Sounds like either hydrophobic soil or a pest/disease may have been your culprit. Pics may help, as well as knowing a little more background.
Bermuda issue
Alright so I'm new to these forums, but I wanted to see what some of you all think.. Until last year, the healthiest/best looking part of my backyard was exactly how I wanted it, but then all of a sudden it wouldn't respond to any water or fertilizer, became leggy, yellowish, and very thin.. I'll have to look to see if I have any pictures, because I was pretty pissed about how it looked, so I didn't really care to take many pictures of it. Unfortunately, it appears it may still be an issue. It probably receives the most, or as much sun as any other part of the yard and is extremely behind as far as early greening/growth. It's an area the size of 30 by 10ft or so. I live in Moore, OK and as far as I know, it's probably U3 Bermuda. or what ever came with the house in 2000.
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Unfortunately this is the best pic I've got from last year of that area. It doesn't look nearly as bad in this picture. I can take a few more when I get home in a couple hours of how it's acting now. Hopefully someone on here can identify an issue.
Also, what details would you like as far as the background?
For example, do you have irrigation, did you check the heads for coverage, was it raining frequently or a drought when the condition showed up, was it Summer or Fall when cooler temps and fungus may have been more prevalent, did you apply anything new to the lawn before this occurred or anything familiar that you may have been heavy handed with, did you put down grub poison last year, did you try a soapy water test or see any worms or numerous moths, etc.
I'm not trying to overwhelm you, but as you can see, there is a lot of information that may help to isolate the issue.
I'm not trying to overwhelm you, but as you can see, there is a lot of information that may help to isolate the issue.
+1Spammage said:For example, do you have irrigation, did you check the heads for coverage, was it raining frequently or a drought when the condition showed up, was it Summer or Fall when cooler temps and fungus may have been more prevalent, did you apply anything new to the lawn before this occurred or anything familiar that you may have been heavy handed with, did you put down grub poison last year, did you try a soapy water test or see any worms or numerous moths, etc.
I'm not trying to overwhelm you, but as you can see, there is a lot of information that may help to isolate the issue.
The more specific you can be will help us narrow down what could have caused this :thumbup:
Yes, irrigation was 100% as far as coverageSpammage said:For example, do you have irrigation, did you check the heads for coverage, was it raining frequently or a drought when the condition showed up, was it Summer or Fall when cooler temps and fungus may have been more prevalent, did you apply anything new to the lawn before this occurred or anything familiar that you may have been heavy handed with, did you put down grub poison last year, did you try a soapy water test or see any worms or numerous moths, etc.
I'm not trying to overwhelm you, but as you can see, there is a lot of information that may help to isolate the issue.
I started noticing it was behind as soon as it started greening in the spring, and it never improved. It appears it's going to be like this again this season based off the greenage so far.
Also, through August we had an insane amount of rain which is usually never the case. I had fertilized right before that, and the rest of the yard absolutely exploded, and that section didn't respond one bit.
I did nothing new to the yard as far as fertilizer and/or pre-emergent.
I have not put down any grub poison, nor did I try any other tests. Maybe that's something I could do soon. When is the best time to try to test for those?
I did not notice any different insects above ground that were just secluded to that area of the lawn.
I'll take a couple random pictures of the area, compared with what I'm seeing elsewhere in the lawn.. I've got one spot that is nearly bare of all growth, new and last years..
When you take your pic(s), try to push a screwdriver into the ground. That will help to determine if there is anything under the soil preventing the grass from thriving. Also, I noticed the dog, is this problem area where the dog usually relieves itself?
Not typically. He's a male, so he usually goes to one of the bushes. I do have a female, but it's completely random with her and not just in that spot. I'll try the screwdriver and see. It's been, by far, the healthiest part of the lawn for nearly 8-9 years until last season.Spammage said:When you take your pic(s), try to push a screwdriver into the ground. That will help to determine if there is anything under the soil preventing the grass from thriving. Also, I noticed the dog, is this problem area where the dog usually relieves itself?
I'm thinking it might be grubs or something similar. Try doing the soapy water test........ Take a bucket of water 2-3 gallons and mix in some dish soap 1-2 oz., mix it up and pour it over the area in question. You will want to do a small area like a 1x1 foot as you are trying to get to the soapy water down into the soil and the soap will irritate the worms and they will come to the surface. If you have a whole bunch of them then most likely you have an issue there.
Well did the soap and water. No grubs surfaced, just tons of earthworms.
Screwdriver test? It is strange that the area to the right (in the top pic) looks good, but 5-6 feet into the yard is where this seems to start. One other thing that crossed my mind, is this an area where you turn the D125 around multiple times?? It also appears to be a slight mound - do you notice crop circles when you mow?
No I've only used a push mower on the lawn but am looking at getting a d125. Also as far as a screwdriver, it sank right in there with no problem at all.Spammage said:Screwdriver test? It is strange that the area to the right (in the top pic) looks good, but 5-6 feet into the yard is where this seems to start. One other thing that crossed my mind, is this an area where you turn the D125 around multiple times?? It also appears to be a slight mound - do you notice crop circles when you mow?
I was thinking it may be too early for the grubs as they burrow down deep during the winter, hopefully we figure it out soonw0lfe said:Well did the soap and water. No grubs surfaced, just tons of earthworms.
When was, or are you planning to do, a soil test?
I have not done a soil test.. Any recommendations on one to purchase from Amazon or anywhere?Colonel K0rn said:When was, or are you planning to do, a soil test?
Just to follow up, I called the Oklahoma State extension office and am going to take them in some soil samples to see if they can find anything.. Results take around 2 1/2 weeks this time of year, but I'm hoping that something shows in this.. The master gardner I talked with on the phone also indicated it could be a possible fungal issue, so she's going to get back with me in a bit.
Patience grasshopper. That color is from cold weather.
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