Left side is my lawn. Shortly after buying the house. Fall 2014

March 2016

March 2016

August 2016

What was your watering schedule during summer?

My plan is to special order quality TTTF this year, first throwing down a light layer of Black Kow composted manure, then covering with peat moss.

I have used only Milorganite fertilizer since March (April, June), and plan to use some in October. I also ordered some Lawn Restore I plan to put down in November.

I am considering ordering dutch (white) clover seeds to blend in as well, at least in the portion of my lawn to the right of the walkway where bermuda wire grass is making my life miserable. Thoughts?

Additionally, I do not water my lawn regularly. I have no irrigation system and refuse to water my lawn all throughout summer (environmental/economic reasons). I only watered it a few times when it had not rained for a while. I realize my fescue will probably go dormant during the hottest months, but I don't think it should look as bad as it does.

I always mow on the highest setting.

Thanks. Appreciate any feedback.

If you refuse to water your cool season grass through summer then you cannot expect to have green grass at the end. Fescue in particular transitions from dormancy to death very quickly, especially in zone 8. Quality seed isn't going to change that.

You can get away with using very little water, especially with a lawn that size, but it needs to be applied in the right quantity at the right time. Use a 6" screwdriver and try to push it into the soil. If it goes in all the way, then no water is needed. If it doesn't then you need to water, and water until the screwdriver penetrates all the way. Then wait to water again until the screwdriver doesn't go in anymore. I probably only had to water 6 times so far this summer to keep my lawn green using that method, some years are going to be better than others. You're looking at maybe $60 a month for the 3 summer months to keep your grass alive.

Agree with j4c11. If you are against watering you should consider a different plan like a rock garden or something. If you have to redo your lawn every year I don't see how there is a benefit environmentally or economically. I would venture to say the the impact is actually worse.

Why did you dethatch in 2015? Seems really early to do on such a young lawn.

I also notice in a couple of pictures that there are grass clipping & leaves in the street. Are you mulching?

Yes I am mulching. I don't think I need to water every week for my grass to look decent because much of the grass stays mostly green. It is just certain parts. I have trouble areas. I bought cheaper seed last year, Jonathan Green K-31 mixed with Pennington Tall Fescue. Going to get quality TTTF recommended for my area this year. We will see.

Plus it isn't as if the whole lawn has died or gone dormant. it is only specific parts of the lawn. many parts are staying green in the same areas.

I'm sorry if I come across an ass, but I am lost here. You post information detailing problems and concerns, you requested feedback, feedback is provided, you state the feedback will not be used and that you will continue doing what you are doing. Are you looking for different/alternative feedback other than "water you lawn" or am I missing something?

Again, I'm sorry if I come across badly. I'm newer to the forums also but I have ever read any of the senior folks here expecting to get good lawn results without providing the lawn with basic needs. There are a number of folks here who do not water their lawn, especially in drought restrictions but they understand that their lawn will not look it's best.

Looking at your pictures you can have a beautiful lawn if you just supplemented you're rainfall with water. You have areas of your lawn up against trees, mulch, concrete/pavement, etc. You have contours that result in runoff away from certain areas as well as contours onto certain areas. Unless you can eliminate all of the above, areas of your lawn will respond differently given the exact same amount of rainfall, hence the need to supplement areas with watering.

If you mowed higher, yes you may require less water. If you used more organic fertilizers, yes you may require less water. If you added water retention amendments to your soil, yes you may require less water. But doing all of this may still result in some areas outperforming others due to you lawn's layout. The most easy thing to do may simply be to spend 5 minutes every week or two spraying a hose on areas that look a little stressed.

I am not looking to have the best lawn on the block during summer, or even all year really. I am looking to have a better, more uniform lawn.

1. I stated I am not going to water my lawn every week during the summer because it is not economical. Water might help, but it won't solve the problem. The problem started back in April with spots dying off, when water wasn't an issue. Additionally, it isn't my whole lawn, just certain areas. If lack of water was the main issue, much more of the lawn would struggling. The evidence suggests there is another issue.

2. I never stated I will continue to do what I am doing. Last year I half-assed it and used cheap seed. This year I am going to special order quality seed that works well in my area, among other things. Using composted topsoil as a top dressing and covering with peat moss again to help with germination. I've also since switched to organic fertilizers.

3. Yes. I am looking for alternative/additional feedback.

The problem started back in April with spots dying off, when water wasn't an issue.

Funny you should say that, in the picture labelled April 2016 the hell strip is showing clear signs of drought stress.

It might be helpful to see your neighbor's lawn in the photos of your stressed lawn. Does he have more shade? lower elevation than you? watering more than you? different type of grass?

From what you have posted, it is the high points and the parts near your pavement that are dying out. In fact, in your hell strip the worst part is bordered on 3 sides by pavement, while the area to the left of the tree is the best part. This all points to lack of water, but honestly I don't know if even more water would solve the problem. If the problem is excessive heat near pavement, there's not much you can do, even with Superhero strength seed.