Question
QUESTION: I live in West Texas... HOT!  We planted a new fescue lawn at the end of March. It has been going pretty good except now I've noticed some brown areas that look dead. I've been watering so I'm not sure if it's a insect problem or a need for fertilizer. Help?

ANSWER: That's a BIG state you have there, Melissa. PLEASE tell me which County you live in and I can narrow it down better.  I'm not clear which part of 'West Texas' you live in.  Some parts are very different from others.  rsvp - and we'll fix your Grass!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We live in Scurry County.

Answer
Scurry County, Texas, where everybody owns a Ranch and lives like J.R. Ewing.

Your Tall Fescue is the People's Choice primarily for Lawns in Dallas/Ft Worth and north.  Famously shade-tolerant, it needs PLENTY of water to get through those Sizzling Texas Temperatures.  Although the Summer has been blessedly cool-er, it does not change the fact that Highs THIS HIGH do not make Fescue happy.  Watering will keep Fescue running on schedule to a point.  But at some point, you have to give it a rest.  Heat is not Fescue's forte.  It's a cool season Grass.  It LOVES Maine.  It LOVES Montreal.  It's just not made to order for Scurry.  And it sounds like you are doing everything you can to max it out.

I should caution you on your irrigation diligence.  Melissa, be less diligent.  Although I understand your desire to keep your Fescue Green, if you keep watering like that, you may be in for a visit from a Fungus Monster.

Which one, who knows.  You don't want to know.  Slow down on the water.  It will give your Fescue a chance to slip into a survival dormancy until the Summer wanes.

Zoysia and Warm Season Grasses keep their cool in Summer, retaining their bright Green colors nonstop.  They don't look so good come Winter, though.  My neighbor is growing Zoysia, and his Lawn turns Brown in early Autumn practically overnight, and stays that way right into Spring.  Remember that when gazing wistfully at other people's currently verdant Lawns.

If you DO have any Fungus right now due to your zealous use of the house hose, less watering will save the rest of your Fescue from more Fungus.

Ease up, and things should improve.  When the air is more Fescue-friendly, water some more.  The rested Fescue will need it!