Effect of Mowing Height on the Appearance, Density, and Weed Competitiveness of Native and Adapted Fine Fescues, Poster Board #242

The fine fescues have many characteristics that are beneficial to use in a landscaped yard but it has yet to establish itself as a prominent choice either by homeowners or contractors. Specifically, native fine fescues have adapted to arid environments and require much less water usage to sustain a visibly pleasing appearance such as that of the traditional Kentucky bluegrass. Little information is available on the behavior of most of our native and adapted grasses in a turfgrass situation.  Thirteen Montana native and adapted fine fescue species and mixes were grown in 90' x 5' plots and tested during the growing season of 2010 and 2011.  Subplots measuring 3.5’ wide, intersecting the species plots, were mowed at four  heights: unmown, and 3.2, 7, or 10.8 cm. Before plots were mown each week, overall height of the subplots was recorded.  Fescue density and weed infiltration were measured at the end of the growing season.  Homeowners and students were surveyed on their preference for the various species and mowing height.  Several fine fescue species exhibited slow growth, produced very little biomass between mowings, and would therefore require little to no mowing.  Density and weed suppression was high for most of the species, with lower densities and lower weed suppression occurring at the lowest mowing height.  Homeowners preferences for species depended on the mowing height.