude. For pasture: Begin grazing 8-10 weeks after seeding; rotate to fresh paddocks every 3-4 weeks in growing season; maintain 2-4 inch stubble height; defer fall grazing to allow regrowth before dormancy. For seed production: Allow flowering in early summer; harvest seed in mid to late summer when seed heads dry (typically August-September).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Kentucky 31 was released by the University of Kentucky in 1931 and became the most widely planted tall fescue cultivar in North America, accounting for millions of acres of pasture and hay.
- 🌱 The endophyte-free version was developed to eliminate fescue toxicity syndrome (also called 'fescue foot'), a serious livestock disease caused by ergot-alkaloid toxins produced by the Neotyphodium coenophialum fungus; endophyte-infected KY-31 can cause reduced weight gain, lameness, and reproductive failure in cattle and sheep.
- 🌱 Kentucky 31's exceptional drought tolerance comes from its deep root system, which can penetrate 4-6 feet into the soil, allowing it to access water unavailable to shallow-rooted species, making it valuable in semi-arid regions.
Gardening Terms
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