In the last year I had my entire backyard landscaped. The old back yard was completely killed off then almost 1.5 ft of soil was removed then more nice topsoil was brought in. This was done by a very good landscaper in our area. He did everything right, soil out, new soil in, put in a drain because across lower portion of yard due to slight slope in yard. Had JB sod brought in which is a 3 way blend of perennial rye grass. It was all laid correctly and rolled. The landscaper made the comment when the sod first got there that it wasnt as green as normal but shouldnt be a problem. They finish up the job and give us water and fertilizing directions which where followed. About 5 days in one spot in the middle of the yard had kind of died. He came back and cut that piece out and replaced it with the same sod but from a different delivery. About a month later I noticed that you couldnt even walk across the back yard becuase the grass was really sharp. On further inspection it looked like there was little hard dead sticks of grass sticking all through the yard that where a brownish tent. I told the landscaper and he said it was becuase the topsoil he brought in may have been a bit rich and the roots where taking longer to set up in it and to give it through one winter cycle and it should be perfect the following June which would be 1 year after installation. Well its may and the back yard looks like this.
[url=https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/yard2c.jpg/][img]https://img856.imageshack.us/img856/7900/yard2c.jpg[/img][/url]
Uploaded with [url=https://imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/url]
[url=https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/yard1s.jpg/][img]https://img594.imageshack.us/img594/2672/yard1s.th.jpg[/img][/url]
As you can see there are little dead patches all through the yard. The dead spots of grass are just white grass that just kind of fluffs away if you run your fingers through it and then you can the soil below it. The landscaper and Sod company both seemed a bit stumped and want to come out and rake the spots up and then seed over the whole yard with the same seed that the sod was made out of to match up. He wants to give it a few weeks to see if any progress is being made. Can anybody way in on what you think is going on. We had a totally normal summer and winter this year with no flooding or no extreme drought. I just want to get some perspective from others that are knowledgeable so I don't get screwed over.
-
chosenoneai
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri May 04, 2012 12:09 pm
- Location: Southern Oregon
-
chosenoneai
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri May 04, 2012 12:09 pm
- Location: Southern Oregon
You definitely had some disease pressure and lack of fertilizer, you may have some red thread now, easy to ID, just look for red thread like grass.
But I think you may have had some dollar spot disease at some point.
His recommendation to feed and reseed is correct.
Here is more info that will help:
Dollar Spot
Kentucky Bluegrass and Bermuda are susceptible to lawn damage from this fungal infection in humid areas. The brown/yellow circles are often small (about the size of a silver dollar). However, they may be spaced very close together covering a large area.
dollar spot lawn fungus
Shape: Round patterns
Season: Late spring, early summer, early fall and 60 to 75 degrees
Prevention:
A morning watering schedule
Keeping thatch to a minimum
Lawn aeration
Ensuring adequate levels of nitrogen
Remedy: Many fungicides including contact and penetrating varieties are effective for treatment if used early on. Most require multiple applications.
But I think you may have had some dollar spot disease at some point.
His recommendation to feed and reseed is correct.
Here is more info that will help:
Dollar Spot
Kentucky Bluegrass and Bermuda are susceptible to lawn damage from this fungal infection in humid areas. The brown/yellow circles are often small (about the size of a silver dollar). However, they may be spaced very close together covering a large area.
dollar spot lawn fungus
Shape: Round patterns
Season: Late spring, early summer, early fall and 60 to 75 degrees
Prevention:
A morning watering schedule
Keeping thatch to a minimum
Lawn aeration
Ensuring adequate levels of nitrogen
Remedy: Many fungicides including contact and penetrating varieties are effective for treatment if used early on. Most require multiple applications.
Hello chosenoneai. Ken here in the Chicago area. Welcome to the forum.
I question your landscaper’s choice of a high nitrogen fertilizer with the newly
seeded spots. The high nitrogen will burn the seed when it tries to come up. You
should wait a month after the seed germinates before you put down a high nitrogen
fertilizer. Check to see that the new seed comes up. Keep us posted on what happens.
Good luck and take care.
I question your landscaper’s choice of a high nitrogen fertilizer with the newly
seeded spots. The high nitrogen will burn the seed when it tries to come up. You
should wait a month after the seed germinates before you put down a high nitrogen
fertilizer. Check to see that the new seed comes up. Keep us posted on what happens.
Good luck and take care.