St. Augustine Alternative for Michigan: Tall Fescue

A Detroit-area homeowner misses St. Augustine grass from the South and wants a similar look in Michigan.

Why St. Augustine Fails in Michigan

Warm-season grass; zero cold tolerance. Dies at first hard freeze.

Best Substitute: Turf-Type Tall Fescue

• Coarse, wide blades similar to St. Augustine.
• Excellent shade tolerance (like St. Augustine).
• Cool-season: green spring/fall, may brown in summer heat without irrigation.
• Deep roots handle short droughts.
• Mow at 3 inches with sharp blade (tough leaves dull blades fast).

Varieties to Seek

Improved cultivars: 'Houndog V', 'Falcon II', 'Pixie', 'Rebel IV'. Avoid Kentucky-31 or Alta (coarse, clumpy).

Management

• Irrigate deeply in summer to prevent dormancy.
• Overseed annually in fall to maintain density (bunch grass).
• Fertilize primarily in fall.

Tall fescue gives the closest visual and functional match for a northern lawn.