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Little information exists on establishment vigor differences among fine fescue taxa (Festuca L. spp.) and on the effects N fertilizer levels or clover (Trifolium L. spp.)‐inclusion during establishment. Five replicated field experiments in Indiana, Minnesota, and Oregon were conducted from 2019 to 2021. Data collection continued for 9 mo after planting to investigate differences among four fine fescue taxa and determine optimal N fertility or clover‐inclusion programs for the establishment of fine fescue taxa. Six N fertilizer levels ranged from 0 to 122.5 kg N ha−1 during the 8 wk after planting, and two treatments included clover‐inclusion + 0 kg N ha−1 at seeding. The three taxa of the Festuca rubra complex—strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra Gaudin), slender creeping red fescue [F. rubra ssp. littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier], and Chewings fescue (F. rubra ssp. commutata Gaudin)—were similar to one another and required the shortest amount of time until 90% establishment (i.e., faster establishment) compared with hard fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey). Providing 24.5 kg N ha−1 at seeding hastened establishment of all fine fescues compared with no N fertilizer (0 kg N ha−1). Applying 49 kg N ha−1 at establishment provided faster establishment than the 24.5 kg N ha−1 treatment; however, treatments receiving 73.5–122.5 kg N ha−1 during the first 8 wk after planting provided a similar rate of establishment as 49 kg N ha−1. Inclusion of clover with fine fescue resulted in slower establishment than fertilizer levels of ≥24.5 kg N ha−1. Core Ideas: Festuca brevipila has a slower establishment rate than the three Festuca rubra subspecies.Fine fescues should receive 24.5–49 kg N ha−1 during the first 8 wk after planting.Applying >49 kg N ha−1 during the first 8 wk provides negligible benefits.Clover‐inclusion in fine fescue seed mixtures may slow establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]