Frequently Asked Questions
Does Titan Ultra have good heat tolerance?
The short answer is YES! But here’s the long answer, in case you want to know.
Both Titan Rx and Titan Ultra have good heat tolerance because they both share similar lineage. In the plant world, breeders select multiple parents, or lines for cross-breeding and developing genetic traits for new varieties. Titan Rx and Titan Ultra share some, but not all parental lines, meaning that they have many similarities, and some differences. Heat tolerance is one of the traits they share.
Titan Ultra and Titan Rx have been independently tested throughout the country as part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). Over a 5-year study, Titan Ultra performed equal to Titan Rx in all of the hottest locations, including Arkansas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Missouri, and Virginia.
How do I plant the Titan grasses?
The Titans can be used for new lawns, overseeding, and touching up bare spots. When seeding for each of these situations, there are similar basic instructions.
The potential of having a successful lawn is directly related to the quality of the soil. Anything you can do to improve your soil will result in a better lawn. This includes taking a soil test, reducing weed populations and solving any known problems with too low or too high of pH, too much or too little water, moss, dense shade, and uneven surfaces. Take time to address these situations before you plant your seed. Your lawn will show the difference.
To find out more, visit the planting page for in-depth instructions, or watch our video tutorials.
What spreader setting should I use?
Every spreader manufacturer has their own setting and they change from model to model. The following are settings that Scotts® indicates for their spreaders. For best results, visit your spreader manufacture’s websites:
Scotts® Hand-Held Spreaders
Reseeding: 5
New Lawn/Bare Spot Repair: 5
*
Scotts® Broadcast/Rotary Spreaders
Reseeding: 12
New Lawn/Bare Spot Repair: 14½
Scotts® Drop Spreaders
Reseeding: 10
New Lawn/Bare Spot Repair: 15
Scotts® EasyGreen
Reseeding: 30
New Lawn/Bare Spot Repair: 31
*
* go over lawn twice
What is tall fescue?
Tall fescue, or Festuca arundinacea, is a cool-season grass, widely adapted and used in many parts of the world, for both turfgrass (lawns, parks) and forage uses (pastures, hay, grazing). The first US variety was called Kentucky-31, selected and developed in Kentucky around 1931. Since then there have been many improvements, although some people still use Kentucky-31 because it is inexpensive.
How long before my lawn germinates?
When the temperature and soil moisture are ideal, you could see new seedlings emerge after 7 days. If however, those two variables are not ideal, it will probably take longer.
How do I get grass rhizome to spread into bare areas?
Plants have certain times when they do certain things. For example, each year a perennial plant will try to reproduce itself and put energy into making seed. This is when they become stemmy. The same is true for rhizome production. We usually see rhizome production most active in the spring and in the fall; mostly in the spring. If your bare spot is bigger than 3" in diameter, consider adding some seed, as open spots can become home to weeds faster than the surrounding grass plants can fill in that large of a void.
There are reasons why bare spots exists. For instance, there may be problems with the soil in that area, which either prevents grass from growing or makes it difficult for it to continue to live. Take a look at your bare spots and see if there are obvious issues with the soil. If not, and if the spot continues to either stay bare or become bare again each year, consider replacing or amending the soil.
You can find more information, photos and videos on the rhizome page.
Will Titan grasses handle the heat?
The Titan grasses have many valuable benefits, one being improved heat tolerance. All cool-season grasses do better when temperatures are more mild, but the Titan tall fescues, especially Titan Rx, seems to be able to handle more heat than a number of other cool-season grasses. Take a look at this example from research conducted at the University of Georgia south of Atlanta on heat tolerance.
When should I plant?
The best times to plant Titan grasses is in the fall and the spring, when soil temperature are at least 55℉. Tall fescue has trouble growing about 90℉ and will need a few weeks or more to get established. Think about your 'window' to allow germination and establishment before the weather gets too hot or too cold.
When do I fertilize?
We recommend fertilizing with a starter fertilizer at time of seeding. Make sure to use a starter fertilizer, as it will include extra phosphorous to help the plants early growth. It is also very important to check the pH value for your soil. If it is under 5.7, add lime to improve the pH levels. Your soil may need other amendments in addition to food (or fertilizer) for the grass. The best way to know your needs is to get a soil test to actually determine your lawns fertility needs. If this is not possible, check with your local extension agency or nursery to find the recommendations for your area. There is good data that shows late fall applications are very helpful in root development. These may be more important and beneficial than early spring fertilizer applications.
How deep are the roots?
Root depth is significantly affected by soil type. Harder/heavier soils, like clay restrict root growth, whereas sandy, and sandy-loam soils allow roots to grow very deep – up to 6 feet.
What will my lawn look like in the winter?
That depends. If you live in the Upper Midwest or New England, it might look white and be buried under 2 feet of snow. :) If you live in Georgia, California, or Oregon, it will look nice and dark green. If somewhere in-between, it might go dormant, where it will loose some of its green color and go toward a light brown, straw-like color, depending how long it stays dormant.
What is the difference between T.L.C. and the Titan varieties?
Each of the Titan varieties are individual cultivars with genetics that are specific to themselves. They have many characteristics that are similar, but each has its own unique characteristics. Its sort of like a family with three brothers. Bob, James, and Fred all may be children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Because of that, they all will have "Jones genes", but each will have their own special characteristics and personalities. Each of the Titan characteristics are listed under their product description; sort of like describing James or Fred. T.L.C. is a blend or a combination of these cultivars, sort of like looking at the family unit as a whole.
How can I make a clay dirt field grow?
It is tough to grow tall fescue on clay, but not impossible. Most important is to increase your soil pH by adding lime. If possible, increase the organic matter either by introducing through cultivation, or frequent topdressings and aerations.