Hi folks

First time poster here, so be gentle with me!

I have put down 2 new lawns almost 1 year ago (each approx 5 yds x 4 yds. It was watered all through the very hot summer that we have just had and it looked absolutely brilliant until about 2 weeks ago.

A small patch appeared in the middle of one of the lawns. On closer inspection, at the edges of the patch the grass appears to be turning brown at the end of each piece of grass, and is not spreading quite quickly. One one lawn it is about a diameter of 1 yard. Grass is not completely dead within the patch, but about 50-60% is gone.

A small patch has started to appear on the other new lawn next to it (separated only by a path.

I have dismissed poor water supply, as the old lawn was dug out, and 2 inches of soil taken out and 2 tons of new topsoil added. Earlier in the summer I noticed some mushroom type thingys growing, but used a very diluted Verdone. Have also used Miracle Grow earlier in the year.

Any advice form wise of sages very much needed before the patch gets any bigger!!!

Kind regards

Welcome!!!
Do the effected areas have any circular patterns to them? If so is the grass dead in the ring or green in the ring and dead in the middle?
Also does it seem to have an orangy color to it, or a orange to red powdery substance that comes off when touched?
It could also be insects causing the damage so another couple of things you may want to check too; Grab a handful of grass and try to lift up the lawn like you would a carpet.
Also get down on your hands and knees, and spread the grass apart (as if you were parting hair) and look closely at the base of the plants, are there any insects flitting around? It is best to look for then in the area which is dying, but not dead yet.
Mentioning which area you are from would be very helpful so that possibly someone who is a bit closer to home, and may be a bit more knowledgeable in things which are happening in your locality could respond.

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Mike Maier
aka
The Plant Doc

It looks like a fungal problem. Very lush growth. Lots of water. Insufficient drainage perhaps or air circulation being less than perfect. Don't water the lawn so much and preferably do it in the morning so the grass leaves are not wet into the evening. If the fertiliser you use is very high in nitrogen, it may cause lots of lush, green growth but the grass is weak and susceptible to these types of problems. So fertilising with a high nitrogen fert at the end of spring can cause this lush growth just in time for Summer humidity.

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The secret is the soil.

It's called "Red Thread".

The controls are fairly simple, ranging from fertilizing and continued mowing.

I doubt that you want to use fungicides - spendy, and not ideal for soil.

Google

red thread turf fungus

You should find reams of pages, and the solutions will be easy to spot.

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M. D. Vaden of Oregon

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