Dear Chris

Thank you very much for your inquiry. Tall fescue is a good grass for droughty soils such as yours, the establishment is the issue. First, tillering of plants is promoted by mowing and fertility (the watering in Michigan this year by Mother nature has been just fine). Therefore, I am suggesting that you continue to fertilize this grass on a 4-5 week schedule until it has filled in. Use a soluble nitrogen carrier, even a starter fertilizer if you have any left over.

If you want to overseed, keep using the tall fescue (assuming that it is a turf type here), and mix Kentucky bluegrass in as well. See the tall fescue at a 5 lb/1000 ft2 and the KBG at 1.0 lb/1000ft2. Keep the fertility up during this time frame.

Mowing will increase density and should be done as frequently as possible to promote tillering. Twice a week would be a good start.

Again, thanks for the question and let me know if you have more.

Respectfully

Trey Rogers
The Yard Doctor