Can you give us some more details on where you are? Zone 6 only tells us how cold it gets in the winter. I'm technically in zone 6, but I say zone 5 because people assume too much about zones. My lawn is mostly native grasses, with a few introduced grasses and some clover. I don't fertilize and I water three times a year (most of my neighbors probably water more than 100 times a year).

In Wyoming, zone 3, I would probably discourage using PR or TTTF if you have very cold winters. TTTF and PR can suffer cold kill in very low temps. Also if you have a lot of snow cover, then TTTF will probably have snow mold every year, which can also kill areas of turf. Fine fescues are very hardy once established, requiring little in the way of fertilizer or water but dormancy can be expected in hot, dry summers. If you go that route then I would probably use mostly creeping red fescue as it spreads, but be sure and get a named cultivar, not boreal which is actually common CRF. Kentucky bluegrass is also a good choice, but for your area you would need to choose a cultivar(s) that have very good spring green up and good cold tolerance. Many cultivars that do very well in lower latitudes will be dormant well into spring in your climate. -Can I mix a tall fescue mix with a fine fescue mix for more diversity or would this create all sorts of problems? You can mix most grasses, but you may not like how they look, and again, TF might have issues with cold kill/snow mold. -Will the KBG eventually out compete the Tall Fescues in the Defiance mix? No, but any areas of TF that die will probably fill in with KBG and or weeds, so over time you might have a predominantly KBG lawn. -Is it a problem or a benefit to have the perennial rye mixed in with the fine fescues? I have read perennial rye needs more water and fertilizer than fine fescues. Most seed mixes have some PR in them. The main reason is because it acts as a nurse grass, and makes consumers happy because they see germination in such short order. Unfortunately PR grows very fast when mature, and will not give you a consistent lawn. It does require more water and fertilzer than CRF too, as well as more frequent mowing.

Obviously you are in a tough situation since the temps will be so high plus with needing to water it numerous times a day ... hot + wet might cause other issues. I'm no expert... but maybe do some research on seeding down an annual rye grass since they germinate quickly (less then 2 weeks) and get up and running quickly. maybe you can get some green fuzz. The problem again will be the high temps for this seed too. Then just plan to seed your final lawn grass seed in the fall like normal. Since you are on a farm.... is there any back areas of you property that has decent grass? you could look into renting a sod cutter... do a transplant... and then deal with reseeding that back area in the fall. Also... isn't the ground all churned up? and high in areas? When they do the water line replacements around here... it seems to take a season for the soil to settle back into place.

Susan, oh my, thank you so much for your lovely surprise....I just opened my mail and found delicious kisses.....and your Christmas card....and your "Everyday............. .............I absoloutley love what that said. I don't want to spoil it for others. Thank you so much! What a delight!! And so thoughtful! Annie