★ Best of Both Worlds Hybrid
Best Festulolium Seed: The Ryegrass × Fescue Hybrid That Combines Speed with Persistence
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Festulolium
by Wicked Tuff Turf — Littleton, New Hampshire
Festulolium
×Festulolium (Festuca × Lolium)
"The hybrid advantage. Festulolium germinates like ryegrass (5-10 days), tastes like ryegrass to livestock, but persists like fescue through drought and cold stress that kills pure ryegrass stands."
First emergence: 5-7
Establishment
Zones 3-7
Hardiness Range
Moderate
Maintenance
Grass
Category
Ryegrass Speed
Fescue Drought Tolerance
Top Palatability
Better Winter Survival
Vigorous Regrowth
Dual-Purpose Turf/Pasture
Spring or Fall Planting
Trusted by 20,000+ Growers
| Species | Festulolium (×Festulolium (Festuca × Lolium)) |
| Growth Habit | Bunch-type to semi-spreading depending on cross type. Vigorous tillering. Rapid regrowth after cutting or grazing. |
| Root Depth | 4-6 inches (deeper than ryegrass parent, inherits fescue root characteristics) |
| Establishment | First emergence: 5-7 days. Grazable: 6-8 weeks. Mature stand: 6-12 months. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-7 |
| Maintenance | Moderate |
| Category | Grass |
| Available Sizes | 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb |
What We Love
- Combines ryegrass speed with fescue drought tolerance
- Top-tier livestock palatability
- Better winter persistence than pure ryegrass
- Vigorous regrowth supports intensive grazing
- Dual-purpose: productive pasture and functional lawn
Worth Noting
- Not for ornamental lawns — coarser texture
- Newer species — less long-term field data than established grasses
Buy on Old Cobblers Farm →
Available in 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb
The Competition
Barfest Festulolium
by Barenbrug
High Sugar / Dairy Quality
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$140 - $160
Festulolium Seed
by Hancock Seed
Rapid Establishment
Purity / Germ
Sizes5, 25, 50 lb
Price$30 - $130
Spring Green Festulolium
by Albert Lea Seed
Fescue base, cold survival
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$110 - $130
Festulolium Seed
by Deer Creek Seed
Fescue hardiness + Rye nutrition
Purity / Germ
Sizes5, 50 lb
Price$25 - $140
Perun Festulolium
by Kings AgriSeeds
Exceptional winter survival
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$130 - $160
Festulolium Pasture Seed
by Nature's Seed
Spring/Fall surge growth
Purity / Germ
Sizes1, 5, 25 lb
Price$15 - $120
Festulolium (Perun)
by Welter Seed
High yield forage
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$115 - $125
Festulolium Forage Seed
by Outsidepride
Ryegrass energy/Fescue roots
Purity / Germ
Sizes5, 25, 50 lb
Price$35 - $130
Hostyn Festulolium
by DLF Pickseed
Deep roots / drought tolerance
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$140 - $160
Festulolium Blend
by Seedway
Cold-weather adaptable
Purity / Germ
Sizes50 lb
Price$120 - $140
| Feature | Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Festulolium | Barfest Festulolium | Festulolium Seed | Spring Green Festulolium | Festulolium Seed | Perun Festulolium | Festulolium Pasture Seed | Festulolium (Perun) | Festulolium Forage Seed | Hostyn Festulolium | Festulolium Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purity / Germ | High Sugar / Dairy Quality | Rapid Establishment | Fescue base, cold survival | Fescue hardiness + Rye nutrition | Exceptional winter survival | Spring/Fall surge growth | High yield forage | Ryegrass energy/Fescue roots | Deep roots / drought tolerance | Cold-weather adaptable | |
| Sizes | 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb | 50 lb | 5, 25, 50 lb | 50 lb | 5, 50 lb | 50 lb | 1, 5, 25 lb | 50 lb | 5, 25, 50 lb | 50 lb | 50 lb |
| Price | $140 - $160 | $30 - $130 | $110 - $130 | $25 - $140 | $130 - $160 | $15 - $120 | $115 - $125 | $35 - $130 | $140 - $160 | $120 - $140 | |
| Brand | Old Cobblers Farm | Barenbrug | Hancock Seed | Albert Lea Seed | Deer Creek Seed | Kings AgriSeeds | Nature's Seed | Welter Seed | Outsidepride | DLF Pickseed | Seedway |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How long does it take for the seed to germinate?
Germination typically occurs within 7-14 days under optimal conditions with consistent moisture and temperatures between 60-75°F.
-
What is the best time of year to plant this grass seed?
The ideal planting times are early fall (late August to mid-October) or spring (mid-April to early June) when soil temperatures are favorable for germination.
-
What do the numbers on the seed tag mean?
The seed tag shows purity percentage (amount of pure seed), germination rate (percentage that will sprout), weed seed content, and other crop or inert matter. Higher purity and germination percentages indicate better quality seed.
-
What is the recommended seeding rate per 1,000 square feet?
For new lawns, apply 3-4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. For overseeding existing lawns, use 2-3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
-
Is it better to use a single species or a seed mix?
A single species like Kentucky Bluegrass provides uniformity in color and texture, while a mix offers better disease resistance and adaptability to varying conditions. Your choice depends on your priorities for appearance versus resilience.
