Question
We just had Sod put in about a month ago and we are having problems keeping it greem. I think it is a Fescue type of grass. Do you have any recommendations on how much we should water it?

We live in Northern Arizona but it still gets over a 100 for a good part of the summer.

Thanks
Barb

Answer
Hi Barb;
I thought fescues were cool weather grasses.
That may be the problem, if they are for cooler weather, and arizona is not known for cool summers, like Texas is.
We don't have fescues here, because of the heat.
I water deeply to encourage a deep root system. I water to a depth of at least 6 inches., and don't water again until the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
Deep roots help protect against heat, cold and drought damage.
Shallow watering causes the roots to come close to the surface to get water, and they die when it is too hot and dry, or too cold,
Some roots will come out of the ground and die, trap other debris and that is what causes a thatch buildup, then you have the big job of dethatching.
When you have a good, deep root system, and you don't get around to watering one week, or you go out of town for a few days, you won't come home to a dead lawn.
I water with soaker hoses so the water doesn't evaporate before it hits the ground. i lay out my pattern, and turn the water on for about an hour and a half( or however long it takes for it to start to run off the yard), then turn it off, and let it soak in for about an hour, then turn it on again.
I keep doing that until it is wetted down at least 6 inches deep.
I searched for recommended lawn grasses in arizona, and got this site that looks like good information for you.
I was right, fescues are cool season grasses, and the heat may be what is your biggest problem,
Go to this site and read the recommendations in there.

http://www.lawngrass.com/states/arizona.html

Hope this helps you.
Charlotte