[rhosch]

Will start building soon on about 4 acres dry ground in Jackson MS. This is currently pasture-like grass (bahia and other clump grasses, lots of weeds) and I'd love to move to a true turf grass either during build or sometime after. Started a thread in warm season forum about options, how to prepare lot etc but had a specific question about fescues and it was suggested a post here might get more feedback.

The 4 acres gently slopes to a couple of ponds in the back, and the property is dotted with large trees, mostly oaks... probably 30 or so. Large majority would get shade at least a couple of hours each day, some areas shade all day except a couple of hours around high noon.

Not a huge fan of Bermuda, and not sure it would cope well with that much shade. Other common local grasses are centipede, St. Augustine, and zoysia. Because of the lot size anything not growable from seed is a non-starter.

I've read what I could about improved tall fescues in warm climates, like Titan rx/ultra. I do like the idea of the lawn being at its best fall through spring and being more dormant in summer. Manufacturer website, testimonials, YouTube videos etc make it seem like it would thrive all the way to the Honduras. I would be able to irrigate the lawn appropriately.

Is that a non-starter? Anyone here have direct experience, good or bad, with titan ultra or similar grass in this or other similar climate? Are the summer water demands outrageous? Is it disease prone in the summer even if you can keep it alive? Does it require constant fall reseeding?

Any feedback is appreciated. I'm going to take some soil samples soon to know what the native topsoil looks like. If I would have to add several inches of topsoil to grow any turf grass then... well, I'm going to enjoy some bahia.

 

[social port]

Well, I will say that you are really, really far south to be growing TTTF.
Have you looked at any NTEP studies of fescue for your region? That might give you a sense of how this is likely to go.
Fescue requires about one inch of water per week, though with your heat, it may require more. Having some partial shade might actually be an advantage.
You should plan to reseed fescue every fall. I am not saying that that is a given, but it is a reasonable expectation. It just thins out over the summer, and doesn't have the spreading ability of KBG.
Fescue is prone to disease in hot and humid climates. Arguably, the worst is brown patch. Bad news. Many people who grow fescue in the transition zone use preventative applications of fungicide.
Caring for Four acres of turf will require an enormous amount of time and money. Mowing alone will keep you plenty busy (expect every 3-4 days in the spring).
I'm not trying to discourage you-not at all. Fescue is a beautiful grass, and if at all possible, I think you would be happy tending it. I just want you to know what is likely to be involved.

 

[rhosch]

I looked at the NTEP data but other than their brief explanation of 1-9 with 6 being acceptable, I don't have much reference for just what that translates to in everyday experience. Most TTTF as far as I can tell are rated in the low 6's. So, OK but not great?

Every 3-4 days... geez, that is rough. Obviously I don't have a lot of experience with the fescues. I can mow the 4 acres in under 3 hours, probably will be closer to 2 once house/pool are built and trees are trimmed up. But still... once a week would be plenty enough!

I guess I'm searching for some magic grass. That's what the thread in the warm season forum was about. With 4 acres it would have to be something that grows well from seed. That, combined with wanting it to actually look nice, combined with MS climate, doesn't leave a lot of options I guess.

 

[social port]

You could use PGR. That would reduce the mowing frequency. I don't use it, so I can't really advise re its use in fescue.

It is really difficult to assign labels to those numbers.
One of my cultivars was rated at 7.5 for my area. It is doing well here.
I might take my chances on a 6.