I haven't heard of that type fescue seed, but in my research I've discovered fescue is a grass that likes poor soil and shade to semi-shade.

Now I'll have you know my research consists of reading various nurseries literature and a bit of my own observations in lawns that I've visited. And the more they recommend chemicals, professional subscription services, and 'Brand Trademarked' plant varieties the more I tend to start treating what they say cautiously.

I was told of a Marathon III fescue yesterday and so searched to try and order seed. It turns out none of them sell the seed but do sell the sod. So the Marathon fescue grass seems to be a California snake oil sales operation selling regular fine fescue sod. Read the description of Marathon fescues and you'll not see much in the way of details on the grass. They are hiding that they are selling a specific wild fescue variety or a most a mix of wild fescue varieties I think until they or someone present proof otherwise.

Stover Bonsai Dwarf Fescue sounds like a similar snake oil sales job as the Marathon fescue to me. I'm a bit more inclined to believe them as you can actually buy the seed at Home Depot. However, they claim this is a 'dwarf' variety of a tall fescue. Fine that is possible but the reviews seem to be bad at Home Depot.

As you live in Zone 9 if you use that type seed I recommend planting in your area's winter season and for Zone 9 that usual coincides with the rainy season.

I actually have a very crummy alkaline clay compacted soil lawn that has to tolerate 80s and 90s in the summer and on closer inspection of my lawn I've discovered besides the patchy dirt spots and many types of weeds (mostly violet, white clover, and ribwort plantain) I actually have a lawn that almost 100% of some type of 'clumping' fescue that grows incredibly slow. If not for the ribwort plantain I don't think I'd even need to mow at all except to create that 'fresh haircut look'. I do get one or two weekly rains for a few hours most weeks that you might not get.

I think to improve my lawn look I need to raise my lawn mower height setting as high as it will go. The fescue is rather brown and some people are call that 'brown patch' but I think it's normal heat dormancy for fescue that goes away in the winter. You can't call everything you don't like a disease.

I can't even order the brand of dwarf fescue seed you mentioned anymore from Home Depot so I think that should caution off.

Fescue needs to be cut at least 3" high and the nursery in Wisconsin that sells a mix of the wild fescue as 'No Mow Lawn' states in transition areas like I live in I have to be willing to water it in summer. He also specifically says that fescues don't like dry clay compacted alkaline soil but you're hard pressed to find anything that does. There is a good reason my yard has only fescue grass and no bluegrass, ryegrass, or other grasses. It just won't grow in my yard.

I'm going to start another thread to see if someone can diagnose a good plan for my yard. I don't want to turn it into a chemical dump but I don't want to be making plantain salad for the next 2 years getting rid of them.

I read the reviews about the Stover Bonsai Dwarf seed as well, and they were pretty bad. I've also read horrible reviews about other brands not germinating when we've had excellent results...
I'm wondering if this grass will even germinate in the high 80's/low 90's. I guess only time will tell.

If you don't mind spending the money on seed twice simply seed now and again in late fall / early winter for your area.

The seed you plant now will lie dormant the ones that don't sprout and are viable except what is eaten or rots until conditions are favorable.

My best guess would be this 'dwarf tall fescue' is mislabeled (it's called marketing by some) 'tall fescue' and you can buy Pennington's or 1/2 dozen other well known brands to are on the up & up and be given better seeding and care instructions to boot.

Junk -- didn't work. When I called they said it only worked when nights stay in the 70's or higher -- that doesn't work for Colorado ever!! Not even sure why it was sold here. What really works is this: Vigoro Grass Seed Tall Fescue Blend

Used Bonsai Fescue several years ago in Richardson, Texas. AKA North Dallas. Hydro-mulched by local firm. Tried it first on the shady northside of two- 4 story buildings. The firm applied it 3 times to work. April, October, and the next March. That is exactly what it took. Stayed green all year with little water versus our Bermuda which browned up from November to April. Best part was only had to mow once a month or every six weeks. Application was at Chrysler Defense Technology locations. Soil was expansive clay with sandy loam.