Marathon Grass: Does This Grass Suit Your Lawn?

Homeowners in warmer climates have a wide variety of disease and drought-tolerant lawn grasses they can choose from. If your goal is to achieve a healthy, lush green lawn despite the temperature extremes, it’s best to consider the viability of your choice of grass. One popular choice ideal for such regions, especially the Southern California climate, is Marathon grass.

This guide looks into everything you may need to know about grass Marathon to help you determine if it’s a good choice for your lawn. Let’s dive in.

What Is Marathon Grass?

Marathon is a heat-resistant turf grass created from a blend of Baja and Hubbard 87, both of which are tall fescues. While some companies produce different versions of this fescue blend, the authentic Marathon turf grass comes from Southland Sod Farms.

Southland Sod Farms produced the first Marathon sod in 1983, particularly for the Southern California climate. Over the years, the popularity of this grass has spread to other regions with similar climates. The company has also developed two varieties of the original Marathon – Marathon II and Marathon III.

Grass Marathon is durable and fast-growing. Its deep root system allows it to thrive in areas receiving high heat and foot traffic. If you have a family with children and pets, you don’t have to worry about foot traffic that can kill your grass.

This grass is also prized for its ability to resist pests and diseases. It will also do well in yards with shades as it exhibits up to 40% shade tolerance. Thankfully, Marathon can withstand salty air and chilly temperatures. It’s good to note that the three types of grass Marathon have varying characteristics. Let’s look into every kind of grass Marathon to see how they differ.

Varieties of Grass Marathon

Before planting Marathon grass in your yard, it’s best to know the differences between the grass varieties.

Marathon I

Marathon I is popularly known as the Original Marathon. It’s a well-rounded and year-round turf grass praised for its beauty and durability. Most homeowners prefer it due to its evergreen color throughout the year. With proper maintenance, its color can boost your property’s appeal and offer a suitable ground for spending time with your family.

The grass does well in residential areas with families who spend much time in their yards. Marathon I can be a great choice if you’re interested in grass that can thrive in recreation areas. This grass is strong and recovers quickly from regular foot traffic.

It’s also a fast-growing grass to replace any destroyed grass quickly. Unlike other varieties, this grass won’t have patches resulting from wear and tear.

You can maintain your Marathon 1 by mowing it at a moderate height. Aim for 2.5 and 3.5 inches in height to achieve the best results. The only downside with this grass is that it may be unpleasant for individuals who love walking or playing barefoot in their yards. Its coarse texture can increase the chances of injuries, especially in children.

Marathon II

Are you interested in a yard that resembles a stunning, lush, and healthy golf course? Marathon II is a popular choice of grass for homeowners looking for more refined and easy-to-care lawns. This grass is an advanced version created from dwarf tall fescue. It’s durable and disease-resistant, so you can rest assured of bringing reliable grass in all seasons.

Marathon II can give your yard a carpet-like look thanks to its short, dense, narrower blades. It’s the kind of grass you’d want to use for your landscape design or accent lawns. This grass will retain its deep green hue and attractiveness with good maintenance.

Unlike Marathon I, Marathon 2 grass grows a bit slower. It can also handle heavy foot traffic, but not one that occurs on a daily basis. With its slightly coarse texture, you can walk around your yard barefoot without sustaining injuries.

When planting this grass, ensure your yard has partial shade, as it requires plenty of sunlight. You’ll want to recreate a golf course or park in your yard. To boost the refined appearance of your Marathon 2 grass, mow it between 2 and 3 inches.

Marathon III

Marathon III is the most advanced version of Southland Sod Farms’ tall fescue. It’s, however, not a good choice for every homeowner since it’s the most delicate among the three varieties. Unlike the other two, the fine-leafed consistency in this grass offers it a more natural look. It’s incredibly dense with a dark green color.

Due to its slow speed of growth, Marathon III is not a good choice for families who spend much of their time on their lawns. It’s a sensitive and delicate grass that can’t handle regular foot traffic. You can only plant this grass if you have no intentions of performing many activities on your lawn.

Another downside of this grass is its slow growth speed, which can result in visible patches that last longer. You’ll also want to plant it in areas with lots of sunlight.

Marathon III has a fine texture for people who prefer walking around barefoot. It’s also ideal for homeowners who prefer grass with the least maintenance. This means you can keep your grass healthy and appealing without frequent mowing. Ensure to mow your Marathon 3 grass between 1.5 and 3 inches.

How to Plant Grass Marathon Seed

While you can buy Marathon sod and establish this grass in your lawn, many homeowners prefer to start from scratch. Sod can be expensive but easy to install while allowing for less maintenance.

When planting Marathon seed, apply about 10-12 lb per 1,000 sq. ft. over bare soil. Prepare the ground by removing any dead grass and weeds. Dig up the ground and loosen the soil by breaking the clumps. Water the area evenly to ensure the soil is damp. Thankfully, this grass can grow in a wide pH range. For better results, ensure your soil pH ranges between 5.0 and 8.5.

Planting seeds over damp soil will allow for speedy germination. After putting the seeds down, use your favorite mulch to cover them. The best option for Marathon seed is straw, mushroom soil, or screened compost.

If all the conditions are favorable, the seeds should germinate within two weeks. Keep the ground well-watered until the young plants get established.

When to Plant Marathon Grass Seed

The best time to plant Marathon seed is during spring or fall. Marathon is a cool-season grass that needs to develop a deep root system to help it resist heat and drought. Spring and fall are suitable seasons, as there’s enough rainfall to support germination and growth. This is also a perfect time to allow the grass to get established and withstand the harsh summer and winter months.

Planting the seed during winter is not recommendable though it can serve the purpose for those who fail to plant in the fall. Winter allows your Marathon seed to enter dormant seeding (cold seeding). For a successful dormant seeding, the soil temperature should be below 10°C (50°F).

You may also plant during early summer, but chances of failure are high, especially without deep and even watering regularly. Research what the local recommendations say about the right time for planting fescue.

How to Care for Grass Marathon

While Marathon is a low-maintenance grass, ensure to do the following for the grass to grow healthy and lush:

Provide Adequate Water

For Marathon grass to thrive, you should water your lawn 2-3 times weekly. Water evenly to maintain adequate moisture in the soil. Marathon is a deep-rooted grass, so you should encourage deep watering. You may water around 1-2 inches to allow the roots to access water.

The grass marathon tends to go dormant when the heat in summer is at its highest. Water your grass intermittently at the peak of summer to keep it alive. This should also allow your grass to recover rapidly when the weather conditions improve.

Mow Weekly

Allow your grass Marathon to grow for about eight weeks before you can start mowing. During this time, the grass has reached a height of 3-3.5 inches. You can begin to mow once every week but slow things down in the summer and winter months.

The recommended mowing heights for the three varieties of grass Marathon are as follows:

• Marathon I: 2.5-3.5 inches
• Marathon II: 2-3 inches
• Marathon III: 1.5-3 inches

Aerate the Soil

Some soil types, such as clay, may not be ideal for planting Marathon. Clay is compacted, and the grass can struggle to grow an extensive root system. Luckily, you can amend the soil by aerating it. In the fall, you can perforate the soil by creating small holes around your lawn.

The small holes will allow air, water, and essential nutrients to find their way into the soil. Ensure the holes are deep enough to give the roots adequate oxygen, water, and nutrients.

Ensure the Grass Accesses Hours of Sunlight

Marathon II and III cannot survive in an area with full shade. The grass requires 50% of daylight hours or filtered light. Typically, your Marathon will survive if your lawn is half-shaded or remains shaded for a 1/2 of the day. Remember, Marathon III grass differs as it requires full sunlight.

Dethatch Your Marathon

Grass Marathon does not produce a lot of grass, so you will only need to dethatch when the need arises. Dethatching removes the thick layer of dead grass on the surface to allow good penetration of air, water, and nutrients.

Fertilize Your Marathon

Research to know the best lawn fertilizer for your Marathon. Generally, the best choice should be a high-nitrogen fertilizer to feed your mature grass year-round.

Eliminate Weed

Weeds can damage your lawn if not controlled. Like any other turf grass, Marathon can’t do well in an area with broadleaf or grassy weeds. You can choose the best herbicide to use in your yard. However, some herbicides are strong chemicals and can kill your Marathon. Consult a professional landscaper or read the label to determine if the product is ideal for your grass.

Is Marathon Grass a Fescue?

Marathon is a fescue. The three varieties of Marathon are species of tall fescue grass. They’re created to be more durable in South California and other similar climates. Marathon II and III are advanced dwarf varieties created from tall fescue.

Marathon Grass vs Tall Fescue

Marathon is a species of tall fescue, so the two have several similarities in their physical appearance. However, they differ in other areas. This comparison table shows the differences between grass Marathon and tall fescue.

Characteristics	Marathon	Tall Fescue
Growth Speed	Marathon I: fastMarathon II: slowMarathon III: slow	Fast
Texture	Marathon I: coarseMarathon II: slightly coarseMarathon III: fine	Coarse
Sun Requirements	Marathon I: full sun or full shadeMarathon II: Full sun or partial shadeMarathon III: full sun	Full sun or partial shade
Mowing Height	Marathon I: 2.5-3.5 inchesMarathon II: 2-3 inchesMarathon III: 1.5-3 inches	2-3 inches
Best For	Marathon I: Families who spend much of their time on their lawns.Marathon II: residential areas that don’t receive daily foot traffic. It can also be ideal for athletic fields and parks.Marathon III: Best for landscape designs and lawns with less foot traffic.	Ideal for lawns that receive less foot traffic. Most homeowners use it for landscape design purposes.

Marathon Grass vs St Augustine

Marathon and St Augustine are popular warm-season grasses you can plant in your yard. If you want to learn how they differ, this table provides their key differences.

Characteristics	Marathon	St Augustine
Growth Speed	Marathon I: fastMarathon II: slowMarathon III: slow	Fast
Texture	Marathon I: coarseMarathon II: slightly coarseMarathon III: fine	Coarse
Sun Requirements	Marathon I: full sun or full shadeMarathon II: Full sun or partial shadeMarathon III: full sun	Full sun or partial shade
Mowing Height	Marathon I: 2.5-3.5 inchesMarathon II: 2-3 inchesMarathon III: 1.5-3 inches	2.5-4 inches
Best For	Marathon I: Families who spend much of their time on their lawns.Marathon II: residential areas that don’t receive daily foot traffic. It can also be ideal for athletic fields and parks.Marathon III: Best for landscape designs and lawns that receive less foot traffic	Best for homeowners living in coastal areas. It can’t thrive in lawns with repeated foot traffic.

Conclusion

Marathon grass is a warm-season grass ideal for homeowners interested in revitalizing the appearance of their lawns. The grass retains its deep green hue and is resistant to diseases/pests throughout the seasons. With proper maintenance, you can achieve a beautiful, lush and healthy lawn with  Marathon grass.