My lawn is dying off in patches. I'm stumped.

14 years ago

Wondering if anybody can discern an obvious solution. Some pics might help.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3999030451_5be18a563d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3999794302_7850ccd878_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3999794428_61157d8482_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3999794182_8287f2912f_o.jpg

Grubs? Maybe

I've noticed moths flying up as I mow. Thinking these were grubs, I treated for grubs a couple months back. I did find grubs in the lawn a couple years back when replacing some sprinkler heads.

Mow Height? No

I've got the mower set at the almost highest setting, and nearly always use the mulching setting.

Water? No

I water deeply 2x a week, and the localization of the dying doesn't really relate to water coverage

Anything else?

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Comments (6)

tiemco
14 years ago
OK, so it's getting enough water. I doubt it's grubs. Grubs turn into beetles, not moths. Can you pull up the dead grass relatively easily? You might want to pull up a square foot or two to check for them to be sure, but the die off looks localized, grubs damage is usually more widespread and patchy. Personally I don't subscribe to the mow highest setting, especially with mulch mowing, and especially when it's very humid. The only obvious things left are fungal disease, or localized dry spots. I am not sure what your weather has been like, but if it has been very humid with warm nights it might be fungus, especially if you water at night. Fall is typically not fungus season, unless you have the right conditions. Localized dryspot is something I am vaguely familiar with, but basically it is an area where water has a hard time getting into the soil for a few reasons. I would do a search regarding this subject to learn more. Hope this helps.
garycinchicago
14 years ago
>"I've noticed moths flying up as I mow"

This could be sod web worms. When you notice moths that fly up because you are scaring them, you need to check the soil surface for bright green eggs.

tiemco gave you the pathogen thoughts. Another thought is poa annua infestation burning out from the summer heat.
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sailor86
14 years ago
If the grubs ARE beetles, as mine have been ID'd as, what's the solution?
shawnharper
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks all. Hmm, so not grubs eh. I'll dig up a small area and check for sure.

I'll check for the sod web worms when I mow this weekend.

I've checked when watering, and those areas do get coverage. I also aerated the lawn 3-4 months ago, so those areas should be getting water.

I guess fungus might be it. I water from ~4-6AM, but it's not really ever humid here in Nor Cal.

poa annua infestation? I'll have to do some research on that - never heard of it.

Any comments on the dethatching? Is that needed in areas where the grass doesn't die back in the winter?

Thanks again,
Shawn
tiemco
14 years ago
There are several products on the market that kill grubs sailor86. You apply them like fertilizer. I think fall is the time to do it too. Do a little online research and you will figure it out.

As for you shawn, sure is a stumper of a lawn problem you got there. What is the soil like where the patches are dying? Is it rocky? Does a six inch screwdriver go into the soil fairly easy? If so, it's probably not localized dry spots, plus with the aerating it's hard to imagine that is the reason. I am still leaning toward a fungal disease. I am sure that it didn't go brown overnight, how did it look before the browning? Was it darker, thinner, and brittle looking? Any cottony weblike things in the grass in the morning before it turned brown? Looks like most of it is on the border of the flower bed and the lawn. That might have something to do with it.
shawnharper
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks tiemco - I agree that the browning along the edges is suspect. A screwdriver does go down easy in those areas, but not as easy as the others, but probably just because being less "grassy" makes them dry out faster.

Since I took those photos on ~Oct 9, the areas are starting to recover somewhat. Maybe a "Fall" thing, as the weather is starting to turn cooler.

Will report back after the mowing this weekend.

My lawn is dying off in patches. I'm stumped.

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tiemco

garycinchicago

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My lawn is dying off in patches. I'm stumped.

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tiemco

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