In Oct. (zone 10a)we planted a 1/3 of a large back lawn from seed (creeping red fescue) after ripping out/rounduping the existing fescue - Bermuda grass. A full lawn took about five weeks.

We over-seeded on the first go round ( with the theory one for us and one for the birds). Then we watered twice a day for two weeks - at that point we could see what had germinated and what had not. Then we over/re-seeded in the areas that hadn't germinated and watered those areas twice daily for two more weeks.

How much did you water during the five weeks and what was the temperature? From my research the ideal temperature for cool season grass like fescue is in the 70s and we were in the high 70s, low 80s when we planted. And, also from research it seems like the best way to have a successful germination is to really water a lot the first two weeks.

Definitely recommend re-seeding ( more than recommended) and watering a lot.. unless the temperature is too low in your area. If that is the case just wait till spring!

some fescues can be slow growing but it looks like germination was not good or maybe areas got too dry?