Wow, I was surprised to see this thread still alive. Here's the recap on what happened last year: The 2007 June-July-August heat and drought combined with a vacation basically killed the TTPR after it had been fantastic in the fall and spring, so when I was deciding whether to repeat the experiment by overseeding (really starting over) in year 2, I decided to change to the more drought/heat tolerant TTTF and try to find some cultivars with a thinner blade and dark green color. Of course, this spring of 2008 has been plenty wet and not too hot thus far, so any cool season grass would likely be doing very well at the moment, as is the TTTF. I will try to post some pictures soon. It has been filling in nicely, but is still clearly in year 1. It has a lot of maturing to do. One thing for certain, the TTPR grew MUCH faster that the current TTTF - I sure do not miss the cutting 3-times a week I had to do last spring. I now have the annual weeds under control and my current plan is to aerate and overseed again at labor day with some more TTTF. Last summer demonstrated that TTPR in the transition zone is water dependent, which made it a high-maintenance, and generally poor chooice for the drought last summer.

I overseeded a yard once with P rye and fescue. The problem is that P rye often sprouts sooner and grows much faster, thereby shading out/outcompeting the fescue so that you wind up with almost all P rye. As you notice now, it goes mostly dormant in the hot months. It will come back (if it has water) in the fall and winter. But, while that is good as about 10 percent mix in a yard, as a majority of a yard, most don't like it. To get more fescue you will have to thin or remove the P rye. Mine was never a big enough part of the percentage to make for a good look. I finally re-did the area in question to all fescue last fall. Annual rye dies after one growing season. P Rye comes back as mentioned above.

Fescue-rye mixes are quite common blends sold labeled as shade tolerant or cools season lawn grass nationwide. It is just a blend of inexpensive common type fescue and rye grasses.

Thanks a lot for all the responses. I have purchased the rye grass seed and I will overseed it very soon. I am concerned about weakening the existing grass, but I just have to try and see this year and decide whether it is better to have the bermuda weakened or to put up with brown grass half of the year. :) Anyway, before I go ahead, I have some final questions in my mind: #1 Here is the current state of my lawn. It is not completely dormant I guess, but almost. Do you think it is better to wait a bit more so that it goes completely dormant, or should I overseed it right now? The weather is expected to be around high 60's (F), max 70F during the day and mid 50's (F), minimum 53- 54 (F) during the night until the end of October. #2 The place that I purchased the seed advised me to apply the seed at a rate of 30 g. per square meters (approx. 6.5 lb per 1000 sq. feet). Is this a good amount? #3 After I overseed, I know I have to water frequently, but refrain from creating a pond on top. Here, the soil is always wet now in the mornings because of the dew, so I suppose, watering early in the morning and at night isn't necessary? Is once midday and once early in the evening with the sprinkler system sufficient? #4 I believe my current grass is not common bermuda, but a variety instead (more dense and thinner and finer looking blades). Is it possible to identify it? Here are two more closer pictures: