I'm certainly not trying to pick a fight, and I regret that my posting may have come across that way. Bestlawn has done a better job than I ever could have in advancing the homeowners' knowledge of modern cultivars. Ironic, perhaps, since that was the exact reason I joined this forum several years ago--to spread the word that there are lots of great grasses out there that only the professionals know about--and if we homeowners knew about them and badgered the suppliers en masse maybe we could buy and enjoy them also. All of the cultivars Bestlawn and I have mentioned are excellent, and you would do well with any of them. I guess my point was that if you look critically at the NTEP data, taking into account the LSD values and the cultural practices employed at the particular sites, it can be pretty hard to find meaningful differences between any of the good, modern varieties. This becomes even more evident if you go and look at the NTEP plots in person. I annually visit those at Michigan State University, and now fully understand why the Michigan rankings are so flat. About the only KBG cultivar you can pick out at a distance is Kenblue. The differences between all the newer, better cultivars are tiny. This is even more so with tall fescue. Only Kentucky 31 stands out. The rest are all dense and dark green. So, if Blue Velvet sounds good to you (it IS an excellent cultivar) and you have a good source for it, by all means sow it and enjoy it. Kingfisher has done pretty well in the NTEP, but there are several other America-types that have a long and lusty track record against things like shade and powdery mildew. I haven't seen Bewitched, at least not by that name--maybe it was an experimental in the previous NTEP. In summary, you could probably put together dozens of KBG blends that would perform just as well as the Magnificent Three, but I feel confident that that blend will work great anywhere KBG is adapted. Plus, we have some folks on this board who have the lawns to show it. Happy glyphosating and sowing, A.J.

Jim, sorry about the delay, I have been very busy at work and even had family come up to visit for a few days. You wrote: "He said he did the same at his house and he can see where the kbg is more dominant than the fescue in the shadier areas, but it looked really nice and the colors blended well." This is incorrect all the way to the bank. TTTF will dominate KBG in the shade. In full sun and when irrigated or watered by mother nature, KBG will dominate the stand. KBG is not shade tolerant, the reason people think the grass does better in the shade is because water evaporates from the soil at a MUCH faster rate in full sun than in shade - that same applies to TTTF. In regards to the Midnight II, I have mixed reviews on it. On its first year of establishment, it can get affected by Rust in the Spring, then Leaf Spot or Summer Patch in the summer. Now, this is when seeded as a monostand. When you mix KBG with TTTF, both grasses will benefit as far as disease pressure. TTTF becomes more tolerant of Brown Patch, and KBG becomes more tolerant of Summer Patch and Leaf Spot. It is true that BOB blend is always changing, and that is because that blend is also suppose to be fairly priced. The good thing is they always include at least 1 Midnight type Bluegrass in the blend. Midnight Star is probably the best variety to mix/overseed TTTF. It has excellent performance in the Raleigh area, Medium blade (still finer than the finest blade tall fescue) and very dark green color when fertilized properly. The KBGs that looked the best at the most recent Turfgrass Field Day at the NTEP site in Raleigh were mostly from Simplot, here are some of the names: 1.- Everest 2.- NuDestiny 3.- Prosperity 4.- Excursion 5.- Bariris 6.- Baron 7.- America 8.- Midnight (this is the original) The best two from that list IMO are Everest and Excursion. They showed the most density, darker green generic color, and zero disease/summer damage. The list above is in no particular order, however, Everest and Excurstion rated top based on my visual ratings. Midnight II should serve you well when mixed in with TTTF, but it will lose its dark green color during the summer months. However, once temperatures cooled and fertilizer is applied, the beautiful dark green color returns. You can overseed this weekend, don't wait much longer than Sept. 1st because unlike TTTF, KBG seeds can take up to 30 days to germinate even under ideal conditions. The good news is that the seeds are SO small that they get everywhere, so seed to soil contact is higher than TTTF. A slit seeder will work very well, too. Be sure to bring your TTTF lawn down to 1.5 inches and bag your clippings. Maintain that hieght until you have mowed your new KBG seedlings 3 times, then a bring it up to 2.5 inches NO higher so KBG can spread. I hope this helps...

Philes, I so appreciate your kind words and sorely regret their necessity against such egregious statements and accusations. Of course, I have no idea what "Wow" means, but I surely won't ask. I hope you know I do not at all want or expect any particular gratitude from anyone. I do what I enjoy and hope it helps, as you say. Diyourselfer, I apologize your thread was highjacked and for my contribution to that. I don't know if you saw my last response to let you know the kbg will dominate over time. Then, I wanted to suggest seeding methods. I really don't think it will help at all to use the same mix since you're not happy with it, in that it yields neither the dark color or wider blade you want. I think I would suggest going with both NuGlade and Moonlight. Both will give you the dark color you desire and Moonlight is a somewhat wider blade. I see you can purchase both from Arkansas Valley Seed, 303-320-7500. Keep in mind what Morpheus said about the varied growth habits. I should clarify Steps 4 & 6 to let you know you really don't want to core aerate and slit seed both. If you use the slit seeding method, then apply Nitron before or after on watering day.

You need a fine bladed dark fescue. Check NTEP tests for your area, they rate both attributes. Rhambler should fit the bill.