Dear OK Rose

Thank you very much for your inquiry. I still think your best bet for this situation is Tall Fescue, not creeping red fescue. Tall fescue has much more heat tolerance and can do ok in summer under shade if treated correctly. First, reestablish the tall fescue as leaves begin to turn colors in late October. You will need to blow off leaves, not rake them in November as grass is establishing. Fertilize and grow grass while leaves are off trees and then when oak tree leaves in spring, cut back fertility to none. Watering at this point should be minimal during summer, wait until the turf is wilting and then only give it half as much as you think. You will be happy with the results if you can get a decent stand before the next spring.

Finally, if you are feeling adventurous, we can try to apply some liquid sunshine in the form of exogenous carbohydrates. In this case, use fructose or corn syrup. You can mix 2 oz./gallon of water and spray on the turfgrass as the leaves return in the spring every 1-2 weeks. Do not water this in or apply before a rain, as you are looking for the plant to absorb the material though the leaves. Let me know how it goes.

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

Respectfully

Trey Rogers
The Yard Doctor