Very few of todays hybrid Fescues, or other turf grasses, are able to stand much drought and there is no reliable organic solution to controlling "weed" growth in lawns other than to grow a good thick turf. The mono culture that is todays lawn is not a good example of an organic lawn anyway.

kimmq is kimmsr

AFTER the drought, change your fescue for a less water-hungry grass. And consider decreasing lawn area as much as possible, in favor of drought tolerant landscaping.

If your HOA requires lawn, get the rules changed NOW.

Buffalo and blue grama are western natives that make a decent turf and need way less water than fescue or bermuda.

Thanks for the input, lazy_gardens. After your suggestion, I went on to YouTube and examined some videos showing Buffalo and Blue Grama grasses as lawns. Apparently they require much less water, and that's a definite plus, but I can't say I care for how it looks. I wonder how good it would look well-manicured? I am pretty partial to an emerald-green fescue lawn. If worse comes to worst, I'd probably replace the grass with a different kind of garden altogether as opposed to replacing it with a grass that goes brown in the winter. But I appreciate the suggestion.

If you are wanting 12 months of green "lawn" you won't get that with drought tolerant.

Mowed UC Verde grass looks good - depending on climate you have 9 months or so of green.

http://ucverdebuffalograss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/slider_41-946x360.jpg

Here's my UC Verde, after being mowed. It was planted a couple of months ago. So far I love it!

Akarinz, that lawn does look nice. What zone are you in? I'd be very curious to hear your progress reports as the seasons change.

I'm in Los Angeles County, based on my zip code I am in zone 10. I am also anxious to see the changes that will occur. Of course it depends on how cold the winter is, whether it browns out.

You could research reusing greywater to water your landscape