Critical Lawn Theory
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Is the problem too much water, or not enough?
It looks like the brown areas are at the lower elevations. The lower elevations are usually wetter - the water runs downhill. So, maybe too much water.
Too much water can prevent needed air from getting to the roots. It will also slow root growth. The roots will grow to get to the water in the soil. If they don't need to grow, they won't, at least not as much.
I can never figure out whether my problem is too much or too little.
Since the base under the sod is so new, the brown areas might be firmer and don't hold the water, so there is not enough on the brown areas. If that is the case, aeration might help loosen the soil. Annual aeration is usually a good idea anyway.
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Is the problem too much water, or not enough?
It looks like the brown areas are at the lower elevations. The lower elevations are usually wetter - the water runs downhill. So, maybe too much water.
Too much water can prevent needed air from getting to the roots. It will also slow root growth. The roots will grow to get to the water in the soil. If they don't need to grow, they won't, at least not as much.
I can never figure out whether my problem is too much or too little.
Since the base under the sod is so new, the brown areas might be firmer and don't hold the water, so there is not enough on the brown areas. If that is the case, aeration might help loosen the soil. Annual aeration is usually a good idea anyway.
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@Friday said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Fungus?
Most likely, with dog urine providing the fertilizer.
I went back and looked, because I was wondering if he had St. Augustine grass. Sometimes, that will brown spot for different reasons.
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@Friday said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Fungus?
Most likely, with dog urine providing the fertilizer.
I went back and looked, because I was wondering if he had St. Augustine grass. Sometimes, that will brown spot for different reasons.
@Jolly said in Critical Lawn Theory:
@Friday said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Fungus?
Most likely, with dog urine providing the fertilizer.
I went back and looked, because I was wondering if he had St. Augustine grass. Sometimes, that will brown spot for different reasons.
Yes, that's what it is.
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Aerate the lawn then try a load of garden mix and hardy playground grass seed. Water the hell out of it and see what happens. If you’re not satisfied - then like Mik says, hardscape it. Lawns are way overrated.
Thinking of doing away with mine- or going to a low maintenance, low water ground cover. Have half the backyard that way - don’t love it but it is always green, needs virtually no water and as of last summer after four years, is truly low maintenance. You’ll have to check what is suitable for your growing zone. It’s a cheap fix but you need to kill off your existing lawn and weeds and rent a rototiller and roller, level it and get a load of garden mix and the seed. Mix and spread. Enjoy. It will be green.
@Renauda said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Aerate the lawn then try a load of garden mix and hardy playground grass seed. Water the hell out of it and see what happens. If you’re not satisfied - then like Mik says, hardscape it. Lawns are way overrated.
HOA rules are that I have to use their grass. I'll try aerating and fertilizing.
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@Renauda said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Aerate the lawn then try a load of garden mix and hardy playground grass seed. Water the hell out of it and see what happens. If you’re not satisfied - then like Mik says, hardscape it. Lawns are way overrated.
HOA rules are that I have to use their grass. I'll try aerating and fertilizing.
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Interesting. Is there something that makes their grass seed mix special?
I have no experience with HOAs. I think they probably exist here but only in outlying subdivisions built in the last twenty five years.
@Renauda said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Interesting. Is there something that makes their grass seed mix special?
I have no experience with HOAs. I think they probably exist here but only in outlying subdivisions built in the last twenty five years.
I think Mik is the expert. IIRC, he sits on his HOA board...
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@Renauda said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Interesting. Is there something that makes their grass seed mix special?
I have no experience with HOAs. I think they probably exist here but only in outlying subdivisions built in the last twenty five years.
I think Mik is the expert. IIRC, he sits on his HOA board...
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Interesting. Is there something that makes their grass seed mix special?
I have no experience with HOAs. I think they probably exist here but only in outlying subdivisions built in the last twenty five years.
@Renauda said in Critical Lawn Theory:
Interesting. Is there something that makes their grass seed mix special?
I am told that some other grass is considered invasive, including Kentucky blue grass. To remove risk, they dictate exactly what you must use.
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@Jolly said in Critical Lawn Theory:
I think Mik is the expert. IIRC, he sits on his HOA board...
And Copper on his, am I right?
@Catseye3 said in Critical Lawn Theory:
And Copper on his, am I right?
Chairman of the Communication Committee
I manage the Facebook group and web site.
And the welcome committee, which is the group who hand out coupons and a bottle of wine to new residents
And I know where the HOA rules are.
Here's one that surprises a lot of people: All roof vents shall be either painted black or another color matching the roof.
There are no white PVC pipes coming through our roofs, we are upscale!
