[markgl100]

I had a new lawn installed last May 2017. Over the winter it has suffered (Seattle - relatively mild winter). The lawn seems to have suffered in a particularly linear way in that I can kind of see lines of grass/lines of bare soil. The photo shows the comparison. It does appear like some of the grass has rotted and I may not have picked up the last cuts in the fall successfully. There are tall trees around the garden and they do produce pine needles but I have tried to keep on top of raking them up.
Any thoughts?
The soil given the sod only went in last year looks compact so I may look to rent an aerator before top dressing in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Ware]

I moved this over to the Cool Season subforum where it will probably get more traction. Welcome to TLF! :thumbsup:

 

[SNOWBOB11]

Does the lawn get a lot of shade from the pine trees? Also how is the drainage for the lawn?

 

[markgl100]

Shade - not particularly.
Drainage - pretty good given the slope. It generally drains down toward the wall you can see on the left of the picture. It did feel wet toward the back end of the summer so I reduced the sprinklers. I will be looking to rezone the sprinklers so the right side of the picture can we watered while the left side is not. I had thought of drainage/shade but the interesting thing is the issues is all over the lawn, not is one specific area or another.

 

[markgl100]

I can take an up close photo to help show the soil compaction (or lack of compaction). And I've ordered a soil tester.

 

[ABC123]

What's your average temperature and winters like? Disease pressure can be a big issue here.

 

[pennstater2005]

Also, is your lawn still waking up? It could potentially thicken up and surprise you. Mine looks rough certain years but warmer temps and a dose of nitrogen when appropriate always help.

 

[Green]

I had something similar after the snow melted. I looked it up, and I think I know what caused it. Could be the same in your case, vole trails (field mice). They tend to burrow under the snow and chew the grass as they go to make a pathway. If there's a wooded area adjacent to the lawn and some of the lines lead to it, that could be the reason. They normally wouldn't go into unprotected areas without snow cover. It's also posdible that chipmunks or squirrels might do something similar.

 

[Turfguy93]

Do you know what type of grass was installed in your yard last May?